Question Number: 17940

Law 11 - Offside 11/17/2007

RE: Play for Fun Under 15

Scott Lomas of Holyhead, Wales United Kingdom asks...

If an attacking player is behind the goalkeeper when the ball is played with none of the defending team between him and the goal, is it classed as offside or not??

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Scott,
the keeper is but one of 11 opponents when it comes to deciding the positional criteria of offside. It is quite possible to be inbehind the keeper and be onside but in your description you say there are no opponents when the ball is played.?
While we must determine Who played that ball and was that ball closer to the opposing goal line if no opponents are in the mix that attacker could be in an offside position based on your description.

You understand that perception of circumstances require clarification to give a definate answer.

An attacker can run into what looks like an offside position *AFTER* a ball is played by his team mate.
An attacker could be recieving a pass where the ball was closer to the opposing goalline and cut back into his path. With no two opponents the ball becomes that invisable offside line acros the field you see on video.

I highly recommend you go to the fifa.com site and click the laws of the game tag, then click the offside interactive video it is very clear and simple. I also suggest that you click on and read our own ref Fleischer's words on offside on the front page of our website.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

If the attacker is closer to goal line than the ball and 2nd last defender and on attacking half, then he is in an offside position. Uusally the keeper is 2nd last defender, but not always. Here it is clear that the attacker is closer to the goal line than not only the second last defender, but both defenders. This is clearly being in an offside position and now if he gets invovled in play, an infraction will be called.

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