Question Number: 18008

Law 11 - Offside 11/26/2007

RE: High School

Kevin of Hattiesburg, MS USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 17919

If the player was onside when his teamate kicked the ball, and a defender tried to head the ball and it deflected off the top of his head to another attacker who is now behind the defender with only the goalie in front of him. Is this now offides?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Where was "another attacker" when the ball was last touched by a teammate? Although you state the intended target was onside, you don't say anything about the player who eventually got the ball. Without knowing this critical fact, no determination of offside can be made.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

We need to know where the "another attacker" was at the moment the ball was played by his teammate. It matters not where he was when the opponent deflected the ball, only where he was when teammate played it.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Not enough information. Where was the other attacker standing in relation to the defenders and the ball at the moment it was played by the attacking teammate, not when it was deflected by the defender?