Question Number: 18330

Law 11 - Offside 2/4/2008

RE: rec Adult

ian maher of limerick, asks...

i was always told that regarding the offside rule that 2 defending players must be behind the ball and one of them must be the goalkeeper.is this true or has the rule changed
thank you

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

It was never true that the goalkeeper had to be counted as one of the 2 defenders who set the offside line. Law 11 mentions 2 opponents - it doesn't say that one of them has to dress funny.

The fact of the matter is that the goalkeeper is often the last defender. But that may change when she makes a play for the ball. She may go for a ball that is out near the top of the penalty area, but doesn't get to it in time. The opponent dinks the ball past her to another opponent who is behind the keeper, but ahead of the sweeper (the only other defender). Offside - and the referee will hear the howls of protest about the sweeper who was the "last defender".

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Actually the location of the ball doesn't matter where opponents are concerned. If you are not nearer their goal line than any two of them you can't be in an offside position. If you are not nearer their goal line than the ball you can't be in an offside position regardless how many opponents are there.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Law 11 Offside refers only to "Opponents" of which the goalkeeper may or may not be considered. Doesn't say the keeper MUST be one as you apparantly were incorrectly told. The location of the ball when considering offside also has nothing to do with the opponents. It only matters where the attacking players are in relation to the ball. For a player to be in offside position he must : be in the attacking half of the field, nearer the opponents goal than the next to last opponent and be nearer the opponents goal than the ball. It is not an offense to merely be in offside position. A player in offside position may not becaome actively involved in play. Offside, not position, is judged at the moment the ball is played or touched by a teammate. Hope this helps

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