Question Number: 20100

Law 11 - Offside 9/29/2008

RE: recreational under 12 Under 13

caphart of Siloam Springs, AR USA asks...

If a ball bounces off of the goalie can the attacker kick the ball in? If it was a long put through and a player was just barely offsides (really fast runner) but on oppisite side of the play. Can either that player or another player clean up the goalie mess up?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Just barely offside is still offside. If the player in an offside position when the ball was last touched by a teammate becomes involved in play, offside is called. There are 3 ways to become involved in play:
-- Interfering with play
-- Interfering with an opponent
-- Gaining an advantage when the ball rebounds or deflects off the goal or an opponent, including the goalkeeper.

Sounds like the third one applied.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

You don't say WHEN the player was barely offside. It only matters if he was offside when the ball was played by his teammate. If he was not offside at that time he may participate in play. If he was offside when the ball was played by his team mate he MAY not participate in play

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Offside is cut and dried, the restriction of a positional determination is in place or there none at all.
If the attacker was in an offside position at the moment that long ball contacts your foot on its journey down field that attacker is unable to take advantage of that keeper mistake because he is offside restricted.
Cheers

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 17604