Question Number: 22582

Law 11 - Offside 11/24/2009

RE: Competive Under 15

Evan of Clifton, NJ USA asks...

Where is the ball placed for the free kick after an offside infraction is called? I assumed that it would be placed at the point where the infraction occurred, i.e. where the offending player touched the ball or otherwise became involved in the play. Yet I've seen other referees place the ball where the offending player was originally in an offside position, even though there was no infraction at that point in time.

I was AR at a game last week where the offensive player was just over the center line in an offside position when a through ball was played in his direction. He chased after the ball with a teammate and two defenders just behind him. I didn't raise my flag until he finally caught up with the ball just outside the penalty area (at any point it was possible for him to pull up and let his teammate, who had been onside, play the ball).

I indicated that the ball should be placed for the kick just outside the penalty area where the infraction occurred. The CR overruled me and placed the ball back near the center line where the player was originally in an offside position.

Who is correct?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

It is at the point where the infraction occurred. However, that's not where you think it is. It's the offside position where the player was when the ball was last touched by a teammate. That's because Law 11 says, '... at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team ...' That's the time the offside position is determined, and that's the restart location, even if the infraction is completed by being involved in active play at a later time/place.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

You are correct when you say at the point where the infraction occurred. In virtually every memo, paper, law book etc. we are taught the restart is from the spot where the offside positioned player was when the ball was played or touched by his teammate. It is NEVER placed where the ball was finally touched and somehow along the line, you missed this very important concept. The referee was absolutely correct. Here is an excerpt from Advice To Referees published this year:

11.13 LOCATION OF THE RESTART FOR OFFSIDE
Offside is punished where the infringement occurred. In other words, the indirect free kick should be
taken from the place where the offside player was when the teammate played the ball. The kick should
not be taken from the place where the second-to-last defender was nor where the player was at the
moment the offside was called.

You are a USSF referee and Advice is our soccer bible. It is your responsibility to view USSF documents and keep up with changes. This isn't even a change, this is gospel