Question Number: 22919

Law 11 - Offside 3/9/2010

RE: Rec Under 11

Louie of College Station, TX USA asks...

Is there offside during a direct kick, indirect kick, or throw-in.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

There can be no offside offense directly from a throw-in, corner kick or goal kick.

By directly, the Law means the ball went directly to the player in an offside position - was not touched by anyone else.

Offside position is different from offside. It is not an offense to be in an offside position, which is closer to the goal line that the ball and the second to last defender in the attacking half of the field.

If a player is in an offside position, and receives the ball directly from a direct or indirect free kick by a teammate, they will be called for offside.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Loui
If a player receives the ball directly from a team mate at a throw in, corner kick or goal kick there cannot be an offside infraction even if the player receiving the ball is in an offside position.
Offside consideration does apply however on all free kicks either direct or indirect.
I would refer you to FIFA excellent resource on law 11 at
http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/lawsofthegame.html

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

There are no exceptions to Law 11 for direct and indirect free kicks, and a player can be offside by participating in play when in an offside position at the time of the free kick.

The exception for a throw-in concerns receiving the ball from a throw-in directly - - before it is touched again by any teammate.