Question Number: 23260

Law 11 - Offside 5/4/2010

RE: Rec, competitive Under 17

Greg of Rockwall, Tx USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 22773

I think a mistake was made. It was stated that 'A team mate of the kicker for a GK may be in an offside position. While he may not for an IFK' This is backwards. According to the Laws of the Game, there is no offsides on a goal kick, corner kick, or throw in. Just wanted to clarify.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Ah, the vagarity of language hits again. I recall an instructor asking the class, 'Can you be offside on a throw-in?' The class answered yes, thinking the question meant, 'Would you be OK receiving the ball in an offside position directly from a throw-in?' The instructor wanted the answer to be no, because she was really asking, 'Does offside apply at a throw-in?'

Actually, the statement is true no matter what kind of kick it is: 'A player may be in an offside position.' As you note, if that player is in an offside position at a goal kick, there is no offense. But at an indirect (or direct) free kick, the offside offense does apply. This contrary to the instructions of a U12 coach this weekend who was encouraging his players to go offside on free kicks. Too bad the ball never went through to one of them so we could have corrected his mistake.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

What referee Stagliano meant was a teammate of the kicker may be in offside position but not punished if he receives the ball from a goal kick but if he is in offside position when an IDFK is taken, he will be punished for an offside infraction if he actively involves himself in play. What Referee Stagliano said is accurate.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Since it is not an offense to be in an offside position, the question is really will this player be punished for the position if he gets involved in play? This is what the 'While he may not for an IFK.' was meant to convey, i.e. a player in an OSP for a free kick is NOT exempt from an offside offense if she receives the ball directly from the kick.

On corner kicks, goal kicks or throw-ins if the player in an offside position receives the ball directly from the restart there can be no offside. But if the player is in an OSP on a free kick restart for his own team, and receives the ball directly, he will be called for offside. (There is no 's' on offside, please.)

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Greg, Ref Stagliano said: A team mate of the kicker for a GK may be in an offside position. While he may not for an IFK.
You and the Laws are also saying that. Since there is no offside for a GK, he could be in that position without (without infraction). But in the case of IFK he will be penalized if he becomes active so he cannot be in that position and that is what Ref Stagliano said.