Question Number: 23393

Law 11 - Offside 5/29/2010

RE: select Under 10

rebecca of Hinsdale, Illinois USA asks...

My daughter was in a potential offside position when her teammate shot at the goal. The goalie tried to hold down to the ball, but it deflected from her and my daughter followed up with a successful shot. The ref called her "offsides," and nullified the goal. Was he correct?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rebecca
This is most definitely offside and it is covered under Law 11's "Gaining an advantage by being in that position"
The term means playing a ball that rebounds to her off a goalpost or the crossbar having been in an offside position or playing a ball that rebounds to her off an opponent having been in an offside position. In this case the opponent is the goalkeeper.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Yes. A player in offside position may not play the ball that deflects off an opponent or the goalpost. The term for this is 'gaining an advantage.'

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Were your daughter in an offside ( no 's') position when the ball was played by her teammate, this is the classic example of gaining an advantage by being in an offside position. The opposing keeper never had control of the ball. In order for offside to NOT have been called, the keeper would have had to control the ball which she did not. Good call