Question Number: 23530

Law 11 - Offside 6/21/2010

RE: osl Adult

rob of toronto, canada asks...

can you clarify the following whether offside or not:

at the moment attacking player A (APA)kicks ball toward goal attacking player B(APB) is onside. APB continues his run to goal as ball approaches goal area defender A(DA) attempts to clear ball but deflects to APB who through his run got behind second last defender. APB scores a goal should it be allowed.

basically does DA touch on ball now put APB in an offside position or is the deflection irrelevant because when it was first kicked by APA, APB was not in an offside position

thanks

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The position of the players is rejudged everytime a new attacker touches the ball. Since Attacker B was onside during the last touch of his teammate, he is good to go. The defender touching the ball means nothing.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rob
Offside is determined at the last touch by an attacking player APA. If APB is in an onside position at that touch then he cannot be offside even if the ball deflects off a defender to him having moved into an offside position. The deflection by the defender is irrelevant in this scenario
I might also add that it is a matter of judgement where APB was positioned when the ball was last played by his team mate. Forwards will always be of the opinion that they were in an onside position when the ball was played. If the referee does not have the benefit of neutral assistants he can be viewing play by APA and then sees the ball deflect to APB who recieves it in a offside position. That can be a very difficult call without the benefit of assistants to determine where APB was when the ball was last played by a team mate.