Question Number: 24176

Law 11 - Offside 10/17/2010

RE: High School

Gwen of Alpharetta , georgia USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 24124

An attacker is in an offside position at the time her kicks the ball to her. She receives the ball after it comes in contact with an opponent. Is offside called against her is she is in a position of advantage when the ball bounces off an opponent or is kicked/headed to her by an opponent? What does control by the defense have to do with an attacker being guilty of offside? Seems to be confusion by fellow refs in the field, some experienced too.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Gwen
Clearly if the defence gains control of the ball any possible offside infraction has passed and the player in an offside position did not meet all of the conditions for offside to be called. The Law allows for a player to be in an offside position and that is not an offence. To be called for offside the player must also interfere with play or an opponent.
When the control of the ball passes to the opponents they have not been infringed against and simply gets on with play. The team that is in control of the ball is subject to any offside consideration.
What Law 11 allows for is that if the ball deflects off an opponent or the frame of the goal to a player in an offside position from a team mate then that player is called offside when she touches the ball. The deflection/rebound is control and does not reset the offside.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Gwen: 'gains an advantage' from an offside position has a very specific meaning. It means touching the ball after it rebounds off the goalposts/crossbar or after the ball deflects off an opponent. Nothing else.

After an opponent obtains clear possession and controls of the ball, all opponents may lawfully become involved in play. They lose that right if they again are in an offside position when a teammate next touches the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

'Contact with an opponent' sounds like a deflection, and as such does not reset the offside position for your player.