Question Number: 24583

Law 11 - Offside 2/14/2011

RE: Intermediate Under 11

Phil of Reseda, CA United States asks...

Offside questions: A1 (onside) kicks the ball & A3 is offside. The ball is kicked toward D1 & A2 (not offside). After the ball is kicked by A1, but before the ball reaches D1/A2, A3 has run back onside.
2 scenerios:
1) Ball deflects off D1 & goes to A3 (who is already onside). Offside infringement?
2) Ball deflects off A2 & goes to A3 (who is already onside). Offside infringement?
Thanks,
Phil

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

1) Yes, offside. There is nothing that A3 can do himself that will reset offside. He was in an offside position at the time the ball was last touched or played by a teammate. The deflection off an opponent does not change that.

2) Not offside. When the ball was last touched/played by a teammate (A2), A3 was no longer in an offside position, even though he was in an offside position when A1 played the ball. His offside position is reevaluated at each and every touch of the ball by teammates.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

1. Of course it's offside. As a referee you KNOW a player cannot put himself onside. Since he was in an offside position when the ball was played by a teammate he cannot participate in play until offside resets. A deflection off D1 does NOT reset offside.

2. If A3 is onside when the ball touches A2, which I think is what you're saying, then offside has reset and no offside offense

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
1. A3 must be called offside for interfering with play when he touches the ball. A deflection does not reset offside nor can a player put himself back onside. He must wait until the ball goes out of play, or a new phase of play has begun or the opponents gain control of the ball.
2. A3 is not offside as the ball was last played by A2 (another phase of play) and when A2 touched the ball A3 was in an onside position.