Question Number: 24823

Law 11 - Offside 4/16/2011

RE: Competitive Under 14

Michelle of Pittsburgh, PA USA asks...

If a player is in an off sides position when a ball is player to him by a teammate, but the ball hits a defender then goes to the player that was in the off sides position, should that be called off sides? I though that if there was a deflection then the player was not called off sides.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Michelle
The reflection or rebound off an opponent makes no difference on offside. Offside is only reset when the opponents gain control/possession of the ball
So in your example the offside will be called when the player in an offside touches the ball that has been deflected to him.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Offside position is reconsidered each time the ball touches a teammate. But, not when the ball deflects off an opponent or the goal. An attacker will become onside if the defender gains possession and control of the ball.

Playing the ball after it deflects off an opponent is considered offside for 'gaining an advantage from an offside position.'

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

No Michelle a deflection off an opponent does not negate offside. The defender must control the ball to reset offside. A deflection doesn't count.