Question Number: 24842

Law 11 - Offside 4/20/2011

RE: pro High School

lionel of san antonio, texas usa asks...

is it considred offsides if both feet are be hind the defender but his shoulders and head arent??

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

When considering offside positioning you look at any parts of the body that legally may play the ball. Feet and head are legal so you consider both. Also, don't forget we must consider the attacker's relationship to the position of the ball as well as the next to last opponent and must be in the attacking half of the field.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

If any part of the attacker's head , body, OR feet is closer to the opponent's goal line than any part of the defender (excluding arms), the attacker is closer. The location of the feet is not the deciding factor.

NFHS (high school) rules are the same as under the laws of the game.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Lionel
"Nearer to his opponents' goal line" means any part of a player's
head, body or feet is nearer to his opponents' goal line than both the
ball and the second-last opponent. The arms are not included in this
definition. Only parts of the body capable of playing the ball legally are included.