Question Number: 25103

Law 11 - Offside 6/14/2011

RE: Rec

Rob of Toronto, ON Canada asks...

Hi there,
Can a player be called offside if he receives the ball directly from his goalkeeper by a throw or kick from his hands?

Thanks,
Rob

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Yes. If the other elements for offside are present. The exceptions are receiving the ball directly from: (1) a corner kick, (2) a goal kick, or (3) a throw-in.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rob
This ia a fundamental of Law 11. A player in an offside position is penalised if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play.
The only exceptions are a corner kick, throw in or a goal kick.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Absolutely if he is in an offside position when the ball is kicked or thrown. The only time a player in an offside position cannot be called for an offside offense if he becomes actively involved in play is if he receives the ball directly from a teammate at a goal kick, corner kick, or throw-in

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Presuming by the kick or throw you mean when the goalkeeper has held the ball in hand, then yes, offside still applies.

Offside does not apply when receiving the ball directly from a throw-in, goal kick or corner kick. The goalkeeper can execute any of those restarts, so if that was what you meant by kick or throw, the answer to your question is no.

In addition, there can be no offside at a kickoff or a penalty kick, because players are not allowed to line up in an offside position.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Having the keeper throw the ball, which is in play, from his PA does not exempt his teammate from offside violations, any more than having the keeper kick a ball from his PA which is not a goal kick (placed on/in the goal area after the ball has left the field over the goal line last touched by an opponent) exempts the teammate.

If the keeper is the one taking a throw-in (ball has left the field over the touchline last touched by an opponent) the exemption applies, because when the keeper is taking a throw it is as if he is any other player.