Question Number: 25106

Law 11 - Offside 6/17/2011

RE: Rec Under 17

Robert Reiley of Gainesville, VA USA asks...

Attacking player A is in an offside position.
Defending player D accidentally passes the ball to Attacking player A.
Attaching player A scores.
Offside or goal?
Does it make a difference if the defending team passes the balls to the attacking team with respect to offside?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Goal, assuming the accidental pass by defender D was a controlled play of the ball as opposed to a deflection after having been played by a teammate. The defender made a mistake and the attacker was able to capitalize on it. Offside does not apply when an opponent plays the ball to an attacker, only when a teammate does.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Robert
The ball has been deliberately played to an opponent in an offside position so offside does not apply. The goal is good.
It can only be offside if the touch by the oppoent was a deflection or a rebound off a ball last touched/played by a team mate of the PIOP.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If the defending team has control of the ball in their half of the field offside on the attackers isn't ever a consideration. Remember 2 things about offside Coach and it will help with your understanding of Law 11;
1. It is NOT an offense to be in an offside position.
2. Offside is ONLY judged when a TEAMMATE touches or plays the ball.

And, are you sure the attacker was in an offside position? In order to be in an offside position he would have to have been nearer your goal line than BOTH your second to last defender and the ball which means your player had to pass the ball backwards which happens.