Question Number: 25260

Law 11 - Offside 7/27/2011

RE: Select Under 15

Bruce of Chino, Ca USA asks...

If a player is in the offside position and receives the ball from the opposing team via pass or turnover, not deflection from a teammate, should the play be called offside?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bruce
A player in an offside position is only 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 key in that sentence is played/touched by one of his team. Clearly if he receives the ball from a pass from an opponent that cannot be offside.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Coach: When a player on one team has possession and control of the ball, every player on the opposing team is eligible to participate in play. Not offside.

Offside position and eligibility to interfere with play will be considered again the next time a teammate touches the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

It is not an offense to be in an offside position. The position is only half the equation. The other half is what the player in the offside position does to get involved IF and WHEN the ball is last touched or played by a teammate before it goes to or toward the player in an offside position. Without both halves, there is no whole - thus no offside call.

If it wasn't a teammate who last touched or played the ball, then there can be no offside against the player in the offside position. It really is just that simple.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Coach. Offside is ONLY judged at the moment the ball is touched or played by a teammate. In your example the ball is played and controlled by the opponents. Offside should not be a consideration in this case.

Remember the first line in Law 11 is: It is not an offense in itself to be in an offside position.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 25271