Question Number: 25289

Law 11 - Offside 8/7/2011

RE: Rec Under 12

Jim Soholt of Campbell, California USA asks...

Player A is in an offside position when his teammate shoots. The shot is blocked, but not controlled, by the 'keeper (or rebounds off any other player). The ball rebounds to Player A who shoots and scores. Offside?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jim
This is offside as Player A has received the ball from a team mate while in an offside position at the moment of the last touch by his team mate which is the fundamental requirement of Law 11. The rebound has not reset the offside as it is not controlled and it is covered under 'gaining an advantage by being in that position' under Law 11.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

There's a huge difference between 'blocked by the keeper' and 'bounces off ANY other player'. If the keeper does not control the ball and A touches the ball, he will be guilty of an offside offence for gaining an advantage by being in an offside position. If the ball bounces off a teammate the offside equation is reset and A's position must be re-evaluated. He may no longer be in an offside position and allowed to play the ball

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

A player in offside position at the time of the shot may not participate in play when the ball deflects off an opponent.

If the ball touches a teammate, however, the referee will have to determine whether the player was in offside position at the time the teammate touched the ball.