Question Number: 25412

Law 11 - Offside 9/11/2011

RE: Competitive Under 15

Allan of Brisbane, Qld Australia asks...

This question is a follow up to question 22940

I know that you cannot be offside from a goal kick. Does this include when the goalie saves the ball and then kicks it downfield out of his hands? Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Allan
No. When the goalkeeper has the ball in his hands it is in open play and offside applies. It is only from restarts where the ball has gone out of play that offside does not apply ie goal kick, throw in and corner kick. Offside applies at all other times.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

No. The exceptions to offside all involve restarts after the ball has gone out of play (goal kick, corner kick, throw in). All involve receiving the ball directly - - meaning that no other player yet has touched the ball. Once any player has touched the ball (after the goal kick, corner kick or throw-in has been taken), the regular conditions for offside position apply.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

A goal kick is given when the ball goes over the end line, last touched by the attacking team, and a goal was not scored. If the goalkeeper makes a save and then kicks the ball out, that is not a goal kick. That is ongoing play.

There can be no offside when the ball is received directly from a goal kick, corner kick or throw-in.

There is no offside exemption for the goalkeeper distributing the ball after a save.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Allen. That's not a goal kick, it's a punt during play. The only times offside position cannot become an offside offense is at 3 specific restarts:

goal kick
throw in
corner kick