Question Number: 25431

Law 11 - Offside 9/15/2011

RE: competive Adult

tom jones of cork, ireland asks...

If a striker is behind the goal line (i.e of the field) is he in an offside position?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Players off the field are considered to be on the boundary line for purposes of assessing offside.

If the attacker was beyond the goal line, his position is evaluated as if he were on the line. If there are 2 defenders also on the line, then he is even with the second to last defender and thus not in an offside position. However if there are not two defenders there, and the ball is not on the line, then he would be considered to be in an offside position.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Tom
Any player leaving the field of play for any reason without the referee's permission shall be considered to be on his own goal line or touch line for the purposes of offside until the next stoppage in play.
So in the case of a forward he is placed on the goal line which can be in an offside position depending on the position of defenders and the ball and that only has a bearing if the player subsequently becomes involved in active play. If he stays in that position behind the goal line and does nothing then there is no offside.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

a player over the goal line off the field is considered to be ON the goal line for offside purposes