Question Number: 25535

Law 11 - Offside 10/1/2011

RE: competitive Under 14

David of Coquitlam , BC Canada asks...

Offside rule.

Offensive player 'A' is in an offside position.

The defensive player is bringing the ball out of 18 yard box, and kicks the ball, it deflects off the back of an offensive player directly to the offensive player 'A' who is standing in an offside position. Who turns around and shoots and scores a goal. Since the ball was kicked by the defensive player, is it a good goal or an offside??

Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi David
As you know Law 11 it makes no reference to intention or the touch/play being deliberate.
Law 11 states that 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 last player to touch the ball in your scenario is a team mate of Player A. When Player A gets involved in active play from that touch by a team mate offside must be called.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

While the ball was kicked by the defender, it was touched by the attack. This is all that's important - a touch.

Therefore, whether that player meant to touch the ball is irrelevant; if an attacker touched it, we can start thinking about offside. If it goes to a teammate in an offside position who becomes involved in active play, then there's an offence.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi David. When is offside judged? At the moment the ball is TOUCHED or played by a teammate. Was player A in an offside position when the ball touched his teammate in the back? If so, player A may not participate in play. No goal. Offside.