Question Number: 25597

Law 11 - Offside 10/13/2011

RE: rec/travel Under 12

ed guidi of watervliet, ny usa asks...

if my goalie makes a save and then punts it over all players on the fields heads to almost mid field and my player gets to it first is this considered off sides? example:
we played 7v7 and the other coach had all 7 players up trying to score. I keep all 3 strikers at the midfield line. my goalie makes the save and runs to the edge of the goalie box and punts it to her teammates. we got called for offsides 4-5 times during the game. Thank you

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Offside applies at punts, because the ball was not out of play. If your player was in an offside position at the time of the punt and then participates in play, offside should be called.

I note that you say the players were at midfield. Make sure they are on their own side of the half line and they are not in an offside position, regardless of the location of the opponents.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Ed
A punt is part of open play so offside applies in the same way as another other pass or touch of the ball. Offside does not apply on a goal kick, corner kick or a throw in.
In addition a player cannnot be offside in his/her own half so players should be coached to stay in their own half until the ball is played by their team mate in these cases the goalkeeper.