Question Number: 25691

Law 11 - Offside 10/31/2011

RE: competive High School

pascal of medford, ma usa asks...

Can the opposing defense establish a defensive line in the opponents half of the field, and a striker standing past the half line be in an offside position?

Follow up question: Attacking striker in past the half line, the defensive line has been established in the attacking zone, past the half line. Is the attacking Striker offsides if he receives the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Pascal
I have come across this myth that a player cannot be offside in the opponents' half if all the defending players are in the opponents' half!!. That is totally incorrect. A striker standing in the opponents half with only the goalkeeper in that half is in an offside position as he is nearer to his opponents? goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent
So when the player interferes with play by touching the ball he must be called offside.
The only time that offside does not apply is from a goal kick, throw in or corner kick or when a player is in his own half. Offside applies at all other times.
So on your follow up question it is definitely offside.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Coach:

An attacker is not in offside position if in his or her own half when the ball is touched by a team mate. A very high back line can end in disaster.

But, an attacker who is in the opponent's half, closer to the opponent's goal line than the second last defender and the ball, is in offside position.



High school rules are the same for this as under the laws of the game.