Question Number: 26131

Law 11 - Offside 4/2/2012

RE: select Under 19

dave of san diego, ca usa asks...

A defensive team pushes up to the center line leaving 1 offensive player behind them in the offside position attempting to return to his half of the field. Before this player returns to their onside position a defensive player attempts to play a ball back to their own sweeper which is mishandled and the ball squirts back to the offensive player in the offside position. Is the player no longer offsides because the ball was played by the opposite team to him or is he offside regardless who played him the ball? What is the general rule on this as well?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Dave
A player can only be offside on a ball that has been played or touched by a team mate. In this case as the ball has been deliberately played by an opponent the player in an offside position cannot be called offside and play continues.
When however the ball is played by a team mate and the ball simply deflects or rebounds off an opponent then a player in an offside position will be called offside when he touches the ball or interferes with an opponent.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

A player in offside position again becomes eligible to participate in play (a) when the ball is possessed and controlled by an opponent, (b) when the ball goes out of play; or (c) if in onside position the next time the ball touches a teammate.

In your example, (a) has occurred. The defender had clear possession and control of the ball, so the attacker is eligible to play the ball when it goes awry.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Dave, as a referee you have to know Law 11 inside and out. Offside is judged ONLY when the ball is touched or played by a TEAMMATE