Question Number: 26133

Law 11 - Offside 4/2/2012

RE: AYSO Under 15

Cameron of Quartz Hill, CA USA asks...

A Blue Teammate is in an offside position when a Blue player gets possession in mid pitch snd starts a fast dribble towards the Red team penalty area resulting in Red defenders dropping back and putting the Offside Blue Teammate Onside. (1) Can he being now ONside recieve a pass from his mate? (2) Can he play/shoot if ball is passed to open space towards opponents' goal area? (3) Can he play the ball that is (i) parried by the opponent GK, (ii) bounced off the GK or (iii) bounced off goal post? (4) If Red player gains possession and passes back towards his GK, can he go for the ball even though he was put onside by an opponent dropping back to defend?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Whether a player is in an offside position is considered every time a teammate touches the ball.

It sounds like the teammate's position changed from offside to onside while the other Blue attacker was dribbling the ball. As long as he touches the ball after his teammate is back in an onside position, then that player is considered onside and can receive the ball without penalty, regardless of whether it goes directly to him or deflects off an opponent or the post.

If the Red player gains possession of the ball and passes it back towards the keeper, the Blue player is free to challenge for the ball as the defensive control means those offside considerations are a thing of the past.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Cameron
A player's position is determined each time a team mate touches or plays the ball. In this case the movement of the Red defender placed the Blue player in an onside position so the original offside position no longer existed and he is entitled to participate in any play whatsoever. So the answer is yes to Qs 1,2,3.
When the opponents have clear control and possession of the ball an opponent cannot be offside from any play by an opponent.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

1. Yes. His position is judged when the ball is passed to him not when his teammate first got the ball.
2. Absolutely. He is in an onside position when the ball is played by his teammate so he is free to play the ball wherever it is.
3.Yes,yes,yes
4. Of course. Offside is only judged when a TEAMMATE plays the ball, never when an opponent does so.