Question Number: 26667

Law 11 - Offside 8/22/2012

RE: rec Under 17

bob of New York, New York USA asks...

I am familiar with the laws of onside, but I have forgotten one. Does your hands matter when calling offsides. I have searched the web but have found mix answers. If you can help me then thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The arms and hands are not considered for offside, neither for the attacker being offside nor for the defender establishing the offside line.

The theory is that only parts of the body that can legally play the ball are considered. And even though the goalkeeper can use her hands inside her penalty area, they didn't make any exception for the goalkeeper defining the offside line with her hands. Hands and arms don't count, period.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bob
Only parts of the body that can legally play the ball are considered in determining offside. So if an outstretched arm only is beyond the 2nd last opponent that is not offside.
In reality an offside decision on an arm will be so difficult to pick out anyway that it only makes a difference on TV with freeze frame. On pitch viewing of this will look onside.