Question Number: 26832

Law 11 - Offside 9/25/2012

RE: Rec Under 12

Ken McGuire of Manchester, NH Usa asks...

On a counter attack 2 players of the same team are into the penalty area with only the goalie to beat and player A passes the ball forward to B and they score does the score count. What if the ball was played in line with or back to player B ?

Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

In determining offside, the direction the ball moves is irrelevant. All that matters is the position of the players.

If Player B is closer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second last line of defence, then he's in an offside position.

So in your case, it sounds like the only question is whether Player B is in front of the ball (and he only needs any part of his body except the arms to be in front of the ball) at the moment it is last touched by a teammate.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Ken
The question the referee has to answer was whether Player B was in an offside position.
A player is in an offside position if he is nearer to his opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent. The key word is BOTH
In your scenario Player B was nearer to the goal line that the 2nd last opponent but was Player B behind the ball? If he was behind the ball then he is not in an offside position. However if he was ahead of the ball then he is an offside position and that offence will be called when Player B touches the ball.