Question Number: 27009

Law 11 - Offside 11/13/2012

RE: rec Under 11

Rich of Clayton, California USA asks...

Goalie kicks the ball very high. A player in offside position when the ball is kicked moves back into onside position during the flight of the ball and joins half a dozen other players (from both teams)to try to play the ball. Has offside cleared because he is now in an onside position? Should I raise the flag because he is getting involved in the play?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rich
Offside is considered the moment the goalkeeper kicked the ball. It makes no difference if the player in an offside position touches the ball in an onside position or for that matter in his own half. He was in an offside position when the ball was played by one of his team in this case the goalkeeper and he may not participate in play until either
a. the ball goes out of play
b. the ball is controlled and played by an opponent
c. a team mate in an onside position begins a new phase of play with a touch / play of the ball
So in your scenario the player should be called offside when he touches the ball with the flag being raised.
The reason players do this is to
1. to prevent being marked by an opponent
2. to be unseen by an opponent when making a challenge
3. the player is lazy and does not want to make the movement to get back onside, waiting instead for another phase of play

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I am assuming this was not a goal kick where offside does not apply.

It would be offside. The player was in an offside position at the time the ball was last played by a teammate, and that player then became involved in play by playing the ball.

The location of the restart is where the player was when the goalkeeper kicked the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Raise the flag.

A player in offside position remains ineligible to play the ball until: (a) she is in onside position when the ball is next touched by a teammate; (b) the defense has gained clear posssesion and control of the ball; or (c) the ball goes out of play.