Question Number: 27325

Law 11 - Offside 4/19/2013

RE: Rec Under 14

Joe V of Dallas, Tx Dallas asks...

Is it offsides if an attacking player is in an offsides position but a defender passes the ball to him?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Joe
A player can only be offside when the ball is played / touched by one of his team mates. When the ball is deliberately played by an opponent then it cannot be offside.
It however should not be confused with a ball that is deflected or rebounds from an opponent off a pass by a team mate. The deflection does not reset the offside.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

No. After a defender has full possession and control of the ball, every opponent is eligible to play the ball - - regardless of position.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

No Joe, and as a referee you absolutely have to understand not only this but ALL of Law 11.
Law 11 is straightforward. Offside is ONLY judged at the moment the ball is touched or played by a teammate. There can never, ever be any offside offense when the ball is passed by an opponent.

A player that is in an offside position at the moment the ball is touched or played by a member of his team is only penalized if he becomes actively involved in play by:
1. Interfering with play
2.Interfering with an opponent
3. Gaining an advantage by being in an offside position.

There can be no offside offense regardless of position if the ball is received directly from a goal kick, corner kick, or throw-in.

Also, there is no "s" at the end of offside.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 27437