Question Number: 27609

Law 11 - Offside 7/19/2013

RE: Competitive Under 16

Mike of Montreal, Quebec Canada asks...

Hey everyone,

I was wondering if you can put a player offside from a corner by putting all your players on the other side of the goal line and having an opposing player in back of the goalie.

Thanks for answering

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

By an exception in Law 11, a player receiving a ball directly from a corner kick is always allowed to play the ball.

After the corner kick has been taken, offside position will again be determined when the ball is next touched by a teammate.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Law 11 specifically states that a player cannot be offside directly from a corner kick.

Even if that exception didn't exist, the easy counter to your strategy would be for the attacking team to ensure they're all behind the ball at the time of the kick - offside requires the attacker to be in front of the ball, as well as between the 2nd last defender and the goal line.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mike
Players are not entitled to leave the field of play deliberately to place an opponent in an offside position. When that happens the player is placed on the field of play at his closest location and offside is then evaluated on that location. The player is also cautioned at the next stoppage in play for 'deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee's permission'.
Anyway a player cannot be offside directly from a corner kick nor can he be offside if he is behind the ball so it is not really a viable option.