Question Number: 27714

Law 11 - Offside 8/31/2013

RE: Premier High School

Greg Palmer of Eden Prairie, MN USA asks...

A ball is played forward from the midfield. The GK comes just outside the 18 yard box to play the ball with her foot. She is challenged by an opposing attacker. Her attempt to clear the ball deflects off the attacker's chest, back toward the GK's goal. The GK and the attacker are the only two players involved in the play. The attacker is first to the deflected ball, and slides the ball past the diving GK into the goal. Offside is called. Is this correct?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

When was the attacker offside? It has to be when her teammate last touched/played the ball. If she was in an offside position when her teammate played the ball, offside should have been called once she became involved in play - touching the ball or challenging the opponent (goalkeeper) for the ball.

When she's playing the ball alone, or with only the opposition getting an intervening touch, there can be no offside.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Offside is a correct call if the forward was in an offside position when the ball was originally played forward from the midfield. The flag will often stay down while the assistant referee waits to see if the goal keeper will get clear possession of the oncoming ball. This can add to the spectator's confusion why offside was called.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Greg
The answer depends on when the offside offence actually happened. Was the attacker in an offside position when the ball was played through? In that case the attacker will be called offside the moment she interferes with play or an opponent (in this case the goalkeeper).
Most times referees or ARs will wait a second to see if the ball makes it back to the goalkeeper or that the ball is cleared away in which case offside is not called. Sometimes the CR might miss an offside flag as they are concentrating on the ball and the players. When seen the referee will deal with the flag.
If however the attacker was not in an offside position when the ball was last touched by a teammate then there cannot be any offside when the ball is played by an opponent, the goalkeeper. Nor can a player be offside if the attacker plays the ball to herself, including a rebound from the opponent or the goal.