Question Number: 27809

Law 11 - Offside 9/24/2013

RE: VARSITY High School

MICHAEL MCMAHON of ANNAPOLIS, MD USA asks...

During a varsity game an opposing midfielder passes the ball in their offensive half of the field to a teammate who is clearly offside by at least 10 yards. The second to last defender has a chance to play a waist high ball by raising his right leg to trap the ball. The ball deflects off his leg and goes directly to the intended opponent/striker. Ref allows play to continue and eventual goal is scored. I assume the ref did not blow his whistle due to the touch by the defender? How does the ref justify this play as on sides?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Michael
A player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent, who deliberately plays the ball (except from a deliberate save), is not considered to have gained an advantage by being in an offside position.
Once the referee or assistant determines that the touch by the opponent was a deliberate play of the ball then offside is reset.
Offside would only continue to be a consideration if the contact by the opponent was considered to be a deflection or a rebound.
Here is an instructional video from FIFA showing the concept. Blue 21 raises his leg to play the ball and touches the ball to White 20 who while in an offside position is not called for the offside infraction.
http://garcia-aranda.com/offsideifab/eng004video008.html

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Michael,

If the defender had made a controlled play then offside would be reset - for instance, if he kicked the ball back to the keeper not realising the attacker was behind him.

If the ball has not been controlled (eg complete miskick) then offside will still stand.

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