Question Number: 27850

Law 11 - Offside 10/4/2013

RE: park district Under 12

Jon of Streamwood, IL US asks...

We just finished a match in which the potential tying goal was disallowed. Our side was awarded a direct free kick from just outside of the penalty box. Players from both teams set up just in front of the goal with the defending team setting a wall. The kick found the upper corner of the goal without being touched by anyone, but the referee called offside. Is this possible?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Jon,

Offside can involve 'interfering with an opponent'. If, say, a player in an offside position was between the keeper and the ball, thus obstructing his vision, then the referee may deem this sufficient to penalise that player.

The other possibility is that an offside attacker was physically in the path of another defender who may have otherwise have had a chance of blocking the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jon
Yes it is possible to call offside here. If a player in an offside position interfered with an opponent which does not require the ball to be touched then offside would be called.
Examples of interfering with an opponent would include a player standing in an offside position directly in front of the goalkeeper and that player restricts the movement of the goalkeeper towards the ball or the goalkeeper's line of vision to the ball. Another example would be a player in an offside position just behind the defensive wall prevents an opponent moving towards the shot. Again that is an offside offence.
To prevent this happening when the intention is a direct shot at goal teams should ensure that all players are clearly in an onside position, in front of the defensive wall or 2nd last opponents.
I might add that the interfering with an opponent on a shot is an infrequent offside call as determining the interference can be difficult particularly when there is a distance between the player in an offside position and an opponent and where the shot is well away from everyone.