Question Number: 28215

Law 11 - Offside 2/25/2014

RE: Travel Under 15

Bill C. of Barto, Pennsylvania USA asks...

Hi,
This is a question about the Offside rule.
Red#4 team has a goal kick. Red#9 is in an offside position, behind the whole of the Blue teams defense, except the GK. Red#4 kicks the ball the length of the field directly to Red#9 who controls and slots it by the on-rushing Blue keeper.

Is it offside? If not why? Could you plant a striker next to the opposing keeper on a goal kick and not be offside?

Thanks,
Bill

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bill
A player cannot be offside from a goal kick, throw in or corner kick which are restarts from the ball crossing a boundary line.
So Red#9 cannot be offside when he receives the ball directly from the goal kick by Red#4.
If you look closely at Pro level games you will note that players anticipate the distance the ball will be kicked from the goal kick and set up accordingly.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Bill,

The laws specifically state that a player cannot be offside from a goal kick, corner kick or throw in.