Question Number: 28475

Law 11 - Offside 6/5/2014

RE: travel Under 19

paul of garden city, ny usa asks...

player is near opponents goal but in an offside position, during active play what needs to happen to consider him no longer offside....

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Paul
One of a number factors needs to happen
1. The opponents gain unfettered control / possession of the ball.
2. The ball goes out of play.
3. A team mate begins a new phase of play by touching the ball with the player originally in an offside position being in an onside position before that touch / play.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

A player cannot do anything to make himself 'onside.' Instead, the player becomes eligible to play the ball after:

a. An opponent makes a deliberate play of the ball (other than a deliberate save). This usually occurs when the opponent has unfettered control or possession of the ball;

b. The player is in an onside position the next time the ball is touched or played by a teammate; or

c. The ball goes out of play.