Question Number: 28538

Law 11 - Offside 6/21/2014

Mike Vetter of Kansas City, missouri USA asks...

Is a player offside if when a shot is taken he is in an offside position the ball strikes the post and he is the first to touch it? (Honduras player second goal)

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Yes, that would be offside, for becoming involved in play by gaining an advantage. This is very narrowly defined in the Interpretations and Guidance section of the Laws:

"gaining an advantage by being in that position" means playing a ball
i. that rebounds or is deflected to him off the goalpost, crossbar or an opponent having been in an offside position
ii. that rebounds, is deflected or is played to him from a deliberate save by an opponent having been in an offside position

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Yes. If a player was in offside position when the ball was last touched by a teammate, the player cannot play the ball after it deflects off the goalpost/crossbar.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mike
Yes that was offside. It is deemed to be 'gaining an advantage by being in that position'.
Offside is only reset if the ball goes out of play, the opponents gain unfettered control of the ball or a player in an onside position begins a new phase of play.