Question Number: 28788

Law 11 - Offside 9/26/2014

RE: competetive Under 19

Glenn of mssion, B.C. Canada asks...

Hello again. I would like some clarification on offside resets from a deliberate play except from a save. Does the save part apply only to the keeper? Example, onside attacker takes a shot on net, the keeper is out of position and is unable to stop the shot so a defender kicks the ball away preventing the ball from going in the net. The ball now goes to another attacker who was in an offside position at the time of the shot. Since the defender's play was a save, is the PIOP now offside upon receiving the ball from the defender making the save.

Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Glenn,
hmm wouldn't we all lol
No ,the save part does not only apply to the keeper. If that was the case it would have specified that in the wording. The clarification is being discussed throughout the soccer world at the moment as the inclusion of this phrase has created a bit of controversy.
I would agree with your assessment that the defender acting in the best interest of his team acts to deliberately save a goal has NOT reset offside and the PIOP is indeed offside if he receives this ball from that save!

What I have issues with is how lenient do we permit the deliberate save to not reset and just declare it a deliberate play if
(1) The ball is going wide or high?
(2)The defender has other players in-between him and the goal who could also play the ball including say the keeper.
(3)What constitutes a deliberate save by the keeper if he deliberately plays the ball with his hands inside his penalty area but the ball is not a shot on net but a cross headed at angle away or a wide ball where the keeper uses his hands to break up the attack but not a shot??
You see a deliberate save (except the keeper's where the hands are used to stop a ball from entering the goal) resets offside ELSEWHERE on the field. I hope to see some criteria being put forth to define the irregularities.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Glenn
A save does not apply to the goalkeeper only. So a save by a defender would not reset offside. In my opinion these gaining an advantage situations will generally present as such. The deliberate play should be pretty clear compared to the rebound / deflection / save.