Question Number: 30755

Law 16 - Goal Kick 9/13/2016

RE: State Under 17

Mark of San Jose, CAlifornia USA asks...

Hi Guys, I have a series of questions.

For a goal kick, the ball is in play if it leaves the penalty area, what if a defender just passes it to his goalkeeper and they just pass it to each other, is the ball no considered in play?

For offsides, when does an offside reset? For example, a player is in an offside position, the player doesn't interfere with an opponent nor play, and realizes it and comes back to be in line with the second defender/ return to onside position, by receiving a direct pass this player would be guilty of offside because this player received a direct pass coming from an offside position but when would the offside restart? Also, how is it possible to be in an offside position in a players own half?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mark
The ball has to exit the penalty area for it to be in play. So if the defender kicks the ball to the goalkeeper inside the penalty area it is a retake every single time. If the player receiving the ball is outside the penalty area and plays the ball from the goal kick in that location then it is play on

To reset offside there are only three ways
1. The ball goes out of play
2. The ball goes to a player in an onside position who begins a new phase of play
3. The opponents deliberately play the ball in a way that is unfettered by a challenge from the player in an offside position.
A player cannot be in an offside position in his own half although he can come back into his own half from an offside position which is offside should he interfere with play or an opponent.