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Other Sports => Soccer => Topic started by: FrankNFHS on December 08, 2011, 10:19:17 AM

Title: Offside Question - I'm Guessing No
Post by: FrankNFHS on December 08, 2011, 10:19:17 AM
I recently misplaced my rulebook so in the interim of getting another one...quick question.

Three offensive players coming downfield towards opponent's goal.  Player with ball has a player on her right who is not in an offside position and a player on her left that would be offside if the ball was passed to her.

Player with ball attempts to pass ball to the player on her right who is not offside.  2nd to last defender kicks the ball such that it is deflected to the player on the left who was clearly offside when the ball was kicked to the player on the right.

I'm saying this is OK since there was a play on the ball from the defense and the ball was not received directly from a teammate.

The coach of the defending team asked if I thought this was offside and I thought it was not for the reason stated above but the coach stated on a similar play in a previous game, when his team was in a similar position, they were called for offside.  The discussion was not so much confrontational but rather focused on just getting the right answer. 

Thanks to anyone for your response.
Title: Re: Offside Question - I'm Guessing No
Post by: KingTut on January 18, 2012, 11:14:51 PM
I think it's offside

the defense has to have control of the ball to set off the offside
a deflection is not having control
Title: Re: Offside Question - I'm Guessing No
Post by: TampaSteve on January 19, 2012, 10:25:19 AM
Copy/paste from current MLS player for HOU:
You will see this type of play called either way, depending upon the judgment of the assistant referee (linesman).  Technically, a player cannot be offside on a ball played by the defensive team – only on a ball played forward by the offensive team.  But if the assistant referee deemed that the ball was not actually “played” by the defensive player, but the deflection was a continuation of the original offensive pass, then the offside position would likely be enforced.