Question Number: 23793

Law 11 - Offside 8/18/2010

RE: Grade 9 Ref + Rec Coach Under 10

John Lubeck of Livermore, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 23775

Hello, I see from Ref Michelle Maloney that included in the list of how a player can be involved in a play is to 'distract a player attempting to play the ball'.

Some time ago, we had a DFK just outside the penalty area. One of the attacking players ran in before the goal was shot passed all defenders except the GK and ran past and in front of the GK as the ball arrived (and went into the back of the net).

From my vantage point, this was clearly a 'possible' and most likely a probable 'distraction'.

Was this a goal?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Lubeck
If the referee believes that a player in an offside position 'interferes with an opponent' which means preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing
the opponent's line of vision or movements or making a gesture or
movement which, in the opinion of the referee, deceives or distracts an opponent.
So in your case if the player in an offside position clearly obstructed the GK' s view of the ball that indeed would be offside.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

A player in offside position can infringe law 11 by interfering with the goalkeeper's ability to see or play the ball. At higher levels, that is exactly why the player has run then. Teams practice such tactics. At lower levels, the referee will have to ask whether the keeper, as a practical matter, had any chance to play the ball. If the attacker had not been there, would it have made a difference?