Question:
Regarding the law 11 The Offside . in the event of a goal kick the law says that there is not an offside position even though there is a offensive player clearly nearer the opponents’ goal line than the next-to-last opponent, now ,what happens if before this player touches the ball someone else touches it, and after that this player gets it. Is it now offside ?
USSF answer (October 17, 2008):
Actually, there is still offside position at a goal kick. Being in an offside position is legal and can occur at any time during play. However, there is no offside infringement directly at the taking of a goal kick. If an opponent plays/touches/makes contact with the ball on its way to the player in the offside position, there is no infringement of Law 11. If a teammate plays/touches/makes contact with the ball on its way to the player in the offside position, there is the possibility of an offside infringement, if the the player in the offside position is actively involved in play by interfering with an opponent, interfering with play, or gaining an advantage from being in the offside position.
