Can You Be Offside From a Goalpost Rebound

Does the position of an attacking player at the moment the ball hits the goalpost determine their offside status?

No. The player's position at the moment the ball strikes the post is irrelevant to the offside ruling. According to Law 11, the only moment that matters is when the teammate last touched or played the ball, which could have occurred several seconds prior to the ball striking the frame.

How does the interpretation of 'active play' apply to a player waiting near the goal for a rebound?

An attacking player in an offside position becomes active when they involve themselves in play after the ball rebounds from the goalpost.

• Interfering: This occurs when the player touches the ball or blocks an opponent's line of vision.
• Advantage: Gaining an advantage means playing a ball that rebounded off the post after hitting it while the player was offside.
• Proximity: Being near the goal line doesn't automatically trigger a whistle unless the player makes a move toward the ball.
• Movement: Any step toward the rebound is often interpreted as challenging for the ball, which forces the referee to penalize the infraction immediately.

Are there specific differences in offside rules between a rebound off the woodwork and a rebound off the goalkeeper?

Yes, there is a fundamental distinction between these two scenarios. While a rebound off the woodwork is considered a continuation of the original play, a goalkeeper’s "deliberate save" can reset the offside phase, potentially allowing an offside player to legally challenge for the ball if the keeper gains control.

What constitutes a 'deliberate save' by a goalkeeper in the context of resetting an offside position?

A deliberate save occurs when a goalkeeper stops a ball that is going into or very close to the goal with any part of their body, except when the ball is already moving away from the goal. Many fans assume that any touch by a keeper resets the offside status, but a deflection or a rebound that occurs while the keeper is merely reacting to a shot does not constitute a deliberate save. The keeper must show clear control or intent to redirect the ball away from the danger zone to reset the phase.

Can a player who was in an offside position when the ball was originally kicked be penalized if they touch a rebound off the post?

Yes, a player in an offside position at the time of the kick is penalized if they touch the ball after it strikes the post, provided they were involved in active play. For example, if a striker stands behind the last defender and waits for a teammate’s shot to ricochet off the upright, their subsequent touch is an offense because they gained an advantage from being in an offside position when the ball was initially struck.

This rule applies regardless of whether the player moved toward the ball or stood still. The only exception is if the ball was last played by an opponent who deliberately controlled it, effectively resetting the phase of play. If the ball merely deflects off a defender without control, the original offside position remains in effect, and any involvement by the attacker is punishable.

Does the ball hitting the goalpost count as a deflection or a controlled play by the defending team?

The ball hitting the goalpost is categorized as a deflection rather than a controlled play, meaning it does not reset the offside status of the attackers.

• Deflection: The goalpost is an inanimate object and cannot perform a deliberate act to change the state of play.
• Possession: Because the post cannot possess the ball, the original teammate's kick remains the relevant moment for judging offside.
• Continuity: The ball’s path is altered, but the attacking team's offside status remains frozen at the moment of the initial strike.
• Referees: Officials are trained to ignore the bounce off the frame when determining if an attacker has gained an unfair advantage from their initial position.

What is the role of the assistant referee in judging offside during rapid sequences involving the goal frame?

The assistant referee must maintain a split-second focus on the line of the second-to-last defender at the precise moment the ball is kicked. In rapid sequences, they use a technique called "the flash," where they lock their eyes on the defensive line while using peripheral vision to track the ball's trajectory toward the goal. If a shot hits the post, the assistant must already have identified the players who were in offside positions at the start of the sequence.

A common nuance is that if the assistant loses track of the initial moment of the kick, they cannot accurately judge the rebound. If a striker is clearly offside when the ball is struck but then moves onside before the rebound, the assistant must flag the original offense, as the subsequent touch is a direct result of the initial offside positioning.

How do IFAB laws define the 'moment the ball is played' when a rebound occurs?

The moment the ball is played is defined as the first point of contact by the attacker when the ball is kicked or touched by a teammate.

Use these categories to determine which specific frame of action the referee must analyze to decide if a player was in an offside position.