Change to Law 11

[NOVARef]

They added this language to Law 11...*The first point of contact of the ‘play’ or ‘touch’ of the ball should be used; however, when the ball is thrown by the goalkeeper, the last point of contact should be used.

Can someone explain what this means and maybe provide an example of what this is saying? Thanks.

 

[RustyRef]

When the ball is kicked it leaves the football instantly, when it is thrown there is longer contact with the ball, that's why the differentiator was brought in. One of those laws that in reality will be very rarely needed, can't think of many potential offsides coming from a keeper's throw.

 

[Archer]

READ LAW.

It's about a GK throwing it out.

 

[NOVARef]

When the ball is kicked it leaves the football instantly, when it is thrown there is longer contact with the ball, that's why the differentiator was brought in. One of those laws that in reality will be very rarely needed, can't think of many potential offsides coming from a keeper's throw.

Thanks. Of all things to clarify. Appreciate the quick response.

 

[NOVARef]

READ LAW.

It's about a GK throwing it out.

I did read the law. I didn't understand it, so I asked.

 

[socal lurker]

It’s irrelevant to any game not using VAR (or I SAOT)—it’s about being able to identify the correct frame for the VAR review. For those of us doing the other 99+% of games, the eye simply can’t discern that level of detail.

 

[bester]

It’s irrelevant to any game not using VAR (or I SAOT)—it’s about being able to identify the correct frame for the VAR review. For those of us doing the other 99+% of games, the eye simply can’t discern that level of detail.

Before this change technically as the law was written offside should've been determined at the point the goalkeeper caught the ball rather when he released it?
Not that anybody ever implemented it that way as it's completely daft.

 

[NOVARef]

Before this change technically as the law was written offside should've been determined at the point the goalkeeper caught the ball rather when he released it?
Not that anybody ever implemented it that way as it's completely daf

So as the law stands now....If a player (Jim) is able to say balance the ball on his foot for a second and his teammate (John) is in an offside position when he (Jim) gets the ball balanced but his teammate (John) then comes back onside and the teammate (Jim) then "flicks" the ball up and over a defender say and the teammate (John) gets to the ball, he (John) would be offside??? So it's not when you release it, it's when you first touch the ball...unless you are the goalkeeper throwing it. Is that right?

 

[JamesL]

Before this change technically as the law was written offside should've been determined at the point the goalkeeper caught the ball rather when he released it?
Not that anybody ever implemented it that way as it's completely daft.

Certain i read about a team that found a work around where a player held the ball on their foot and then played the ball to a player in offside position using the first contact with the ball.

Went to look and confirm I hadnt gone mad: https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...er-swedish-third-tier-clubs-pressure-pays-off

 

[bester]

Certain i read about a team that found a work around where a player held the ball on their foot and then played the ball to a player in offside position using the first contact with the ball.

Went to look and confirm I hadnt gone mad: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jun/12/offside-law-changed-after-swedish-third-tier-clubs-pressure-pays-of

Free kick. Player stands in an onside position, waits for the taker to touch the ball (but not move it) before running into an offside position, the taker then scoops it over the top...

A scenario @one would dream up.