What is a Deflection in Soccer and How Does a Deflection Work?

What is a Deflection in Soccer?

A deflection is a shot that has made contact with one or more players, officials, or stationary objects (such as goalposts). If a deflection successfully crosses the goal line, the last person hit by the deflection will determine who gets credit for the goal and whether it is scored as an offensive goal or an own goal.

How Does a Deflection Work?

A deflection happens whenever the ball bounces off another player or object on the pitch and changes direction. A deflection also occurs when a goalkeeper or player touches the ball after it’s been shot to alter its trajectory. Deflections can be intentional or accidental; the intent affects the application of certain rules, such as offside and handball violations.

Deflection vs. Own Goal

When a shot is deflected by the goalkeeper into the net, the shooter is awarded the goal. However, if a defender causes a significant deflection, resulting in a goal for the opposing team, the defender will be given an own goal rather than the shooter getting credit for the goal.

Soccer Deflection Rules

• A deflection is any shot that bounces off of a player, official, or stationary object.
• If a player receives a shot that is deflected off of a defensive player while in an offside position, they have still committed an offside violation.
• If a player purposefully deflects the ball with their hand or arm, it is a handball violation.
• If a deflection unintentionally occurs off of a player’s hand or arm, they have not committed a handball violation.
• A goal that is deflected off of the goalkeeper is scored as a goal for the shooter.
• A goal that is deflected off of a defender other than the goalkeeper is scored as an own goal against that defender.