Question Number: 12660

Law 11 - Offside 4/28/2006

Jon of London, uk asks...

This question is a follow up to question 12577

I understand what you are saying and i Understand the law totally. However, we also say in different circumstances, say the shoulder to shoulder challenge for a ball, that if a player is within a metre of the ball he is in playing distance or playing the ball and shoulder to shoulder challenges are legal. a step over is playing the ball, in my opinion of the game, and threfore an offside would be called. I referee to the laws dont get me wrong. but this is a discussion of what we think. i know what the interpretation is, but I just cant get my head around the sensibility of some of the decisions that get thrown up and that I actually have to make!

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

If that is your opinion. BUT - if there is a colleague of the offside player moving onto the ball and you do not wait for the touch, given the defence does not react to the step over, then you do not apply the first line of Law 11 correctly. Playing distance has no meaning in offside. Interfere with play, interfere with an opponent, gain advantage.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

There will always be some contentious issues with perception and opinion as to what each referee will determine his decision making on. But I concur fully with my colleague.
The rephrasing of the offside explanations has not changed its meaning although many feel this is so, it was to clarify the WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, be sure! before raising the flag to signal an infringement . People are under the misconception that because defenders see or think about a player THAT constitutes interfering. Tactically defenders deliberately step up just to make sure the attackers in behind are not part of possible play. So who truly interferes with who?
In the end a referee makes the best possible decision based on his knowledge, training and gut instincts. How well this works is how well one applies themselves to the research and directives handed down by those national associations who SUPPOSEDLY are supposed to know!?
Cheers