Question Number: 23906

Law 11 - Offside 9/11/2010

RE: AYSO Under 15

Stephen Jesser of Lakeside, CA United States asks...

I was ref'ing a tournament last weekend and a senior referee corrected me on when the whistle should be blown on a player that is offside.

I understand that a player must be involved in the play to be offside. However, the senior ref. said that several years ago the law changed and the whistle should not be blown until he *touches* the ball.

This seems rather odd to me. I have always blown the whistle once the pass is initiated to a player in an offside position that has a reasonable chance of getting involved in the play. I place the ball where the offside player was at the time of the pass and award the opposing team with an indirect free kick.

Please clarify and thanks!

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The interpretation of the offside law indeed has been evolving over the past few years.

Moving toward the ball by a player in offside position is not enough for an offside infringement. Indeed, many teams now send an overlapping player from an onside position who has every right to play the ball. A too quick flag leads to the wrong decision.

In the US, there are two exceptions to waiting for the player in offside position (PIOP) to actually touch the ball. First, when the PIOP interferes with a defender's ability to see or play the ball, raise the flag. (This often occurs whenever the PIOP is marked.) Second, when there is any chance of a collision between the PIOP and an opponent (usually the keeper), raise the flag.

In other parts of the world there is a third exception: when no other attacking player from an onside position will be able to play the ball. In the US, the view is that the only way to know if someone else will play the ball is to wait and see who actually touches the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Look at it this way - it is not an offense to be in an offside position, and if the player who is in an offside position decides at any time during her run to the ball to stop, then she has committed no offense, assuming no defenders have been interfered with in the process.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Stephen
Law 11 was amended in 2005 to its current form . There are three way for a player in an offside position to be penalised for offside. These are
# interfering with play or
# interfering with an opponent or
# gaining an advantage by being in that position.
In order to 'interfere with play' or 'gaining an advantage by being in that position' a player must now touch the ball to be called offside. In addition if a player in an offside position 'interferes with an opponent' offside is also called.
IFAB in its Circular 987 in August 2005 allows for two scenarios where a player in an offside position where the player can be penalised for offside through 'interfering with play' without touching the ball. "A player in an offside position may be penalised before playing or touching the ball if, in the opinion of the referee, no other team-mate in an onside position has the opportunity to play the ball.
If an opponent becomes involved in the play and if, in the opinion of the referee, there is potential for physical contact, the player in the offside position shall be penalised for interfering with an opponent."

You should acquaint yourself with USSF ATR for its advice to referees in the US on IFABs 987 circular.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

USSF does a very good job of putting out memoranda throughout the year. This is an example and was released last year. Pertinent portions shown


The following facts are not in dispute:
? Nyassi was in an offside position.
? Nyassi did not become involved in active play by gaining an advantage
(historically, this is only an issue if the ball has rebounded from the
crossbar, a goalpost, or a defender, which it did not in this case).
? Nyassi did not interfere with an opponent. He did not get in the way of a
defender, make any movement or gesture which deceived or distracted an
opponent, and, most importantly, did not block the goalkeeper?s line of
sight (the attack came in from the goalkeeper?s left whereas the attacker
ran from the goalkeeper?s right and was at least several yards away from
the goalkeeper when the shot on goal was made).
? Nyassi did not interfere with play (no contact with the ball).
The assistant referee was well placed, in line with the second to last defender, to
confirm these essential elements in deciding for an offside violation. Accordingly, there
was no offside violation and the goal was valid.
The debate has been vigorous over the last several years regarding the way in
which an attacker in an offside position can be involved in active play. The definition
provided by the International Board regarding ?gaining an advantage? is clear and based
on concrete observable facts. The definition of ?interfering with an opponent? involves
various judgments but is generally clear in its application since the primary issue here is
whether the interference results from blocking paths and/or lines of sight.
This memorandum confirms that ?interfering with play? cannot be decided unless
the attacker in an offside position makes contact with the ball.{

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 24024