Question Number: 24103

Law 11 - Offside 10/7/2010

RE: Rec Under 11

Rich of Salt Lake City, Utah USA asks...

Attacker (A1) dribbles down the middle of the field toward the goal. A2 runs straight ahead and gets behind the defenders and is in an offside position. Defender (D1) runs back to cover A2 instead of challenging A1 with the ball. A1 advances the ball, shoots and scores. Should A2 have been considered interfering with the play since the defender chose (unwisely) to mark A2 instead of going after the ball

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rich
What has A2 done here other than run forward into an offside position perhaps in anticipation of getting involved in a future phase of play. It is not an offence to be in an offside position or run into an offside position. D2 should be aware that A2 is in an offside position and is excluded from interfering with play so in fact Law 11 assists the defence in this situation as A2 is excluded from getting involved in active play until his position or that of the ball or a defender changes to make him onside. Also as A1 has not passed the ball then there cannot be any offside consideration here until that happens.
D1 has made the wrong decision and there is no offside consideration here until A1 passes the ball. Even if that happens A2 has to also interfere with play or interfere with an opponent for it to be called. As desribed A1's goal is good without question.
It is a good coaching point that in this situation A1 with the ball is the threat not A2 and that the defender should always close down the ball carrier in these situations and to use the offside position of A2 to position him from getting involved in play.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If A1 passes the ball toward A2, then your 'pursuit of play' scenario has some validity.

But as long as A1 retains the ball, going in to shoot and score, A2 can do anything she wants, subject to the other Laws of the Game of course. It could be that A2 commits an unfair charge against an opponent or impedes the opponent - then call her for that. But not for offside.