Question Number: 24145

Law 11 - Offside 10/12/2010

RE: Adult rec Under 19

Dave of DM, IA U.S. asks...

This question is a follow up to question 24126

Say we catch an attacker in an offside trap. All defenders stepping forward just before the attacker's teammate passes it to him leaving him clearly in OSP.
He is pursuing the ball but hasn't touched it yet so the AR hasn't raised the flag yet.
If we start chasing after him, does that constitute him interfering with play and officially become OS?
Or would you wait with the flag until he actually touches it even though we are all chasing him? (I know you would wait if an onside player was also involved)
Playing defense a lot I sure appreciate an early whistle instead of having to chase someone halfway down the field several times unnecessarily.
And yes, I know the trap is only as effective as the AR is that day.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Dave
The AR must wait for the player in an offside psoition to interfere with play or an opponent. So yes it can mean running after the ball for some distance until the PIOP finally meets all of the offside criteria. He could also at some point decide to stop and that is not then offside.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The fact that you are running after the PIOP does not immediately translate to his involvement in play. You might just be running after the long-ball. The player has to do something, such as getting in your way or making a move to deceive or distract you, before he is considered to be interfering with an opponent.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Running toward the ball is not enough. In the US, ARs are trained to wait until one of three things happen: (a) the player in offside position PIOP touches the ball; (b) the PIOP interferes with a defender's ability to see or play the ball; or (c) there is a chance of a collision between the PIOP and any defender (usually the keeper).

(Outside the US, referees may judge that there is no one from an onside position who will be able to play the ball and flag the offside - - saving the players the need for a 20 yard sprint. The US interpretation, however, is that the only way to know if someone else will touch the ball is to wait and see.)

It is more likely that the PIOP who is between the defender and the ball has interfered with the defender's ability to play the ball. The closer the PIOP and the defender are to active play, the more likely the interference.

But, the danger for defenders (and their coaches) is defenders cannot simply stop defending because they trapped a PIOP. An attacker from an onside position will be permitted to run in and play the ball. Doubts about participation in play are resolved in favor of not offside .

IMO, a team that relies entirely on offside traps is in for a troubled second half. The evolving interpretations of participation in play give a tactical advantage to the offense that adjusts to the trap.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Offside traps are not what they used to be! That old saying 'Live by the trap, die by the trap.' is even more relevant today than ever before, as my colleagues' answers outline, and not just because of the AR.

Since Law 11 clearly says it is not an offense to be in an offside position, the referee team has no choice but to let play continue until such time as the PIOP becomes involved or stops or his status changes.