Question Number: 24195

Law 11 - Offside 10/19/2010

RE: Rec Under 13

DougB of Irvine, Ca USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 24168

I want to ask about a clarification of interfering with an opponent.

So a long ball over to the corner, nobody around except one player in offside position. This player starts a sprint toward the ball, and whether by the shouts of 'you're offsides!!' or whether he realizes it himself, he stops a few steps from the ball, and does not play it.

Often times it looks like the ball will go out over the touch or goal line, so players might not be running to the ball.

Now, this leaves the ball just resting there. One of two things are likely to happen. Another attacking player will come to the 'rescue' and scoop up the ball, or a defending player will go over to play the ball.

Can that player in offside position just stand there a step or two from the ball, and wait for the defender to touch (control) the ball, then try to steal it? Is that considered interfering, or is that perfectly acceptable?

As always, thanks for your thoughts!

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The defending player must have an opportunity to get to the ball and make a good play on it without being interfered with by the PIOP. It will be the opinion of the referee as to whether the challenge came too early to give the defender his fair chance.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The lapse of time does not make a player in offside position onside. That requires either that the defense gain clear possession and control of the ball; the ball to go out of play; or the player to be in an onside position the next time the ball is touched by a teammate.

Regardless of the length of the pause, if the PIOP goes and touches the ball, the player is offside! If the PIOP waits for the defense to play the ball, the referee must decide (based on age/skill of player/ distances) whether the PIOP has interfered with the defender's ability to play the ball or whether the defender already has possession and control. The younger the players, the more likely the PIOP who challenges for the ball as soon as the defender touches it will be called for interfering with a defender.

In other parts of the world, the assistant referee may raise the flag when she determines that no one from an onside position will be able to play the ball. In the US, the interpretation is that the only way to be sure no one else will play the ball is to wait and see what happens.