Question Number: 24315

Law 11 - Offside 11/13/2010

RE: Rec Under 11

Craig Clise of Altamonte Springs, Florida USA asks...

Playing shorthanded, 7 on 7, (please inform as to whether this effects the ruling). Opponent was awarded a free kick approx. 25-30 yds from our goal. All our players were on a line across the 18 yard box, approx. 10 yds in front of the kick.. Opponent had a player positioned next to the goal post when the kick was taken. A goal was scored by the player taking the free kick. Was the other opponent's player off side?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The player was in offside position, but it is not an offense to be in an offside position.
The question for the referee is whether the player (who never touched the ball) has infringed the offside law for 'interfering with a defender.' Did the player interfere with the goalkeeper's ability to see or play the ball?

If the shot was taken at the near post, and the player was standing at the far post, the answer is clear. A player in that position would not interfere with the goalkeeper's ability to see or play the ball. If the player stands in front of the keeper, the answer is also clear. The player in that position would interfere with the goalkeeper's ability to see the ball.

The opponent must do something that affects the opponent. The closer the player is to the keeper,however, the more likely she has interfered with the keeper's ability to play the ball. It is a judgment call for the referee.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Craig
First off, small sided games can have modification to the Laws of the Game. In small sided games in Ireland and the UK offside does not apply. You need to check this with the competition organisers if that was the case.
As regards if it was offside or not depends on whether the player in an offside position interfered with an opponent. There is no offence in being in an offside position and the player has to either touch the ball or prevents an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent's line of vision or movements or making a gesture or movement which, in the opinion of the referee, deceives or distracts an opponent. From what you describe it reads as if the player in an offside position did not do any of that so it is not offside.