Question Number: 24410

Law 11 - Offside 12/11/2010

RE: College

Hans Grade of HOEGAARDEN, Belgium asks...

Hi, we have developed a theoretical model that could be used to assist the ref to know when offside has occured. If you could spare a moment of your time, we would appreciate your opinion.

A chip is installed in every player's shoes, with which the distance to the goallines is measured. When the distance goalline-defender is less than the distance goalline-attacker (who receives the pass), the referee receives a signal in his earpiece to confirm the offside. (see picture below) A linesman is required to push a button to start the system.

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/4134/780pxsoccerfieldempty.png

Thanks in advance

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Hans
Your system could indeed work. However with chips in every player's shoe and two attackers together how does the system tell the difference between the player that touches the ball and the player that does not when one is in an offside position and the other is not? I also think for 'gaining an advantage by being in an offside position" will also be difficult to measure due to the change in position of players after the rebound.
As regards technology in the game the demonstrations that I have seen of goal line technology also works yet IFAB who set the laws initially ruled the system out. It was only the mistake in the WC on the unseen England goal v Germany that brought the systems back on the agenda.
You will probably be aware that the game is probably the most conservative in embracing new technology so I would not invest too much time, effort or money in this as it is unlikely to be implemented in the foreseeable future, even if it did work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGw1IYOcfHE

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

A problem is how does the system know when to take a distance reading? Offside positions are determined at the time the ball is last touched by a teammate. Until the system can determine that, it cannot give an accurate reading of whether offside position has occurred or not.

And offside is about more than just position. Once a player has been determined to be in an offside position, he has to be evaluated as to whether he is interfering in play, interfering with an opponent, or has gained an advantage by being in the offside position (refers to the ball rebounding to him). A chip-sensor system would not indicate that part of the offside offense.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Offside is a simple Law. Enforcing it takes a great deal of skill, fitness and judgment - all qualities I don't think can be replaced with technology, but it is an interesting idea.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Where's the ball? Your design doesn't take into account where the ball is. An attacker may be past the next to last defender and still be onside if even with or behind the ball when it is played by his teammate.

I agree with Ref Maloney, offside is made difficult as it's an easy concept. Technology may help in the future but I'm opposed to technology replacing skill

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

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