Question Number: 24867

Law 11 - Offside 5/2/2011

RE: competive Adult

Erez of haifa, israel israel asks...

Hello,
As I know, it's can't be an offside if the attacking player is in his own half of the field.
My question is, what is the desicion if an attacking player gets the ball (in an offside position) while standing EXACTLY on the halfway line of the field? and why?
thanks

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Well, you answer your own question. First of all, it doesn't matter where the player is when he receives the ball so I'm going to change your question to read 'A player is in an offside position exactly on the halfway line when the ball is played by a teammate.'

Answer is simple, he cannot become actively involved in play because he was in an offside position when the ball was played by a teammate.

When judging body anatomy in considering offside, we look at the parts of the body that may legally play the ball. So if this player was standing exactly on the halfway line, he must have had his head over the halfway line and in the opponent's half of the field. He, of course, could also have part of his torso over the line. He also must have been ahead of the ball (i.e. he had to be nearer the opponent's goal line than the ball) and the second to last opponent.

It doesn't matter where on the field a player is in offside position. He simply cannot become involved in play. If he does, he will be guilty of an offside offense.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

A player can be called for offside in his own half - but only if he returned there to play a ball from an offside position in the other half.

The lines are part of the area they draw, so the halfway line is in both the offensive and defensive ends. Standing exactly on the halfway line means the player is in his own half (assuming no part of him that can play the ball is over the line!).

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Erez
As long as the player has no part of his body, that can legally play the ball, over the halfway line he is not in an offside position. If the player says puts a foot over the half way line then offside consideration applies.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The book answer is simple: in judging offside position, if any part of the body (other than the hands) is beyond the halfway line, then the player is in the opponent's half.
In real life, few can judge that closely.

All doubts are resolved in favor of not-offside.