Question Number: 24909

Law 11 - Offside 5/9/2011

RE: AYSO Under 13

Rajan of Van Nuys, California USA asks...

Player A on the Red team is in an offside position just over the halfway line while Player B on the Red team has control of the ball in his end (defensive end) of the field. Player B makes a pass to Player A. Player A crosses back over the halfway line to receive the pass. Since at the moment the ball was played by player B and Player A gained an advantage being in the offside position, player A is called for the offside. Is this correct?
If so many coaches would argue that Player A cannot be offside in their own end of the field. In this particular case Player A having received the pass in his own end of the field. Please advise.
If correct where exactly does the restart(indirect kick)take place?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rajan
Player A is called offside for interfering with play when he touches the ball (not gaining an advantage by being in that position).
The indirect free kick to the defence is taken from the location of Red A in his opponents' half where he was located when the ball was played to him by Red B.
The Law makes no provision for where the ball is touched in offside decisions just the position of the player.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Many coaches can argue what they like - many coaches have never read the laws of the game!

It's always considered where he was when the ball was last touched by a teammate, which everybody knows - and that response should be enough to silence any critics.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

1. Never decide what you are going to call based on a coach's interpretation of the Law.
2. You should know what Law 11 says and be able to quote it word for word or at least close at any time.
3. Law 11 tells us that offside is judged at the moment the ball is touched or played by a teammate. If a player is in an offside position at this time, he may not participate in play. Period.
4. You are not in an offside position when in your own half of the field by definition. If that is where the player was when the ball was played, no offside. But a player that WAS in an offside position when the ball was played cannot run to his own side of the field and play the ball.
5. The player in your question did not gain an advantage. He interfered with play when he touched the ball.
6. Law 11 tells us the restart of an IDFK takes place where the offense took place. That is, where the player in an offside position was at the moment the ball was played by his teammate.