Question Number: 25471

Law 11 - Offside 9/20/2011

RE: Rec Under 13

L. Robb of Salt Lake City, UT USA asks...

Two attackers (A1 and A2), and two defenders (D1 and GK) were in the penalty area, when D1 clears the ball. A1 picks it up and starts dribbling it. At the time A1 receives the ball from D1, A2 is in an offside position. As A1 dribbles past D1, A2 moves back to an onside position (even with A1), at which point A1 passes the ball to A2.

When is offside reset? At every touch of the ball from A1 as she dribbles it? Or would A2 be considered offside at the A1 to A2 pass because A2 was in an offside position at the time D1 cleared the ball and A1 picked it up?

Thanks!

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
Offside is only considered when A1 passes the ball to A2. While A2 may have been in an offside position prior to the pass but that is irrelevant on considering offside.
Just a minor point. Level with the ball carrier usually means behind the ball. However offside is always judged on the basis of both the ball and the second last opponent not team mates. It is possible to be level with a team mate and still be in an offside position. For instance the player could be level with the team mate yet ahead of the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Offside position is considered each and every time a teammate touches the ball. With every touch, there is a new snapshot in time taken. The player's offside position is established at that touch, and does not change until there is another touch.

So if A1 dribbled the ball deeper than A2's position before passing it to A2, there is no offside. It doesn't matter that A2 might have been in an offside position a moment before. Remember the first line of Law 11, it is not an offense to be in an offside position.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Offside is judged ONLY when the ball is touched or played by a teammate. Every time A1 plays the ball, we must evaluate A2's position. If A2 was onside when passed the ball by A1, no offside.