Question Number: 26361

Law 11 - Offside 5/19/2012

RE: 3 Adult

fma of Granton, tas aUST asks...

For the offside rule, at what point is an attacker still in thier own half. In other words at what point on the halfway line is the attacker deemed offside if receiving a pass from ateam mate.

Many Thx

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
The half way line is unusual in that it is part of both halves. So offside only applies when the player has his foot or body clearly over the line in the attacking half.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The technical answer is that when any part of the body (other than hands/arms) extends over the halfway line into the opposing half, the players are no longer in their own half.

The practical answer is that this is, at best, a doubtful or trifling infringement. All doubts on offside position are resolved in favor of 'not offside.' As Ref McHugh notes, the player must be 'clearly' over the line.