Question Number: 26747

Law 11 - Offside 9/11/2012

RE: Competitive Adult

Harris of Toronto, Ontario Canada asks...

I have an offside scenario I would like to discuss.

I was the AR in this game. An attacker on the far side is in an offside position. The ball is lofted high over to him by a teammate. The ball flies over him and down the line, the second last defender who is very close to him is easily able to outrun him and get to the ball. The attacker puts up a chase and the defender has unsteady control of the ball and then gains control of it near the corner and shields the ball to prevent losing possession. The attacker catches up to him at this point.

Is the attacker guilty of an offside offence? He's not directly interfering with play but isn't he interfering with an opponent?

As an AR, how far should I be following play? What needs to really happen in this particular situation (I know the three conditions for an offside) for me to have to stop and raise the flag to indicate an offence?

The assessor for the game said that it wasn't but I'm very confused since the attacker was putting pressure on the defender who took a while to gain full control of the ball.

In this scenario, I raised the flag when the attacker caught up to the defender in the corner.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Harris
Offside can only be reset when the defending side gains control of the ball and is able to play the ball without interference from the player in an offside position.
From what you describe I would consider this to be offside particularly when the defender gains control in an unfavourable position with immediate pressure / interference from the player in an offside position. If the defender gains control of the ball facing his opponent and he had full control and time to play the ball away comfortably then there is no offside offence.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The AR should continue to run with the ball or the second to last defender while waiting to see if the player in offside position (PIOP) infringes the offside law by interfering with play or interfering with a defender. Don't stand there.

A player in offside position may not do anything that hinders the defender's ability to see or play the ball. The closer the PIOP is to the area of active play, the more likely the PIOP is interfering with a defender. While the skill level of the player will affect the judgment call, the AR should consider the PIOP again eligible to fully participate in play only after the defender obtains clear and unmistakeable possession of the ball - - free of any interference by the PIOP.

The mere presence of a PIOP, however, is not enough. Running toward the ball is not enough. The AR's judgment needs to be - did the PIOP do something that affected play. If in doubt, keep the flag down.