Question Number: 26849

Law 11 - Offside 9/27/2012

RE: Rec Under 15

Mike of Marblehead, M USA asks...

Offside rule case.
If two attackers are past the last defenseman possessing the ball can one pass forward to the other? The examples online imply it is offside because they all justify only a backward pass as onside. But this interpretation seems to preclude a breakaway play by more than one player which doesn't sound fair.

Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

The direction the ball is played in has nothing to do with offside. All that matters is the relative position of the players at the moment the ball is last touched.

If the second attacker is in front of the ball (As well as being past the 2nd last line of defence) at the moment of it being touched by a teammate, then he's in an offside position - and by in front, we only need a head, shoulder, leg or foot to be in front.

If he's level with or behind the ball, then he isn't in an offside position.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mike
The offside decision is based on the position of the attacking players not the direction of the pass. A player is in an offside position if he is nearer to his opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent. Note that it has to be BOTH the ball and the 2nd last opponent.
So in your sceanrio the 2nd last opponent is behind the ball so the only way that an attacker can be in an onside position is to stay behind the ball. Once he is behind the ball he can legally participate in play. Move ahead of the ball and that is an offside position with the goalkeeper the only opponent between that player and the goal line.
So the coaching point for breakaways is for the players not in possession to stay behind the ball. It also highlights that if the ball is passed level or backwards it is assumed that the player is behind the ball. There can be situations were a player is in an offside postion and the ball is passed backwards but that will still be called offside if the player in an offside position moves back to play the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Fairness is in the eye of the beholder and in any event, doesn't matter.

It's really very simple. A player in offside position may not actively participate in play until offside resets.

So, 2 attacking players on a break away.

If the attacker without the ball, stays even with or behind the ball until it is passed, he will not be in offside position and even if the ball is passed forward, he will be free to run after it and play it