Question Number: 27148

Law 11 - Offside 1/31/2013

RE: Select Under 10

Danny Bjorklund of Mount Juliet, TN USA asks...

I am from TN, I was talking with some other coaches the other day about different tournaments. We got to talking about traveling to Alabama for tournaments and someone brought up the fact that there is no offsides rule in Alabama. Is this a fact? How can they alter the laws of the game!? Shouldn't the laws of the game be the same in all states? Please tell me that I heard wrong or please explain how US Youth Soccer allows this to happen?? Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Danny
Many Associations set their own Laws for underage small sided games and very young age groups. For example in the UK's FA small sided games there is no offside and there are some other Laws that are unique to small sided such as a Blue card instead of Yellow for disciplinary matters, some have ball height restrictions etc.
Once the game though becomes 11 v 11 any or all of the following modifications are permissible:
# size of the field of play
# size, weight and material of the ball
# width between the goalposts and height of the crossbar from the ground
# duration of the periods of play
# substitutions.
So yes the Laws of the Game are the same everywhere but at underage modifications are allowed and it is up to the referees to enforce those modifications once the assignment is accepted.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The recommendation of US Youth Soccer is that there be no offside through U10. One of our leagues here has implemented that rule. When they get to U11, it's very hard to teach the players to stay in position. AR's get a workout those first few weeks after the teams move up to U11.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

It's not the entire state of Alabama that does away with offside. It's just through U10, I believe, which is the recommendation of US Youth Soccer for the entire country