Question Number: 27272

Law 11 - Offside 3/27/2013

RE: Rec Adult

Scott of Lake Panasoffkee, Fl United States asks...

During a small sided game,7v7, all the players for the blue team minus the keeper are on the red teams side of the field. The red defender boots the ball across midfield and it is then played by a red striker who came from his (red) side of the field. Is this considered off-side since all blue players were by the goal of the red team?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Scott
Generally offside is not part of small sided games. Assuming though that offside Law 11 did apply then the Red player is not offside as he cannot be in an offside position in his own half of the field of play.
If he was in the Blue opponents' half then he would be in an offside position as he is nearer to his opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent. It makes no difference that all the Blue opponents are all located in the Red team's half. So the only possible way here for the Red player to stay onside it not to cross the half way line into the Blue half.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

No. A player who is in his own half when the ball was last touched by a teammate is never in offside position.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

No. If when the ball was kicked by his teammate the player in question was in his half of the field, he cannot be offside. To be in an offside position, at the moment the ball is touched or played by his teammate the player must be:
1. In the attacking half of the field
2. By nearer the oposing goal line than the next to last opponent and
3. Be nearer the opposing goal line than the ball.