Question Number: 27795

Law 11 - Offside 9/22/2013

RE: Other

Arnold Buehler of Toledo, Ohio USA asks...

If a players feet are in their own half but their torso, head and arms are past the mid field stripe and are past the second to last defender all of this a curing at the time when the ball is played. Is the player on or offside?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Arnold
As part of the player (that can legally play the ball) is in the opposing half and there is no 2nd last opponent the player is in an offside position and he will be called offside when he interferes with play or an opponent.
See Slide 12 of the attached presentation
http://www.fifa.com/lotg/football/en/flash/start.html

It is a pretty rare offence and one that is very difficult to judge at speed.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The key to the answer is the standard when in doubt. Doubts are resolved as NOT offside. If the feet are in their own half, it is doubtful that the rest of them is not.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Of course, from your description we don't know where the players are in relation to the ball when it is played. I think we assume the players are ahead of the ball when it was played but from your description it is possible, if not likely, the teammate playing the ball is already past the halfway line which would put his teammates onside.
Hmmm, reading your question again, you don't say WHO is playing the ball. If an opponent, offside is not a consideration.
Sorry for being such a stickler.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 27841