Question Number: 27932

Law 11 - Offside 10/24/2013

Michael Quintanar of Manhattan, Kansas USA asks...

I apologize for yet ANOTHER question regarding the interpretation of Offside.

Scene: White is attacking and as they near the 24 line of the opponent's goal a Green player intercepts and kicks the ball in the opposite direction. The ball is struck hard and flies across mid-line and deep into White's side of the pitch. At the time of the kick all players with the exception of two (Green forward and GK) are in Green's side of the pitch . A single Green forward (G1) is standing two steps offside of mid-line. The ball lands and bounces/rolls towards the goal keeper. G1 chases after the ball but is 15+ yards behind it as the GK steps forward to meet and control the ball.

OK, here is where I am confused. Prior to the amendment I would have called offside as soon as G1 took off after the ball because he appeared to be making a play for it. Now I believe I need to be patient and wait to see what happens with the ball 1)will the GK control it and kick it away without interference from G1, in which case there is no offside violation; 2) or, wait for G1 to make one of the three moves that substantiates the offside violation call.

Does the amendment affect this scenario.

I have read and re-read Law 11 and I have asked other more seasoned referees their opinion. Sadly, most weren't even aware of the change. All said they would have whistled the call as soon as G1 turned and ran towards the ball.

The yelling and screaming from coaches/parents that takes place during the wait period (as bG1 chases and GK waits for the ball) makes me look like an idiot and makes me doubt my decision to wait.

Thank you all so much for taking time out to answer all of us rookie referee's questions.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Michael
What you describe is a matter of judgement. If the ball makes it all the way back to the goalkeeper and all that has happened is that Green 1 who was in an offside position chases after the ball that is not offside and has not been since 2005.
Now if Green 1 manages to get to play the ball or interferes with the goalkeeper's playing of the ball then we have offside.
The Laws allow for a player in an offside position to be be penalised before playing or touching the ball, if, in the opinion of the referee, no other team-mate in an onside position has the opportunity to play the ball. That is the judgement call based on what the referee believes will happen and its purpose is to prevent possible collisions invloving the PIOP and also a lengthy run that can only result in offside. Too often that has been abused with the flag going up early which makes it look like there has been no change to Law 11. Also the IDFK is taken from where the player was located when the ball was played through not from where he touches tha ball.
As regards the shouting I would ignore that. I hear plenty of shouting for offside when there is no offside decision to be made. As long as you get the call correct that is all that matters.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Running toward the ball is not an infringement of the offside law -either before the recent changes in language - or now. In fact, I believe that one of the reasons the language was changed was to make this clear.

So, when should the AR raise the flag?

A. If the player interferes with an opponent's ability to see or play the ball or makes a challenge for the ball. This usually happens when the player and defender are near the ball.

B. If there is any chance of a collision between the keeper and the player. It is not necessary to wait for an injury to conclude that the player interfered with the keeper's ability to see or play for the ball. Safety first. Raise the flag. The referee always has the last opportunity to see if the ball will safely reach the keeper's hands without incident and can waive down the flag if there is no danger.

C. If the AR is sure that there is no other attacker who could come and play the ball from an onside position. The problem, of course, is that the AR who wants to raise the flag as soon as the player runs toward the ball won't wait to see what happens. Too often, the flag goes up just as an onside player is racing from behind play. It is a bad flag, and the attacking team has been unfairly denied an opportunity to mount an attack. This is why the USSF's view is that the AR must wait - - sometimes the only way to tell if someone else can reach the ball is to wait until the ball is touched.

Parents and coaches have very little idea about the offside law. It is better for you to wait and see. Waiting won't make you look like an idiot. It will make you look like a professional.