Question Number: 28053

Law 11 - Offside 12/9/2013

RE: Select competitive and adult rec Adult

Andy of Lake Orion, MI US asks...

This question is a follow up to question 27809

It appears that the two answers given thus far contradict each other. The first ref suggests that as long as the defender made a play for and touched the ball (even though it was ultimately unsuccessful) the offside was reset, but the second ref seems to imply that it has to be a very deliberate play to reset offside, the implication being a mere sliced play, for example, does not reset offside.

I ask this as it came up in my ref recertification this weekend and there were a lot of different interpretations. Is this covered in the USSF or FIFA advice to referees?

Thanks,
Andy

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

It's not in Advice to Referees from USSF, because that document has not been updated since the change in the Laws of the Game.

Here's what IFAB says in the Interpretations and Guidance section of the Laws:
-----------------------------------------
In the context of Law 11 – Offside, the following definitions apply:
• "nearer to his opponents' goal line" means that any part of a player's head,
body or feet is nearer to his opponents' goal line than both the ball and the
second-last opponent. The arms are not included in this defi nition
• "interfering with play" means playing or touching the ball passed or
touched by a team-mate
• "interfering with an opponent" means preventing an opponent from
playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent's
line of vision or challenging an opponent for the ball
• "gaining an advantage by being in that position" means playing a ball
i. that rebounds or is deflected to him off the goalpost, crossbar or an
opponent having been in an offside position
ii. that rebounds, is deflected or is played to him from a deliberate save
by an opponent having been in an offside position
A player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent, who
deliberately plays the ball (except from a deliberate save), is not considered
to have gained an advantage.
-----------------------------------------

The two answers in 27809 are not so much contradictory as they are an example of how interpretations may vary, especially when considering a written description. While the new definitions are a long way from some old practices of a mere twitch while in offside position = offside, there still is some room for individual interpretation.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Andy
Have a look at this FIFA video
http://garcia-aranda.com/offsideifab/eng004video007.html
The Red defender IMO makes a play at the ball but it deflects off him. Offside is not reset.
Now compare that to this video
http://garcia-aranda.com/offsideifab/eng004video008.html
The play is not a deflection or a rebound and offside is reset so play is allowed to continue.
Therein lies 'the in the opinion of the referee'.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Andy,

I don't think myself and Ref McHugh contradicted each other - it simply depends on how you interpret the word 'plays'.

'Plays' would indicate that there has been control. Simply sticking your leg out to attempt to intercept (and getting a touch but not being able to successfully control the ball) would not be considered to have played the ball.

Understandably it's an ambiguous term, and while FIFA sought to clarify the Offside law with the new changes, I fear the use of the term 'plays' simply muddies the water.