Question Number: 28633

Law 11 - Offside 8/6/2014

David McKitrick of , asks...

Can offside be called before the offside team (green) touches ball. For example If the ball goes near the corner kick area and the goalie (white team) is drawn to the ball can offside be called before the goalie or green team touches the ball?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi David
When it is likely that there is going to be contact between a player in an offside position and an opponent before the ball is touched offside can and should be called. Also where it is likely that there is only going to be one outcome with a lone player in an offside position going to play the ball then offside can be called there also.
In both situation there should be no doubt that offside will result.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi David,

Usually we wait until the attacker touches the ball for 'interfering with play' to be called, but there are a couple of exceptions.

If, for instance, that player is running for the ball and there's no chance of the ball going out or anybody else touching it, then you can call it early.

The other common situation is when the attacker is running towards the goal, the keeper is running away from the goal (straight each other) and there's a risk of a collision - that's because collisions in this situation are often nasty, and also often lead to retaliation later in the match.

However, simply drawing a player out of position isn't sufficient for offside. If it looks like the keeper is going to reach the ball first (and with enough time that he isn't under immediate pressure), then offside shouldn't be called. If it's going to be close, then even the immediate presence of the offside attacker will directly influence and distract the keeper, so you can justify blowing the whistle a bit early.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Yes, it is possible.

Being in an offside position is not an offense, and so, the usual way that players in offside position infringe the law is by touching the ball. But, players should be called offside if the interfere with an opponent's ablity to see or play the ball.

While the offside can also be called when it appears that no one in an onside position will be able to play the ball, the teaching in the US is that until someone actually touches the ball, the referee cannot be certain that no one from an onside position will run up and play it.

Answer provided by Referee MrRef

Recently a backlog of questions that were incorrectly addressed to Mr.Ref rather than the panel were transferred from an old file to be answered on this site. I hope the answers prove enlightening despite the long delay.