Question Number: 15649

Law 11 - Offside 5/30/2007

RE: High School

John of Richmond, VA USA asks...

I had two almost identical incidents occur in a game where I was an AR involving offsides. I will do my best to be objective about it and appreciate any insight

The ball was played "through" the defense towards an attacker (A1) who was in an offside position. A defender was within playing distance of A1. A1 made a brief movement as though to play the ball, but then, noticing he was offsides, he stopped moving. At that point another attacker (A2), who was in an onside position when the ball was played ran swiftly by both the defender and A1 to play the ball. I raised my flag to signal offsides since I believed the defender was originally reacting the through ball that went by A1, hence A1 was interfering with play, but the referee waved it down and allowed play to continue.

Based on some USSF guidelines for offside that i have read, it seems like this call could have gone either way depending on what i thought the defender was reacting to.

Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If you believe that A1 was interfering with a defender, then the offside call would be correct. However, you said, "I raised my flag to signal offsides since I believed the defender was originally reacting the through ball that went by A1 ..." To me, this does not sound like A1 did anything to D; D was playing the ball. Unless A1 was in his way, it doesn't sound like A1 interfered. It's hard to tell from a written description, you really had to be there to see it.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The assistant referee must consider not raising the flag until the touch in this situation exactly because the offside player may give up his play for the ball at anytime. In this case he did! The first line of Law 11 reads: It is not an offence in itself to be in an offside position. When you raised your flag you made it an offence!

That's not to say you, the assistant, saw a definite interferes with an opponent infraction. If that's the case and you were asking the referee for a sanction, based on interferes with an opponent, he had a different opinion than you.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi John,
It is true that it still reads as an opinion whether the offside player actually interfered with play but defenders should NEVER EVER stop playing thinking the flag will save them. Only a whistle by the referee can do that! He chose not to whistle and overruled your flag. While rare it does indicate the referee felt he had a better look at the situation. Such things should be discussed pregame and reviewed post game.

Recent offside revisions and clarification (NOT changes) to offside law have narrowed the area of involvement to actual physical touches of the ball, in many cases, especially when a non offside team mate is in the mix but interferring with an opponent. As a judgement call it is speculative as to how much distraction, gesture or movement ACTUALLY prevents an opponent from legitamately challenging for ther ball.

I was taught to keep the flag down when it was uncertain.
I belive the motto still applies today.
When in doubt DO NOT WAVE it about!
Remember what a defender THINKS plays no part in a decision! Only judge the actions of the offside player as to the realistic effect it has on an opponent to not be able to play the ball without interference.
Cheers

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

See Question: 15797