Question Number: 16710

Mechanics 9/15/2007

RE: AYSO (Recreation) Under 8

Joe Griego of Bishop, CA USA asks...

I was asked to assist as a lineman last Saturday, and the field referee had an interesting direction to me. He asked that I signal an "offside position" rather than signal an offside play.

Now, it sort of makes sense - when a team is attacking, and I signal a player is in an offside position, he will see that flag, and when the ball is kicked to that player, will know he was in an offside position. I lower the flag the instant no players are in an offside position.

The difficulty would be if I signaled a player in offside position, but he chose NOT to call an offside penalty because he felt the player was not involved in the play.

I see that it would cause coaches and parents to howl that the ref "ignored the flag" or otherwise missed the call.

What is standard practice for field referees and linesmen? Is it better for the linesman to raise the flag only on a perceived penalty (that is, the linesman thought a player was in an offside position, and WAS involved in the play), or would it be better to signal ANY player in an offside position, and let the field referee make the call as they wish?

I'm not looking to blame anyone for anything - I just want to know what common practice is, for field referees.

Thanks,

Joe Griego
Bishop, CA

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The standard practice is outlined in the USSF document Guide to Procedures for Referees, Assistant Referees and 4th Officials, found on the USSF website. That document tells us that the assistant referee is to make a determination that a player in an offside position is also participating in play, and only to raise the flag when both those conditions are met.

As you state, this referee opens himself up to calls from a dozen Soccer Mommy's and Daddy's: "Offside ref, offside. Look at your linesman!" If he is using this technique when he is the center, does he use it when he is an AR? I certainly wouldn't want that kind of "help" from my assistant.

Another problem is, when you put up your flag for offside position, how does the referee know how many players are in an offside position? The ball goes through to a player on the right side - was that player onside or offside? Maybe your flag was for the player on the left. That might not be a problem in a small-sided U8 game, but try it in a 11v11 game with several players dancing in and out of offside positions all the time, and it will come back to bite him.

You start your question by saying you were asked to assist as a linesman. Does that mean you were a spectator for your child's game, and were called upon to hold the flag? In such circumstances you are only to call the ball out of play, even if you also are a certified referee. You would be filling the position of "club line", and would be a biased participant, not an unbiased official unaffiliated with either team. Of course, if your referee tells you to do something, you follow his direction - whether right or wrong, wise or foolish.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Usually I ask a club linesman to try and remain where the second last defender happens to be. This shows me where the "offside line" is and I can make judgements regarding offside from there. In America it is not recommended a referee take the advice of a club linesman regarding offside and foul play. This is because so few are sufficiently knowledgebale of the Laws. You seem to understand some of the finer points of offside and, perhaps, knew more than this referee. Thanks for trusting us to "set things straight".

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Joe. What the Center referee asked you to do is insane. Players are in offside position all the time without an infraction. Were I to raise my flag for every player in offside position I'd have my flag up the entire game and the Center wouldn't have any clue as to which player I was pointing out. Club linesmen should merely signal when a ball is out of play and let the Referee make all the judgement calls

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Joe, simply a bad idea, remain with the second last opponent as much as you can! This helps a referee in recognizing possible positional situations. As a club linesman technically ball in and out no offside indicated. That said a flag raised by a non neutral official can be used if the man in charge is fair and willing to wave off any that he is certain need not be called and the teams and the club lines understand the situation. Flag up ONLY when 100% certain the violation HAS occurred!
Cheers