Question Number: 22960

Law 11 - Offside 3/17/2010

RE: recreation Under 13

Mike of Chino Hills, CA USA asks...

A player is in an offide position when the ball is passed to him by a teammate. The pass is just wide of the offside player. The defender is able to retrieve the ball first, and briefly control it. The offside player also moved towards the ball, and immediately pressured the ball as soon as the defender settled it. Would this be interfering with an opponent? If the defender has some control over the ball, is it now okay for the offside player to challenge the ball?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Mike
This would indeed be interfering with an opponent. For the offside to be reset the defending team would have to have control of the ball and another phase of play commenced. Even if the ball was controlled by the defender and he was immediately challenged by the player then the attacker in the offside position has benefitted from his position. However if the same defender controlled the ball and passed it to an unmarked teammate then offside has been reset or he controlled the ball and dribbled the ball away with an opportunity to pass or clear the ball then offside has been reset.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

It certainly sounds like interfering with an opponent, based on your description. The key words are 'immediately pressured'. Each referee will decide how long 'immediate' is.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The USSF addressed the issue in 2009, identifying whether the player in offside position is in the zone of play to determine interference with an opponent.

'Law 11 uses the term 'active play' to assist in the definition of determining an offside infringement. 'Active play' is a term that varies depending upon the skill and age level of the players.

The higher the skill level of the players, the smaller the area of 'active play.' In other words, the closer the offside positioned player must be to an opponent for the player to be judged to have "interfered with an opponent. Skilled players have a greater ability to adjust to and play in tighter situations and are less affected by opponent positions.

The lower the skill level of the players, the larger the area of 'active play.' In other words, offside positioned players may be further from the opponent to be judged to have 'interfered with an opponent.' At lower skill levels, match officials have slightly more leeway to determine 'active play' and 'interfering with an opponent.'

IMO, at a recreational level, a very wide zone should ensure the defender has full and unfettered possession and control of the ball before the PIOP may again challenge for the ball.

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