Question Number: 27494

Law 11 - Offside 5/30/2013

RE: com Under 19

Nick W of Dorval, Canada asks...

Offside offence

As the assistant referee calls for an offside the assistant is at the center line with the second last player of the defending team. The attacking player is attempting to play the ball that was kicked to him by a team mate is near the defenders penalty arc. What is the procedure for the assistant to indicate not where the offside occurred as to near middle far side but location on the field?
In this case the penalty arc, I find many times the ball is brought back to location where the assistant is standing in this example center field. Is there a method to get the position correct and if so what is it?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Nick
The IDFK is taken from the location the player in an offside position was located when the ball was played / touched by a team mate not from where he finally touched the ball.
So the AR should raise the flag for offside and then when acknowledged move to the 'original' offside position. The flag signals can be viewed on page 93 of the current Laws of the Game and also at page 18 of the USSF Guide to Procedure
http://www.ussoccerref.com/docs/2011_Procedures.pdf

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The AR mechanic for an offside decision:

Stop. Square to field. Raise flag (US: in right hand).

When referee whistles, lower flag to indicate near, mid or far portion of field.

Then move along touchline to the spot perpendicular to where the restart should be (e.g., where the player in offside position was located when the ball was touched by a teammate).

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

See Question: 27532