Question Number: 28049

Law 11 - Offside 12/8/2013

RE: High School

Alan Van Nevel of Ridgecrest, Ca Us asks...

Regarding offsides mechanics: a through ball is played near the center of the field. One player is in an offside position and begins to chase the ball. The original passer also is chasing the ball. It is unclear who will reach or play ball first.

I am presuming the correct mechanic is to go with play, ie follow the ball, until it is clear that the offside player will play the ball or has interfered with play. Then AR raises flag, indicates near mid or far when acknowledged, and then moves to spot of infraction?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Alan

Yes the mechanics would be to follow play and then raise the flag vertically to indicate that there is offside when that happens. The referee should clearly understand that it is an offside flag. Once the offside flag is acknowledged the AR then points near, middle or far. When that is done the AR then moves to the point of the offside infraction.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Yes. The AR needs to continue down the touchline. An onside player may be the one to reach the ball, and the AR needs to be in correct position to make the call the next time the ball is touched by a teammate. Problems can arise when the AR is standing 20 yards up the line.

Follow the ball down the line. Remember the players who were in offside position. Stop and face the field once any of them interferes with play, interferes with an opponent, or gains an advantage. Signal. Then, move back up the touchline perpendicular to where the PIOP was located when the ball was last touched by a teammate.