Question Number: 28688

Law 11 - Offside 8/25/2014

RE: Adult

Mitch of Ottawa, Ontario Canada asks...

Two forwards break away and they're alone facing the goalie. The forward with the ball passes the ball to his team mate who is level with him.

Goal or offside?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Not 'him' we are worried about, it is the ball!
Mitch when there is no 2nd last opponent, the ball is the imaginary line to which the freeze frame snap of position is gauged. The leading edge of the ball closest to the opposing goal line is the line the receiving player's playable body parts cannot precede at that critical moment when the ball is played to him by the team mate.
Often when two attackers are in on the goal and one slides the other a pass the ball is sitting up on the front leading foot of the passer! The receiving player is often leaning forward and continues his run even as the passer slows down or stops once the pass is delivered. This looks suspiciously offside, but it is not, as long as the forward lean of the head or striding leg is NOT ahead of the ball upon the last touch. It can be even with the ball!
ARs frequently get this call incorrect because they can not be sure, so tend to bail out with an offside because it kind of looks that way so quickly, given the movement, but in fact, it likely is more often NOT offside! Of course each evaluation is subject to the angle of view and ability to discern the last touch and positions clearly! Easy on slow motion camera, bit tricky in full speed ahead mode. Be FAIR, a good referee with integrity sees what he sees but reward good attacking play whenever possible! That is why, our saying of , 'WHEN IN DOUBT, DO NOT WAVE IT ABOUT!' is preferred as it is more likely to be not offside. Besides if the defenders are so inept as to allow a two on zero attack, a dodgy offside call is not a good bailout in my opinion.
CHEERS

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mitch
The key reference points in determining offside are the position of the 2nd last defender and the ball. If the player is level with or behind the ball he is not in an offside position.
During play that can be a very difficult call and to determine at speed. Have a look at this video which was provided on another question and tell me if the scorer is ahead of the ball? The AR thought he was although I believe that he wasn't. It might even look by the leaning angle of the passer that the scorer is ahead of his team mate. The position of the ball is what counts
http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-08-16-new-england-revolution-vs-portland-timbers/details/video/22997

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

See Question: 28791