Question Number: 28834

Law 11 - Offside 10/8/2014

RE: 2 Under 13

Colin Baty of Curitiba, Parana Brazil asks...

I asked this question some weeks ago but didn't get a reply.

This concerns Offside. Can the attacker be in an ONSIDE position if when the ball is kicked, the attacker is past the last defending player and the goal line?

I do know the attacker is OFFSIDE when the attacker is between the second last defender and goal line.

I do know he is ONSIDE if he is level with the last 2 defenders and the goal line.

My question again is the attacker ONSIDE or OFFSIDE if the attacker is past the LAST defender?

I do hope you can help, as I am having an argument with someone over this and it is not stated in the laws of the game.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

There are three requirements to be in offside position.

1. The player must be in an opponent's half. So, the technical answer to your Q is no. Even if all of the opponents are further away from the goal line than a player, the player who is in his own half when the ball is kicked by a team mate is NOT offside. When a player is in her own half, the position of the opponents is irrelevant.

2. The player must be closer to the opponent's goal than the 2LD. (Your question).

AND

3. The player must be closer to the opponent's goal line than the ball. Again, the technical answer to your question is no. If the player is even with the ball, then the position of the 2LD is irrelevant.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Colin,
in fact it was answered On Sept. 18th 2014 question 28747. Perhaps it was a lost email? I hope you receive this one!

if you can look at question 28668 and look at the video below! Watch the ball and the receiving player! Just imagine no opponent is in between the two attackers and the opposing goal line to set it in line with your question.
http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-08-16-new-england-revolution-vs-portland-timbers/details/video/22997

Offside is simply a positional interpretation, it LITERALLY means a player is off his side in that he can not participate in ongoing play because by the fact of his position he is OFFSIDE, but that is not an offside infringement.

For an INDFK to be awarded that offside player must be involved in interfering with play i.e. touching the ball, interfering with an opponent or gaining an advantage off a deliberate save, rebound or deflection.

Quote
This concerns Offside. Can the attacker be in an ONSIDE position if when the ball is kicked, the attacker is past the last defending player and the goal line!
Answer
YOUR description is difficult to interpret it sort of tells me the attacker could be off the field of play, so he is judged as being on the goal line.
Yet if he is closer to the opponents goal line than any opponent while in the opponents half.

Who kicks this ball? Opponent or team mate?

WHERE is the BALL In relationship to where this player is?
When the opponents are not in the offside criteria then the ball location takes precedent.

If this player is even or behind the ball when the team mate last touches the ball he is ONSIDE the opponent's defending positions are irrelevant.

If the ball is deliberately played by a opponent and is not a deliberate save then he is ONSIDE as the ball is last touched by an opponent.

If it is a team mate who touches the ball and our receiving player is closer to the opposing goal line than the ball then he will be OFFSIDE

If the ball deliberately saved by an opponent off a shot by one of his team mates he could be guilty of gaining an advantage depending on where the shot occurred based on ball location and player location If he was offside he is still OFFSIDE!

If he was onside behind the ball when the shot was taken then he could still be ONSIDE

Quote
My question again is the attacker ONSIDE or OFFSIDE if the attacker is past the LAST defender?
Answer
If the attacker is closer to the opposing goal line than all his opponents, the ball location is brought into the equation. If he is still closer than any opponents and the ball to the opposing goal line while within the opponents half he will be in an OFFSIDE position. Being in an offside position is NOT an offence, he must become involved in active play!


ONCE a player is caught as being in an offside position at the critical moment when his team mate last played/touched the ball he is restricted no matter what he does and where he goes because NOTHING an offside restricted player 'ORP' can do on his own will change anything

There are only 3 stages of play that could allow an offside restricted player (ORP) to rejoin active play.

One - a NEW teammate's touch of the ball
(1) Condition one requires the former offside restricted player to no longer be in an offside position when this new touch occurs. Offside reset occurs at ANY teammate touch of the ball deliberate or accidental creating a NEW phase of play with a new freeze frame snap shot of the new positioning of the players on the field

Two - opposing player deliberately plays/controls the ball
(2) Condition two must simply occur, offside position is not part of the equation because condition one no longer applies the former restricted offside player can legally contest ball possession if his opponents now have actually touched the ball with unchallenged control/possession which frees a previously restricted offside positioned attacker to rejoin active play no matter his position on the field

There are 3 exceptions pertaining to gaining an advantage
If the opponent/defender touch of the ball is deemed in the opinion of the officials to be a
- rebound
- deflection
- deliberate save
these WILL NOT RESET nor change an attacking opponents' restricted offside status!

Three - the ball goes out of play
(3) Condition three requires a restart of play!
Three restarts are free from any offside criteria by either team (Throw-in, Corner kick, Goal kick) where position is NOT a factor at the moment of the kick
A NEW positional offside evaluation will occur ONLY from the team taking the kick be it indk or direct as there is a new touch of ball by the attacking team/or team mates. The opponents are exempt because condition two now applies
Cheers