Question Number: 29190

Law 11 - Offside 2/19/2015

RE: All Other

Scott of Livermore, CA USA asks...

Say a player is in an offside position, about 40 yards from goal, and there is a thru ball near and parallel to touch. It is unclear if the OSP will reach the ball before it crosses the goal line. The keeper is staying near his goal area and clearly will not be making a play on the ball. It is my understanding that in this scenario we are not to signal offside until the OSP actually touches the ball. If the ball crosses the goal line, or the touch line we simply signal for a goal kick or a throw-in. My question is what should an AR's mechanics be if the OSP eventually catches up to the ball and plays it? My assumption is we should be trying to stay with the ball, but then once the touch occurs we should raise our flag, wait for a whistle, signal near, middle, or far side with our flag, then run back up the line (maybe 30 or 40 yards) to the point the OSP started when the ball was first kicked. This seems odd, but is it correct?

Also, given the same scenario, say a fast defender beats the attacker and reaches the ball first. If the attacker immediately challenges the defender for the ball, say virtually simultaneously, I say it is offside. Correct? At what point do you decide that the attacker is no longer offside due to the defender's play on the ball?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Scott
The mechanics you mention is correct. The AR should wait and see what develops and if the offside criteria is met then the offside is flagged as noted. If it is clear that the ball is destined to go out of play then the AR should wait for that to happen
The Laws allow for the offside to be called sooner when it is clearly obvious that no onside player can play the ball.
In respect of your second question the AR needs to consider if the player in an offside position challenges the opponent for the ball before or close to play on the ball. The timing of the challenge is the important factor and if the defender gains unfettered control of the ball free from pressure by the PIOP then no offside offence is present.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Scott,
YES!, in a situation where a ball can exit the field of play and an offside opponent ...might... get to it, you are correct to wait! That said, if that offside player is the ONLY one who has any chance to get to the ball and the ball is only ...possibly... headed out for a goal kick or an opposition throw in, an indfk for offside from further up field is in my opinion a choice only if you are not certain the ball IS going out!. Especially when working multiple matches in tournaments lol If he was chasing a corner kick ball or it is his throw in I would wait and see if he actually loses possession of the ball when he did not have too!

A fast defender giving chase, the issue is for you not to permit a collision or observe if the offside attacker creates a challenge or interferes with the defender's ability to get to the ball.

Your question asking when is an offside player permitted to rejoin play it will be ...AFTER... an opponent deliberately plays the ball without being challenged or interfered with.

The three exceptions are deflection, rebounds and after a deliberate save.

The key point on deflections and rebounds in thinking about the opportunity to deliberately play the ball! The defender must not be impeded by the offside opponent in any challenge for the ball or interfered with by having to move around the offside player or for the ball to be blocked from view.

That said a misplay or mistake is NOT the same as a deflection or rebound in the EXACT same way deliberate handling is viewed as a yes it is or no it is not decision. Lots of deliberate handling fouls are not based on the intentional desire to commit the foul, simply a deliberate movement to play the ball. A miss kick or poor header is often a MISTAKE made when choosing to deliberately play the ball! We do not award offside for a mistake, if it was a DELIBERATE PLAY!

HOWEVER, the position or movement of the feet or head, hands or body apparently trying to react does not necessarily mean the ball was deliberately played!

There are criteria one can use to determine a deliberate play from an impact creating a deflection or a rebound!

DISTANCE: How far away is the ball? ?
FLIGHT PATH: Is the ball's speed, direction, or angle altered on its way towards the player?
SPEED: How fast is that ball moving?
SPACE: is there room to react?
TIME: Is there time to prepare?
IMPACT: Does the ball strike the player, without the player being aware or time to react?

An impact is NOT deliberately playing the ball, nor a mistake, it is either

{a} rebound which is a ball that bounces back after impacting a hard surface or
{b} deflection which is a ball that alters it trajectory or being caused to change direction upon impact.

As I often say I can explain to you, it but I can not understand it for you. Each decision is your opinion on a fact of play based on your current level of knowledge and experience on the LOTG. It also embodies another truism which reflects this attitude being your match, your decision, your reputation. Good luck out there! Be fair! Be consistent! Beware ,as no matter what decisions you arrive at 50% of those watching will find ways to disagree! Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Wait and see. A goal kick is the correct answer in your first question if the ball leaves the field of play.

On your second question, AFTER a defender has made a deliberate play on the ball (not a deliberate save), any opponent may challenge for the ball. So, the issue for the referee is BEFORE the defender made a deliberate play, did the player in offside position made a challenge for the ball, or to do something that interfered with the defender's ability to see or play the ball? Look for: Action that Affected the Outcome!