Question Number: 29505

Law 11 - Offside 6/28/2015

RE: Rec Adult

Jerry Slota of Shelby, mi mi asks...

does a team have to have two players back in order for an offsides to happen, please explain offsides to me, please!

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Offside position is dependent on 3 things:
-- the ball
-- the 2nd to last opponent
-- the half line

If an attacker is closer to the goal line than ALL THREE of these at the time her teammate last plays/touches the ball, she is in an offside position. If she then participates in play, she should be called offside.

Notice that the second point says 2 opponents. It doesn't say what position those opponents are playing. Usually one of those opponents is the goalkeeper, as the keeper is usually closest to the goal line. But it could be any two players. The keeper could be the 2nd to last opponent, if another player was behind her. The keeper might not even be part of the offside consideration if she is playing up a ways. And believe me, it looks confusing as the assistant referee when that first happens, but you quickly adjust.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Jerry,
we have an OFFSIDE explanation posted on the main page which might help.
I suggest you check that link out.
I have a referee shirt with a message printed on it that says.
I CAN EXPLAIN IT TO YOU BUT I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND IT FOR YOU.
It is a fitting description for the confusion this simple concept seems to create.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jerry
FIFA at one time provided an animated explanation of offside. With a recent update to Offside Law 11 in 2013 it was removed from its website as it is a bit out dated. It is nonetheless though still a good resource to understand the principle of offside.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DCyP92TVWSQ
With the exception of the statements @ 4.11 + 5.05 which have been updated it is still a good explanation resource as the main principles of offside are unchanged.