Question Number: 29530

Law 11 - Offside 7/12/2015

RE: Other

Scott of Livermore, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 29526

I agree we should wait on a play where an offside player is simply chasing a ball, that the GK eventually collects, and it is reasonable to wave down an early flag. How about a a ball where the GK comes off his line to get it, but because of the proximity of the on rushing OSP the GK decides to kick the ball instead of picking it up. As mentioned, an early flag and whistle here makes since to avoid a collision. But what if the CR's attention is on the play, so he doesn't see the flag until after the kick? The defense would likely prefer to have the ball with an IDFK, as opposed to a rushed kick by the GK that might end up being intercepted. However, the player in an offside position never played the ball, so based on the recent rulings should play be allowed to continue?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

It is appropriate for the assistant referee to flag, and for the referee to call the offside when it appear that a collision may be imminent. The safety of the player supports not waiting for the collision.

But, when the referee doesn't see the flag, and there has been no collision, the referee must judge whether the player in offside position hindered the keeper's play of the ball. If so, the referee should call the offside for interfering with an opponent. If not, however, the keeper simply made a poor play of the ball, and play should continue.

The laws are not intended to cover for mistakes of players.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Scott
The decision rests with the referee as to whether the player in an offside challenged for the ball and interfered with the goalkeepers play of the ball. If he decides that the PIOP did in fact interfere then he can award the IDFK. If it was simply a poor play then play should continue. The challenge will be convincing the defending team after a poor play with a raised flag that there was in fact no interference.
I personally do not like wave downs unless there is a clear error or the team has gained an advantage with play continuing.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Scott,
the LOTG for offside allow the officials to decide if the offending PIOP (player in an offside position) has
(a) interfered with play or
(b) interfered with an opponent or
(c) gained an advantage after the ball has not been deliberately played by the opponents via a deflection or a rebound or after a deliberate save.

The AR raises his flag to COMMUNICATE his decision to the CR that the ORP (offside restricted player) has violated one of these 3 basic tenants of law. The CR if he spots an offside infraction or agrees with the AR's flag blows his whistle which STOPS play, unlike the raised flag which is the ADVISE by the AR to the CR to blow his whistle for an offside infraction. The raised FLAG is NOT a reason for an offside player to stop play or for a defender to desist pursuit. It is a CLEAR SIGNAL by the AR to the CR indicating his opinion there is an ORP unlawfully participating in play.

As a CR I dislike not stopping play for an offside flagged by my ARs unless I am 100% certain they are incorrect or it is 100% obvious an advantage has materialized to render such a decision to stop play pointless. Generally as CRs are rarely in a position to know with certainty, we live and die at the AR's competency level of interpretation. On the RARE occasions where the CR has noted with certainty something an AR may have overlooked or the advantage has clearly evolved one ...COULD... decide to wave off a flag. No matter the correctness of such a decision outcries and protests will often follow.

Situational awareness is a term I often use to explain the tactical understanding of officials to anticipate players movements and reactions. It is as if you are using a (Blood Pressure Monitor) to discern the the pulse of the match and the level of healthy activities that will not drive the rate too high or slow it too much.

How competent or observant a CR or AR reflects...THEIR... current understanding of the game and knowledge of the applicable laws.

It is...difficult... to make a single broad band statement covering every eventuality! There is a reason the often used acronym ...ITOOTR... is used.
Since the LOTG do allow for offside without a touch, there will be the odd flag when a PIOP is still in pursuit of the ball. FIFA even show a video indicating that a single offside player in pursuit of a ball that only ...HE... can play before an opponent or the ball goes, out into touch can be flagged .

Remember that two opposing players (one who is ORP) running towards each other at 20 plus miles an hour to both try and get to a ball in-between them the concept of playing distance and an effective challenge such a distance is much greater than say two standing players jumping to head a ball.

You have noted that an INDFK up at the midline might be preferable to the rushed kick. If as you state the CR's attention is on the play. the correct play is look for the AR input, respecting that decision honours the reason we try to teach effective, habits of good mechanics and communications. There again a good pregame sets this stage.
Offside is reset once a ball is deliberately played (but not a deliberate save) so the offside must OCCUR prior to that point! A raised flag means the AR is convinced, how sure are you as CR to say it was not?
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Scot,

In any scenario where there's even a small chance of the attacker challenging the keeper for the ball (as you've described), you should be looking for an early flag.

The main reason for this is that these collisions often end badly. Attackers often collide with keepers, the keeper takes offence, and they both spend the rest of the game trying for a cheap shot on each other. Or perhaps this is where the cheap shot is. Basically, these collisions often, end badly, so if we can prevent anything happening it will usually help us in the long term. And to justify it under the LOTG, we can put it under 'Interferes with an opponent'.

For these, the whistle should be blown before there's even a slim opportunity for a collision.

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

See Question: 29533