Question Number: 30113

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/15/2016

RE: Varsity High School

JD of Dallas, Georgia USA asks...

Attacking player beats the last defender and plays the ball off to a teammate that is also goal side of the last defender. Offsides?

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

JD,

As per NFHS Rule 11-1-1, unless in his/her half of the field, a player is in an offside position when nearer to the opponents goal line than the ball or at least two opponents. To be offside, according to NFHS Rule 11-1-4, a player must be involved in active play; interfere with play or an opponent; or sees to gain an advantage at the time the ball is played by a teammate

In the situation that you provide, the teammate receiving the ball was involved in active play and seeking an advantage. However, you do not mention if the teammate is located between the ball and the goal or behind the ball when the attacking player plays the ball to the teammate.

Obviously, from the definition, if the teammate is between the ball and the goal when the ball is played by the player, the teammate would be offside. If the teammate is behind the ball (the ball is between the teammate and the goal) there would be no offside. Please let me know if you have any additional questions concerning the offside rule..

This looks like a great weather week for high school soccer in Georgia. Hopefully, it will be a successful one for your team.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi JD
The answer depends on the position of the team mate at the moment the ball is played to him. As the player is beyond the 2nd last opponent that player can still be in an onside position if he is behind or level with the ball attend moment the ball is played to him. If that player is front of the ball at that time he is in an offside position and cannot participate in active play.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi JD,
offside position is established based on certain parameters, (1) you need to be inside the opposition half
YUP you are, aren't you?
(2) 2nd last oponent you need to be closer to his goal line at the time a team mate contacts the ball
YUP you are! quote 'to a teammate that is also goal side of the last defender'
(3) and you need to be closer to the opposition's goal line than the ball at the time a team mate contacts the ball
so ARE YOU? quote 'Attacking player beats the last defender and plays the ball off '

Where is the team mate at that critical last moment when the ball is laid off?
He can be even with the ball or behind the ball, farther away than the opposing goal line and run onto the ball and NOT be guilty of offside OR the ball could be played back at angle towards him following and he is NOT be guilty of offside. If he is forward of the ball and the 2nd last opponent then he will be restricted from play if his team mate touches the ball over to him and he will be OFFSIDE.
Here is a video of a what I believe is a NON offside call incorrectly misdiagnosed as offside. Note the ball and the leaning team mate are even all though it looks like he is slightly ahead of the passer note how the front striding leg pushes the ball OUT in front of him thus keeping the ball and the receiver as even. A great deal of movement can occur AFTER the touch lays the ball off. This SHOULD have been a good goal in my opinion, have a look at 28668 and 28671
Cheers


http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-08-16-new-england-revolution-vs-portland-timbers/details/video/22997