Soccer Referee Resources
Home
Ask a Question
Articles
Recent Questions
Search

You-Call-It
Previous You-Call-It's

VAR (Video Assistant Referee)

Q&A Quick Search
The Field of Play
The Ball
The Players
The Players Equipment
The Referee
The Other Match Officials
The Duration of the Match
The Start and Restart of Play
The Ball In and Out of Play
Determining the Outcome of a Match
Offside
Fouls and Misconduct
Free Kicks
Penalty kick
Throw In
Goal Kick
Corner Kick


Common Sense
Kicks - Penalty Mark
The Technical Area
The Fourth Official
Pre-Game
Fitness
Mechanics
Attitude and Control
League Specific
High School


Common Acronyms
Meet The Ref
Advertise
Contact AskTheRef
Help Wanted
About AskTheRef


Soccer Rules Changes 1580-2000


Panel Login

Question Number: 30447

Law 11 - Offside 5/22/2016

RE: Competive Under 18

Sean of Davenport, FL USA asks...

My question is about the offsides rule.

I had the ball moving towards the opposing team's goal. I was well behind all the defenders. As I got to just inside the 18 I passed the ball backwards to my teammate who was also closer to the goal then all the defenders.

It was basically the 2 of us going at the goal keeper as I had gotten past all the defenders. I could of taken the shot but I passed it backyards to my teammate who was about 5 yards behind me and the ball.

The referee rules her offsides?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Sean
As described the referee was in error here. A player cannot be in an offside position behind or level with the ball. Your team mate was 5 yards onside and it made no difference that she only had the goalkeeper between herself and the goal.
Law 11 states and I quote
* A player is in an offside position if: he is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than BOTH the ball and the second-last opponent.* BOTH highlighted by me. Your team mate was not nearer the goal line than the ball just the 2nd last opponent which is not enough to be in an offside position.
I would point out that offside is one of the most frequently asked topics and one that many including inexperienced referees get wrong.





Read other questions answered by Referee Joe McHugh

View Referee Joe McHugh profile

Answer provided by Referee James Sowa

Sean,

This seems to be an error by the Referee/AR. As long as the player was behind the ball when it was played, it should not be offside. From the sounds of it, this should have been a good goal.



Read other questions answered by Referee James Sowa

View Referee James Sowa profile

Ask a Follow Up Question to Q# 30447
Read other Q & A regarding Law 11 - Offside

Soccer Referee Extras

Did you Ask the Ref? Find your answer here.


Enter Question Number

If you received a response regarding a submitted question enter your question number above to find the answer




Offside Question?

Offside Explained by Chuck Fleischer & Richard Dawson, Former & Current Editor of AskTheRef

<>
This web site and the answers to these questions are not sanctioned by or affiliated with any governing body of soccer. The free opinions expressed on this site should not be considered official interpretations of the Laws of the Game and are merely opinions of AskTheRef and our panel members. If you need an official ruling you should contact your state or local representative through your club or league. On AskTheRef your questions are answered by a panel of licensed referees. See Meet The Ref for details about our panel members. While there is no charge for asking the questions, donation to maintain the site are welcomed! <>