Question Number: 3417

Law 11 - Offside

RE: Adult

David Francis of Portsmouth, England asks...

Something you see at any ground about twice a season - and on telly: atacking side beats the offside trap just inside opponets' half; attacker runs in on goal, draws the keeper and then slips the ball to a colleague who taps in. It looks as if the second player is offside at that point. Is it true that if the ball is passed back to him, he's OK. But surely sometimes it's passed forwards...?

Answer provided by Referee Gartenhaus

David,.This is why at any game, it is very important that the Linesman stay even with the second to last defender OR the ball, whichever is closer to the defender's goal line. If the person that receives th ball is behind the ball at the time it is played by his teammate, there is no offside called. If he is closer to the goal line than the ball when it is played by his teammate, and there are less than 2 defenders between him and the goal line, then offside should be called.

Answer provided by Referee stewart

Whether the ball is passed forward or backward is irrelevant. The important part in deciding whether a player is offside is his position in relation to the ball. The law states that 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. In the play you describe, as long as the player remains behind the ball, he cannot be penalised for being offside.

Answer provided by Referee Dawson

Hi David,.as my colleagues have stated the obvious factors there is little to add. .At times the recieving player is slightly ahead of the player who is carrying the ball. The BALL is even with the recieving player when his team mate touches it over. Often it will incorrectly thought to be OFFSIDE due to looking at body position only. .Also a ball carriers speed when passing is not usually as fast as a person running beside him so in the time it takes to play the ball across a sight seperation occurs where offside might apply. .Just remember to freeze frame the picture at the moment the ball is last touched. .If you watch the TV screen they stop, rewind and oh so slowly give us that dead stop, frame by frame look. It is not easily seen by the human eye. The AR has a incredably tough assignment. We can only strive to do our best. CHeers