Question Number: 18964

Law 11 - Offside 5/2/2008

rich of rockwood, michigan usa asks...

This question is a follow up to question 18917

I have two players who are running toward the offensive 3rd of the field, both are on sides, when the player with the ball makes a forward pass, sending a player to goal. The recieving attacker goes by the last defender to recieve the pass(or run to catch up) to it and the ref whistles us for off side. My question is when can my player release to make his run to goal? If the last defender is standing still and not moving is it still offside? Does the ball have to go past the last defender before my 2nd attacker can make his run for the ball after the pass is sent? I was told that the ball must go past the last defender before my players can make the run. Is this true?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Ah, refs who make up their rules as they go. Gotta love'm - cause they make it all the more difficult for the rest of us when we enforce the Laws the next week.

If a player is not in an offside position when the ball is last touched by her teammate, there is no offside. Period, end of discussion. It doesn't matter where she moves to get the ball.

Hey coach, maybe next winter you can take one of the ref cert classes and join us good guys out on the field. You seem to know more than the one who is currently there. Any chance this was HS?

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Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I hope it wasn't a referee that told you this. Offside is judged at the moment the ball is played or touched by a teammate. In your scenario, the player without the ball is onside when the ball is played so he is free to participate in play....unless you have referees that don't know Law 11 Offside.

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Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

NOT true at all!
This referee reminds me once again of the myth that "hold the line" after a ball is kicked is still thought of as a good tactic by those who know, no better, while standing in a wall .
The positional restriction is ONLY in effect if when the ball was last touched /played into space to run onto by the team mate was the recieving player closer to the opposing goal line than the second last opponent and/or the ball? You claim they were ONSIDE at this time. The fact that the ball and players continue to move does not alter that basic fact established at the time of the freeze frame picture capuring the location of all involved. When this was REQUIRED to be evaluated there were no offside positionally restricted players to worry about.
Referee needs some retraining, please ensure the league's referee authorities are aware so some one can set him straight.
Cheers

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