Question Number: 14987

Law 11 - Offside 3/15/2007

RE: REC Under 19

Robert Baldwin of Wichita, KS USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 14976

I know this is a hard one to define, but the response seemed to revolve around "control". So, if the defender attempts to head the ball back up the field, but the attempted heading isn't very good, and the offside player gets the ball, how would you call it. It clearly was not a deflection since the defender truely attempted to "play" the ball. I guess I would relate it to a "woofed" kick, I would not call that a deflection, more a bad kick. There is differing opinions on this amoung the Refs in our region, so this would help get us all on track.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

There will always be divergent opinions as what constitutes a deflection to you may be different to me. I agree with you, a miffed shot or header is more than a deflection. If I think the ball has been played, even if played poorly, I reset offside.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Here is what US Soccer says about the subject, from Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game:

11.14 BECOMING "ONSIDE"

A player who is in an offside position at the moment the ball is played by a teammate can become "onside" in only four ways:

1. The player is not nearer to the opposing goal than the ball when it is next played by a teammate.

2. The positions of the opponents change so the player is no longer in an offside position when the ball is next played by a teammate.

3. An opponent intentionally plays or gains possession of the ball.

4. The ball goes out of play.

The key point for all of these, other than the obvious case (4), is that someone other than the player in the offside position has to play the ball; the player cannot put him- or herself "onside."

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

There are several factors to consider in whether a poor header (or kick, for that matter) is a deflection or is control. It is essential for the referee to get a feel for the game and the abilities of the players. U10's, if they are even allowed to head the ball, don't have much control on any heading situation. U19's playing in the State Cup finals are a totally different animal.

Also, remember that in any offside decision, when in doubt we are to favor the attackers. Usually the doubt involves determining whether a player is or isn't in an offside position, but it can also apply to involvement and deflections.