Question Number: 15251

Law 11 - Offside 4/23/2007

RE: Grade 8 Adult

Rick Czechowski of San Diego, CA USA asks...

With regards to Law 11, consider the following scenario. Attacking team player A successfull dribbles around the last defender, crosses the ball up-field to player B, who is behind the ball but ahead of the second to last defender. Obviously, no offside up to this point. Then, player B passes the ball forward to player C, who is ahead of player B, but behind player A, who originally crossed the ball. Player C shoots and scores. Assuming all three attacking players are ahead of the second to last defender, should the goal stand, or should player C have been flagged for offside?

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

If player C was in offside position at the time his teammate played ball to him, then he is offside. In other words if player C was 1. closer to ball than goal line and 2nd last defender and 2. On attacking half at moment ball touched player B, then he was offside and should be penalized.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Notice my colleague wonders where the third player was in relation to the ball. That is what you should ask yourself. That means the referee should ask this after he sees they are past the last but one OPPONENT or last two opponents [not defenders]. Without that knowledge the referee can not determine offside position nor can he sanction for an offside offence.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

It matters not where player C was in relation to his TEAMMATES. It only matters where he was in relation to the BALL and the OPPONENTS which you have not told us.