Question Number: 15381

Law 11 - Offside 5/4/2007

RE: competitive Adult

Craig Randle of Vancouver , B.C. Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 15270

Hi Guys..Thanks for your input on my question 15270 regarding the recinding of red cards. I passed the info along to those involved. My question this time concerns the offside rule. Please clarify this--a player runs offside. A ball is played up to him and before he plays it or the ref blows his whistle, he realizes where he is and turns back without playing it. I am assuming he needs to get back onside by getting in front of the last defender but when can he run back towards the ball? I watched a game where a player was told by his coach-DONT TOUCH THE BALL!- until the opposing team touches it. Sounds confusing but this all happened in about 4 seconds, so the pressure was on the official to make a very quick call or non-call. It looked to me like the striker did not run all the way back, and eventually did get the advantage. The ref was silent during this play. Thanks for your time.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The referee needs to decide if the player in the offside position got involved in play. It is possible for an attacker to get involved in play w/o touching the ball. If a player tuns his back to the ball w/o playing it, then he most likely did not involve himself w/ play. That is unless he impeded another opponents view or movement.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If he waits until the defense passes him, he is no longer in an offside position. But has offside been reset? Not until something else happens. He can't just run to an onside position, and then decide to become involved in play.

Offside can be reset by the opposition taking control of the ball, or by the offside-positioned player not being in an offside position when a teammate next touches the ball, or if the ball goes out of play. The player cannot do anything on his own that will reset offside considerations.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Craig. One of those pleasant times when the coach is correct, well sort of. A player in offside position when the ball is played or touched by a teammate CANNOT put himself onside. He may not actively participate in play until offside is reset by 1. an opponent controlling the ball (touching is not enough) 2. A teammate touches the ball and he's no longer in offside position, or 3. the ball goes out of play

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Initially, the only time this player should be given offside is when he interferes with an opponent by blocking his vision, path or interferes with play by the ball hitting him. When he starts moving around things change. he is able to interfere with an opponent much more easily. Further, until the ball is touched by one of his own side AND he has found a position not offside he must not participate. If his opponents gain control of the ball the restrictions of Law 11 no longer apply until his side, again, touches the ball and his offside position has not changed.

Regards,