Question Number: 15826

Law 11 - Offside 6/19/2007

RE: Rec Under 15

Alexander of Kursk, Russia asks...

Two players are coming one-on-one to a goalkeeper. May one of them pass the ball to another? Isn't it an offside?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

You haven't described all the conditions needed for offside to apply.

You said two players one-on-one - I presume you mean that both attackers are past all the other defenders. That is the 2nd part of offside position.

The 3rd part is also probable - that they are in the attacking half of the field.

The 1st condition of being in an offside position is still to be determined. Was the player who received the pass ahead of the ball at the time his teammate last touched the ball?

Only after all 3 parts of offside position are established would we be considering an offside call, when participation in play happens.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

One train leaves from New York City at 8am the other leaves from Buffalo at 10am, given the rotation of the earth and the speed the trains are traveling - Q: How many cars are on the train leaving Buffalo?

Do you see the dillemma here? I haven't provided you with enough information to answer the question. I've given you some of the info you would need, but not nearly enough to draw the conclusion I have requested from you.

To help me answer your question - I would need to know the position of each attacker, and the position of the ball relative to each other - I would also need to know for a fact that the two players you reference are attackers and that one is not a defender. These things are important to deciding whether someone has violated Law 11.

Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Not enough inf0 here. If an attacker is closer to goal line than ball and 2nd last defender and on attacking half, then he is in an offside position. But to be penalized for it, that player must get involved in play.