Question Number: 15889

Law 11 - Offside 6/26/2007

RE: Adult

Al of Sarnia, Ontario Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 15863

Hi Guys:

Thanks for the responses on my mechanics question re: off-side.

I guess my "scenarios" were read a tad wrong because I tried to limit my writing -- you guys must put in long days like I do. No offense taken, but I did wish to clarify. :)

In both scenario, attacking player was on-side (definitely not positioned off-side) when ball was kicked by team mate and moved to off-side position while ball was in flight and before it was deflected (by someone in a crowd).

In these cases where there is an "on-side" kick and a subsequent "off-side" deflection, I find that keep flag down or wave off raised flag and chat (only needed if a goal is scored) is best even with extremely qualified AR's.

In our Canada scenario, both may have seen a Hume touch, then they are both right (offside, no goal). If AR was sure player was off on original kick, both are right (offside, no goal).

FIFA clearly permits verbal communication with an AR in Law Book. If referee is asking himself, "What is sequence here?", what is wrong with wave off for now and subsequent chat -- even at this level? At some point, even the highest referees have to purposefully demonstrate they are human. It teaches those at the grassroots levels great lessons. Could this have been one such time?

Al

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

No sweat Al ,
we do what we do because it gives us meaning and comfort to share and learn as well as explain things about this great game!
I know that without a proper comma or a tad different inflection we do not always paint a clear mental picture with written words.

As to mechanics for me as a referee I am loath to wave off a raised flag UNLESS ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN it is necessary. It could occur more often at the youth or recreational level than elite to be sure.
What has to occur is the trust and faith the referee must place in the AR which is why they try to group three individuals together for long periods of time at the elite level. The referee is well is well aware of the responsibilitities he delegates to his AR especially when to and when not to raise that flag. The ARs usually have superior positioning. It is drilled into them from day one in every seminar or recert and in every pregame and talked about in every post game. The AR ONLY raises his flag IF he is certain there IS an infringment. A referee waves off a flag only if he is even more certain there is not!

If the AR was unsure, he does not raise the flag, he could stand at the goal line and look at the referee after the goal signifying I think this goal has issues. If he thought the goal good the AR runs to assume kick off position.
The referee goes over and they chat and if the AR says I did not see who that deflection came off and the referee says it was opponent the AR says ok no problem and no one the wiser goal stands. However the flag was raised and a whistle blown stops the play there is no wiggle room to allow the goal the AR had to have kept his flag down.

I see no reason not to flag if I know a teammate of the offside positioned attacker deflected the ball. It becomes a last touch after the kick.
If I was unsure whom it deflected off then we stand and wait eye contact at the goal line and confer with the referee.
I have no issues talking with the AR if there is doubt but just because a team complains on a close call does not grant an extention to extend the restart time for the opponents.

When is the last time you saw a team argue and get a referee to reverse a decision? Arguing is dissent! Dissent is cautionable!
I have short quiped an explanation to help sooth the irritated but I make no apologies for saying yea or nay as I see fit!

In a tournament last year I had a young 16 year old attacker scoff at me at how could he be offside as there was a defender and a keeper in front of him. I replied that defender was not there when the ball was kicked he ran faster than you and was waiting for the ball same as you. The time it takes a ball to arc and come across the field to you allows much time for things to change positionally on the pitch. That is why you need to watch the play not just the ball. Are we Happy Now? Good another word and you will be seeing some yellow sunshine capish?
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Jon Sommer

Referees at this level will always go with their AR. They give them responsibilities and the ARs themselves are highly qualified officials in their own right. I would hardly ever wave off one of my ARs flags for offside, it is highly unlikely that I will be in line to judge it. I am english, and have watched this on youtube...the commentator says something like "This was not the referees call, his linesman gave it and he didn't have the guts to overcall" Now this is someone that doesn't understand the game in the slightest. guts to overall??? U don't overall a decision at this level. you are a team. The more these guys get put down by u guys, the better your game will become. Because i feel they are ruining it and still wonder how David Beckham is going to get on over there. the commentators i mean.