Question Number: 15909

Law 11 - Offside 6/28/2007

RE: Rec, Competitive Under 13

Cheryl of Jamestown, USA asks...

RE: Offside Rule
If our defense stands across the half line into the opponents end, is the opponents offense able to enter our end of the field without being in an offside position?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

No, it is impossible to enter your half without being in an offside position. BUT, huge but here, Law 11 states It is not an offence in itself to be in an offside position. Further, if they are in their half when the ball is last touched by their side they can run into hour half WITHOUT committing an offside offence.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Remember there are 3 parts to offside position, and all 3 must be met:
(1) Ahead of the ball
(2) Ahead of the 2nd to last defender
(3) In the attacking half
There are no exemptions made based on the position of the opponents.

If you are in an offside position at the time your teammate touches the ball, you may not participate in play. But you may remain in that position as long as you are inactive.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Offside As long as the ball is not kicked into your half first and then the opposing team follow it. When no second last defender is in place the ball then decides that imaginary offside line.

Pushing up does force opposing players to be wary of their position and can force them back or render them ineligible to participate in play. You need to remember though it is not an offence to be offside positioned. Every touch of the ball by the opponent resets offside position for their team mates. And if you allow an onside player to beat your trap once that onside player has dribbled the ball past his offside positioned team mates and touches the ball it resets offside and you guys are in big trouble!
A key to remember is offside position is not always static! When the ball is last touched or played it sets up the criteria for WHO involvement is an issue! However, as the ball travels so can onside players into offside positions and play the ball fairly and legally and once they touch the ball the WHO from before maybe no more as well! When I hear a defender yell, ?Hold the line!? I often shake my head! Standing in a line with your hand up asking permission to go to the bathroom is all that is good for!
Cheers