Question Number: 15940

Law 11 - Offside 7/4/2007

RE: Under 15

Kyle Kenney of Ontario, Canada asks...

Another offside question..

I drew an illustration for my question:
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/7121/balluv6.png

If the attacker (Red) passes the ball to another attacker (Player A) who's in an offside position.. but the ball gets intercepted by the Defender (Player B), then Player A goes to play the ball. Is it an offside?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Without looking at your diagram I only ask this one question: is he or is he not interfering with that opponent? The answer to that one question determines if an offside offence has been committed.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Kyle,
offside positioned player A does what??? BEFORE The ball is controlled and possessed by defender B?
Offside is not judged upon what the opponent B does but by what the offside player A does!
If offside player A simply stands and waits, then AFTER defender B intercepts the ball and gains control and possession player A is permitted to rejoin active play!
If player A decides to rejoin active play through trying to close down defender B limiting B's opportunity to control anfd possess the ball without hassel, A's proximity and forward movement is likely grounds for inteference or gaining an advantage.
Cheers