Question Number: 16068

Law 11 - Offside 7/19/2007

RE: 3 Adult

Colin Ellis of Regina, Saskatchewan Canada asks...

By definition, you cannot be offside in your own half of the field. What constitutes being in your own half? If a player has a foot in each half of the field, straddling the centerline, is this player in an offside position?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The definition for offside position with respect to the center line would be the same as those for position with respect to an opponent. If any portion of the body which the player can legally use to play the ball is in the opponent's half, offside considerations would apply. So for example if your head, nose, tailbone, big toe or kneecap is across the line, you can't get involved in play.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

In a class I ask my students if they would recognize Pamela Anderson. They always say yes... Then I continue with DID you know she had a twin brother, Rock Anderson?

Right picture the two standing on the halfway line. Both are exactly on the line but Rock's chest is not past the edge of the line, he is in his own half. Think about Pamela in exactly the same position, can she score a goal with those? The boys/men usually smile first...

Those over the line put her in an offside psoition.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

As long as the only part of you over the halfway line is your arms then you are in your half of the field! But that would look kind of silly, so recommend keeping all of you, whether you are Pamela or Fabio on or behind the halfway line.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Colin,
any legal playable body part on the opponents side of the 5 inch centre line could be recognized as offside positioned. In your case one leg, comprised of thigh, knee, foot and 5 toes, one side of the head includes ear, 1/2 the chest/torso (no arm, elbow, hand or finger is included). It may seem flimsy but in a static position you can determine if so much as a big toe is closer to the opposing goal line and there is no 2nd last opponent or ball to consider, if it was CLEAR you are correct to raise the flag for offside if involvement occurs. Know in a dynamic position with players at the dead run going past each other in opposite directions you will never get that clarity. The ole adage, " When in doubt do not wave it about!", still applies. In your scenario though there is no doubt!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The closest part of the body that can legally play the ball (not hands) is used. If that body part is completly over the line, then that player is on attacking half of the field.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

You can be in both halves simultaneously. It matters not if you are in your own half, what matters is if you're within the opponents half. If you are and you're in an offside position at the moment a ball is touched by a teammate - then you cannot get involved.