Question Number: 16084

Law 11 - Offside 7/22/2007

RE: Competitive Under 14

Nicholas Broderick of Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada asks...

I was the assistant during a U-14 game recently where the following happened: The ball was played by a teammate of the attacking team and at that moment an attacker, call him A1, was in an offside position. The pass is a ball that hangs in the air for a few seconds, and allows A1 to move back past the second to last defender, and comes within 2 yards of this defender before the defender makes a controlled play on the ball, after which A1 plays the ball. I raised my flag for an offside offense, as I considered him to be an unfair distraction to his opponent. My argument was this: If the attacker is close enough to the defender such that a play on the ball by him is necessary to try and prevent him receiving the ball, he is too far involved in active play. Why should he pressured into playing the ball to prevent the ball from reaching a player who has no right to become involved in the play? The coach of the attacker argued, of course, claiming that his attacker became immune from an offside offense when the defender played the ball, but I still argue that his presence was an infuence to the play before that occurred. What are your thoughts? We haven't been given much guidance as to what constitutes a "deceiving or distracting movement or gesture".

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Nicholas,
at every level of play the opinion of the referee as to what constitutes distraction or gestures to deceive are endlessly debated. Offside position is of it self not a reason to flag, that offside player must involve himself in the outcome of play. The fact that as the ball moves so do players and when a ball is received positional changes may have occurred but until a CONTROLLED possession of the ball by an opponent or a NEW touch of the ball by the team mate those offside restrictions remain in effect. Proximity and position can be ENOUGH on their own to be interfering with an opponent! Blocking the line of sight or if opponents must try and avoid you while pursuing the ball is sufficient to be interfering with an opponent. The coach is INCORRECT in his assumtion that simply playing the ball resets offside. In my opinion there must be uncontested control and possession of the ball to reset. If an offside positioned player is hovering close by waiting he may not move to play the ball until the referee is satisfied that the opponent is not going to have to fight for ball possession with this player or possibly risk a collision.
We are constantly told and retold when in doubt do not wave it about, to be sure of involvement! Since we ONLY base a decision on the actions of the offside player not the reactions or decisions of defenders we must be aware of the situation and the probable outcome of offside players who make no effort to NOT be involved but rather skirt the peripheral of trying to affect the situation.
When an offside player is in close proximity to an opponent who is intent on trying to play the through ball as referee I need to see a willingness by the offside player through action in trying to move away or inaction or body language indicating that he will not interfere with developing play in any manner. In fact he could do the hands up, look I am trying to get out of the way here! As long as NO action to cut down opportunities to play the ball occur until AFTER I have decided the opponent has complete control and possession of the ball we could now think of allowing the nearby FORMERLY offside player to rejoin active play.
The key though you must see** involvement** before the control and possession not after!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

A1 was in an offside position when the ball was played by a teammate. You as a referee decided that A1 interferred with an opponent and raised the flag for an offside offence. You state he interferred BEFORE the opponent played the ball. In that case, you are absolutely correct and the coach is wrong.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Your decision was correct. If in your opinion an opponent moved to the ball as a result of the offside positioned attacker, then that is considered involvement. Good job!

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The thing about being in an offside position and then interfering with an opponent is it's a very subjective thing. All the assistant needs is have the opinion there's been interference before the ball falls to control. You felt an offside offence has happened so up went your flag advising the referee to sanction for offside.

At that point you've done your job. Now the referee must determine if your advice is based on something he agrees with or not. Usually he gives offside, though there are times when his opinion will differ from yours, then he will wave you off and thank you for the help.

The International FA Board have written the definitions in the manner they did so the match officials are able to judge based on their experience. One need only to seek the definition of the words used to understand what is meant. To mislead, loose focus or turn away covers what you saw the defender do. Slam bang flag for offside. Well Done! The coach can argue until his teeth fall out, it ain't his opinion that matters, it is the referee's and you get to advice him, not the coach. Life is so good sometimes.

Regards,