Question Number: 16747

Law 11 - Offside 9/17/2007

RE: Rec Adult

Michael Rosenbaum of Ross, CA USA asks...

Where did FIFA's flash video go for offside rule? Or can you suggest some video or flash that I can send to parents to better explain this rule.

Thanks in advance, Mike

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Can't help you there, FIFA do pretty much what they want to do and for some reason or another never seek AskTheRef.com's permission before they do it. There is a thing that you can use for parents right here on the site. Print out the offside paper I put together a number of years ago. It gives steps to follow in sorting out an offside offence. Also in the Advice to Referees, 2007 edition US Soccer included Dan Heldman's diagram for figuring offside out. They were written without us knowing each other and use almost exactly the same words. Either will work. I would print Dan's on one side of a page and mine on the other. That way folks who like reading can read and those that like following wiring diagrams can follow.

Of course there are always the ones that'll fold the paper into an airplane and give it to their kids to play with. Those parents learn best from the "three brick method of instruction":

Brick 1 = offside -- Brick 2 = Not Offside -- Brick 3 = Shut up and sit

Have fun, Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

If you had access to or were willing to purchase the USSF Offside video/DVD, that would be an excellent tool for educating parents. There is also the Myths of the Game video/DVD which has some very good information and is aimed at parents and soccer fans. They are both available on the www.ussoccer.com website (I think). Referee instructors in your area should be willing to allow you to borrow a copy.