Question Number: 16775

Law 11 - Offside 9/18/2007

RE: rec Adult

alex of richmond hill, on canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 16713

When the AR needs to delay the flag because there are both offside and onside attackers chasing the ball, should the AR move with the ball or stay at the initial offside position?

If the AR choose to move with the ball, then should he raise the flag once offside infringement occurs and then runs back to the original offside position to indicate where the restart should take place.

If the AR opts to stay at the original offside position, then he might find himself too far away from the ball or the 2nd last defender when the offside infringement does not materialise.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Alex,
my choice is to go with the ball and if there is an offside realized side step your way back to the correct spot to indicate restart position!
I find the offside occurs relatively quickly when the chase is being monitored and you are not too far away although it could stretch into 20 yards or so on rare occasions. Best prepare for a no call and stay with play than get caught out!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Stay with the last but one player. Here you can see if there are other offside infractions should there be no offence on the precious touch by the attack.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Got to stay with the second to last defender. If the offside position becomes offside, then flag it, and move back to where it occurred. Be sure to ask your referee about such situations in the pregame, just in case she has a special signal or so you can discuss the procedures.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Stay with the next to last opponent or the ball whichever is closer to the goal so you can observe a subsequent offside should this initial possibility not happen. If the player that was in offside position when the ball was played does become involved in play, raise your flag to signal offside, after the referee acknowledgels you, go to where the offside player was at the moment the ball was played to indicate where the restart takes place.

Answer provided by Referee MrRef

Interesting this same question appeared on the Corsham Ref discussion page 18th Sept. If this is a test how did we do?