Question Number: 16959

Law 11 - Offside 9/28/2007

RE: Competitive High School

Dave of Portland, OR USA asks...

I know that "A player is not in an offside position if she is in here own half of the field of play..." but can you define "own half" for me? Is the centerline part of her own half? Is position still judged by the head, body and feet? So is she onside if she has her toes on the line, but in an offside position once her toes or head cross over the line?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

FIFA clarified this for us last year. If any body part which can legally play the ball is across the line, the player is in the opponent's half. It need only be a part of the foot, the player's head if she is leaning, or could be his butt if he's facing his own goal. But not an outstretched arm.

The same considerations are used when determining if an attacker is ahead of the 2nd to last opponent.

I'm not sure if NFHS has the same interpretation.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

NFHS repeats FIFA's discussion regarding what constitutes being in an offside position. Any part of the body that can score a goal beyond the halfway line constitutes offside position should the other criteria be met.

Regards,