Question Number: 17491

Law 11 - Offside 10/24/2007

RE: Adult

Coach Mike of Chino Hills, CA USA asks...

In a U10 girls game, the attacking player in an offside position started to put herself back onside. She stepped back towards her side, but her front foot and head were still nearer her opponent's goal than 2nd last defender. The ball was then passed to her from a teammate, which she played. At first, I thought, she's offside, but not by much. Then I thought, she's only 9 and this may be trifling because she's fairly level otherwise. I called offside because that was my first view, and it was too hard (and fuzzy) to factor in age. The center ref agreed with my flag, and called her offside. But coach on the other side was upset. My question is: Is it trifling to make such a close offside call? Should age be a factor when making the call? My feeling is: I have to make a quick judgment, and just like a touchline, I need a point of reference. It's too hard to factor in other conditions. As for the coach: No matter what call I made, I knew it was close enough that I would hear complaints from either coach.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Either the player is in an offside position or she is not. Either the player participates after being in an offside position or she doesn't. It's a black and white issue.

The big question is whether or not the coach is acting responsibly. His opinions count just as much as so many pigeon droppings. The opinion of a coach is just as welcome as Santa Ana winds and another fire to stomp out, treat them the same and life will be much quieter and ever so much better for all concerned.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Offside position is a picture freeze frame moment in time that can only occur inside the opposition half of the field. The player is at point A, the ball is touched by a team mate at point B, 2nd last opponent is at point C. If A is CLOSER to the opposing goal line than B or C at that moment she is restricted from involvement.

It is IMPORTANT to understand that no player can put themselves back onside if they were evaluated as restricted in an offside position. Something else or someone else must do it for them.
The opposition regains controlled uncontested possession of the ball.
The play is stopped for a restart of any type.
Or when a team mate next touches the ball our offside transient is no longer closer to the opposing goal line than the ball or has at least two opponents between her and the opposing goal line.

Offside is a black or white issue you is or you aint. IF the playable body parts are discerabley closer then you judge the offside position as a YES. If the speed of play or poor position leaves you with no real idea then do not flag. Static positions allow you to see small discrepancies where as opposing players racing in opposite directions make it a great deal harder.



6 inches or 6 feet or 6 yards if you CLEARLY see it then it is an easy decision. If there is offside position established you need to remember if that position later turns into involvement.

Listening to a coach is not a condition that affects your call! If it does that coach requires his pidgeon droppings to be distributed in his car.
What do you see and are you in the RIGHT position to see it!
The ability to stay level with a second last defender and get a clear view directly across requires FOCUS, fitness and patience. You can be great for 85 minutes them a second of inattention and you are vilified as crap when only moments ago you had ten attaboys in your favor.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

It was a fact that the player was in an offside position and that she had subsequently violated law 11. We do not consider a breach of law 11 a trifiling offense. It is or is not a breach of the law - enforce it that way.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The only thing I can think of to add here is to ask you about your position. If you are truly square to the field, so that the offside player is visible in a perpendicular from you and you can see the touchline in front of you, then it is a black and white issue as to whether she is in offside position or not. However, if your position is off at all(we're talking several feet), it is possible to make an error based on the angle of view when the OSP is so close to a defender. For instance, if you are actually ahead of the second to last defender, you might miss an attacker in an offside position close to you, because they appear to be even. On the other hand, if you are behind the second to last defender, the opposite could happen. A player will look OSP when they are even. So, make sure to check your own position every so often to ensure you remain square to the field and can make those black and white determinations with confidence and accuracy.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The only thing about Law 11 that is similar to the Law 12 trifling concept is when offside is too close to call. In that case, we give the benefit of doubt to the attacker. You saw body parts still in an offside position; she then participated in play. Good offside call.