Question Number: 2007

Law 11 - Offside

RE: Premier - Boys/Girls Under 14

Albert C. Patrash of Livonia, MI USA asks...

Regarding question 1989: Would it make any difference if the player who is off-sides was closer to the player with the ball? Say 2yds away? Based on your origional answer I don't think so unless the off-sides person does what you said (runs between the keeper and the ball as the attacker shoots, physically interferres with the keeper, etc.)..I showed my colleagues your origional answer and they thought the off-sides player was out of the play at a distance of 10yds., but that if she were only 2 or 3 yds. away, she would be interferring with play. ..I still say no interferrence as described in my origional question. ..Your response is appreciated..Al

Answer provided by Referee Victor Matheson

I can't give you an exact answer here but 10 yards is certainly out of the 'zone of interference' and 0 yards from the ball is certainly within the 'zone of interference'. I guess a good rule of thumb is if the offside player could reach out and play the ball without moving, that is definitely interfering with play.

Answer provided by Referee MrRef

30 April 2007

Interfering with play means playing or touching the ball passed or touched by a team-mate.

Interfering with an opponent means preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent?s line of vision or movements or making a gesture or movement which, in the opinion of the referee, deceives or distracts an opponent.

Gaining an advantage by being in that position means playing a ball that rebounds to him off a post or the crossbar having been in an offside position or playing a ball that rebounds to him off an opponent having been in an offside position.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 15001