Offside

There is no "Offsides" in soccer. That term comes from American Football. In soccer, the call is "Offside" with no final "s."

Signaling for offside (or not) is the most important responsibility of the assistant referees (ARs) or “linesmen” as they formerly were known. If you have ever wondered how the AR could signal in the “wrong” direction for a throw-in when the ball went out of bounds right in front of him, it is likely that he was concentrating on the offside situation. The offside decision is a much more important element of the game than the throw-in because of the game-changing potential that may be associated with the call (or no call) – that is, a goal or no goal.

The offside call is probably the most technical, and often the most controversial, call (or non-call) in a match, because of the associated potential for goal vs. no goal. The decision involves a number of factors including location, timing, and involvement of the players. It is not an offense simply for a player to be in an offside position. Let me repeat that for emphasis. It is not an offense simply for a player to be in an offside position. The player must also be involved in active play by interfering with play, interfering with an opponent or gaining an advantage by being in an offside position. This requirement probably generates more vocal input from spectators than anything else in the game.

There are many instances during a game when players are in an offside position, but they cannot be penalized for it. The classic example is when one player dribbles down the field, shoots and scores. Simply because teammates were in an offside position does not negate the goal, because the teammates were not involved in active play – the first player did not pass to them, etc.

The offside decision is made at the moment the ball is last played by a teammate, NOT when the (potentially) offside player receives or plays the ball. A couple of specific exceptions are worth knowing. A player cannot be penalized for offside if he or she is on his or her own half of the field (this is why each assistant referee or “linesman” never moves past the mid-field line), or if he or she receives the ball directly (the first touch) from a corner kick, from a throw-in, or from a goal kick. It is also not an infraction if the player receiving the pass is trailing his teammate who makes the pass, even if the receiver has already penetrated beyond all the defenders.

The essential decision is relatively straightforward; however, the decision is often based on conditions that exist for only a split-second, such that the AR is the only person with a complete view. Of course, there are technical considerations and some of those may be outside the focus of the AR. That is the reason a referee may occasional signal offside on his own, or may wave down the signal from the AR.

If "everyone" on the sideline thinks there is an infraction by the opposing team, but the AR does not signal with his flag, the chances are that the AR is correct. If the AR does not make the "obvious" call, he may just be a superior official.

So, the next time you are at the pitch, calmly enjoying a Saturday morning match, show your sophistication. Remember to holler “offside” rather than “offsides” – or, even better, recognize that the situation has been adjudged by the referee to be not a violation at all, and holler nothing. J