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Understanding Soccer Offsides Rule 11

11/29/2013

4 Comments

 
Of the 17 Rules of Soccer   , the offside rule is the most difficult to understand, both for new and experienced fans, coaches and players.

Rule 11 The Offside page receives the most monthly hits on Understanding soccer, averaging 2-3 times the next page.  The ratio increase to 4-6 times greater on Saturdays during US soccer season.  One possible explanation is that parents watching youth soccer games would like to better understand the rule.

Although Understanding Soccer continues to review its Offside page, it is hoped that blog discussions will add to a greater understanding of Rule 11. 

The basic rule is simple: An attacking player is offside if there are less than two defenders between him/her and the goal at the time the ball is played in.  They must be involved in the play.

Involvement in Play: This seems to cause considerable misunderstanding.

If a player is in an offside position, but not involved in the play, it is not an offside.  Often fans, particularly parents at youth soccer games, scream offside when there was a player that beat the ball in.  It is confusing to them when no call is made because the referee did not consider the player in the attack.

There are many other nuances to the offside rule, so fire away with your questions and comments.













4 Comments
Joel
12/23/2013 08:19:54 am

Are there face offs as in hockey or jump ball as in basketball?

Reply
Alan Rubin link
12/24/2013 05:52:50 am

Joel--

An overview of the “ball drop” is in Rule 8: The Start and Stop of Play. A more detailed explanation of the rule is on the NISOA, National Intercollegiate Collegiate Officials Association. Web site
.
http://nisoa.com/about-us/instructional-articles/interscholastic-instruction/soccer-by-the-rules-drop-ball/

It is similar to a basketball “jump ball” and hockey’s drooped puck in that it is utilized when a soccer referee is not sure who was at fault. Some examples are:

• When the ball is caused to go out-of-bounds by two opponents simultaneously.

• When the ball becomes deflated. (please note that starting in the fall of 2012 that when a ball becomes deflated during the taking of a penalty kick, the kick is to be retaken).

• Following a temporary suspension of play for an injury or unusual situation in which no team has clear possession of the ball (once again, starting in the fall of 2012, if an unusual situation occurs during the taking of a penalty kick, the kick is to be retaken).

• When simultaneous fouls of the same degree occur by opponents.

I hope that this was helpful.

Alan

Reply
jim
5/14/2016 02:17:15 pm

Can an offsides player screen a goalie or get in the lane of a shot

Reply
Maria Chase link
4/20/2021 08:06:23 pm

Hi thaanks for posting this

Reply



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    Alan Rubin

    Goalie coach for Youth Soccer in Western, MA

    ​Goalkeeper coach Taconic HS girl's soccer team

    Certified NSCAA Level 1, 2 & 3 Goalkeeper  Coach

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