Mavericks

Occasionally, when a parent or coach sees a player in an offside position, we hear a public demand that the referees seek the services of an optometrist for an annual eye examination.  And when the referees ignore the request to call the “obvious” offside offense, audiologic examinations are also demanded!  

Offside is probably the most misunderstood law in soccer.  What no one tells you is that it is actually composed of two parts – offside position and the offense of offside.

Offside Position

 A player is in an offside position if all three of the following exist:

1.        They are in their attacking half of the field

2.       They are closer to the opponents’ goal line than the ball (i.e. ahead of the ball)

3.       They are closer to the opponents’ goal line than the second to last defender (the goalkeeper is usually the “last defender” closest to the goal line, but not always!).  Being level or even with the second to last defender is okay. 

It is NOT an offense to be in an offside position.  

Offense of Offside

A player in an offside position at the moment the ball is touched or played by a teammate is penalized for offside if they participate in the ensuing play.  Examples of participation include playing or are about to play the ball, interfering with an opponent, or getting the ball after it has “rebounded” off someone or off the goal posts.                    

Note that a person is judged in an offside position at the moment the ball is first played to them (kicked, headed, etc.) by a teammate, not when they receive the ball.   Hence, a player who is not in an offside position when the ball was first kicked or played by a teammate can run forward and get the ball in an “offside position” and would not be guilty of being offside.   

Conversely, a player in an offside position when the ball is first played by a teammate may never participate in that play.  Therefore, he or she cannot run back to an “on-side position” to play the ball at anytime during that play. A play is over and a new play starts when someone else takes possession and control of the ball.   

For example, an attacker shoots the ball and it rebounds off the goal post to a teammate who was in an offside position when the ball was first kicked toward the goal.  That player would be guilty of being offside since no one else took possession and control of the ball. 

Likewise, if the ball bounces off another player or if the goalie just punches the ball away, no one has taken possession and control yet (the goalie controlled it but did not take possession), and any attacker in an offside position when the ball was first kicked, cannot participate in that play without being called for offside. 

No Offense

The rules state that anyone receiving the ball directly from a goal kick, corner kick, or throw-in shall not be called for being offside regardless of their position on the field.  Hence, savvy players will run ahead for a throw-in knowing they can’t be called for offside. 

Punishment

The opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick from where the offside offense occurred.          

Knowing the difference between the Direct Free Kick (DFK or "major") and Indirect Free Kick (IFK or "minor") fouls is critical for all referees because the type of foul dictates what the restart is.  Obviously, only direct free kicks are awarded only for DFK or "major" fouls, everything else is an indirect free kick (IFK).  The only exception is a penalty kick is awarded if there is a DFK or "major" foul committed by a defender in his or her penalty area.

There are 10 DFK fouls:

1.  Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent

2. Tripping or attempting to trip an opponent

3. Jumping at an opponent

4. Charging (running into) an opponent unfairly (only shoulder to shoulder contact is fair)

5. Striking an opponent

6. Pushing an opponent

7. Making contact with an opponent before touching the ball when tackling (tackling in soccer is an attempt to steal the ball away from someone)

8. Holding an opponent

9. Spitting at an opponent

10. Handling the ball with your arm or hand

While it may be hard to memorize these, here's an easy way to recognize a DFK foul -- with the exception of handling, all the other major fouls are something one player does phyically to an opponent (kicks, trips, jumps, charges, stikes, pushes, gets them before the ball on a tackle, holds or spits at).

So all you need to do is memorize that handling is the only major foul not involving contact with an opponent.  So when you see a handling violation or a foul involving illegal bodily contact with an opponent, it's going to be a DFK foul (or a penalty kick if done by a defender in his or her penalty area).

Everything else is restarted with an IFK -- offside, the goalie picking the ball up after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a teammate, second touches on free kicks and throw-ins, dangerous plays (dangerous plays means the action was dangerous, but no contact was made.  For example a high kick near the face of an opponent is penalized with an IFK because the player didn't actually make contact with the other player's face -- if he would have, it would be called as the major foul of kicking), etc.

Every league (CYSL, Butte United, High School, College, Adult, etc.) has their own modifications to FIFA laws to suit the needs of their league.  These local rules are referred to as "Local Rules of Competition".  These changes account for players age (ball size, field size, match duration, etc.), skill level (being able to slide tackle "safely", etc.), and other considerations.

Referees who accept assignments in any league are expected to know and enforce that league's local rules of competition. 

The attached handout is a summary of CYSL Local Rules of Competition.  I recommend you print a copy (if you don't have the one you received in the referee class) and put it with your referee gear that you bring to the fields.  That way you can reference it quickly if you need to.

When I refereed, I used to make a quick review of it before my first game every Saturday.  Some referees have even been known to carry a folded copy in their pocket to have available during the game!  -- Wes

Chico Youth Soccer League is looking for youth and adults who want to become referees. Referees must be at least 14 years old to apply, attend the USSF Entry Level referee class, pay the $75 USSF license fee and purchase the required uniform and accessories.  

The referee training class consists of 3 3-hour classroom sessions and passing an on-line test.  Attendance at all 3 classroom sessions is required.   The next training class will be held on Tuesday and Thursday, January 15 and 17 from 6-9pm and Saturday, January 19 from 9-Noon.

Referees are paid $10.50 per game and can choose the dates and times they want to work (subject to game availability)

Referees must purchase the uniform and accessories.  We make available a group order for most items for which we get a significant discount (figure $45).  They must also have predominately black shoes and a digital watch with a stopwatch and/or countdown feature. 

For more information, or to reserve a place in the next class, contact Wes Hocking at 680-4052 (cell), or via email at weshocking@gmail.com.

Chico Youth Soccer Leagues is looking for youth and adults who want to become referees. A entry level class will be offered before each season (at the end of January in the spring and at the end of August in the fall). Referees must be at least 14 years old, attend a 12 hour referee class, and purchase the required uniform and accessories.  A referee information form can be downloaded (Word document) by clicking on the blue handout form below. For more information, contact Wes Hocking at 680-4052 (cell) or at 895-8187 (home) or via email at whocking@sbcglobal.net.