Law 11
Alabama
Interpretations of the
Laws of the Game as
provided in the IFAB
for 2016-2017;
subject to change!
U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program
Grade 8 Referee Course
Competitive Youth Training
Offside Position
o Closer to the opposing team’s goal line than
o The ball
o The second to last defender
o In the opponent’s half of the field
o Determine when a teammate touches or plays
the ball
No Offside Position
o Even with the ball or
o Even with the second to last defender or
o Even with the last two defenders if they are
even with each other or
o On the halfway line or in own half of field
(halfway line is neutral) or
o Ball being played by the opposing team
Offside Offense
o In an offside position and involved in active
play
o Active play
o Interfere with play
o Interfere with an opponent
o Gaining an advantage
Active Involvement
o Makes contact with the ball
o Blocks path of an opponent
o Blocks vision or line of sight of opponent
o Distracts or deceives an opponent
o Receives a ball that rebounds from the goal
o Deflects off a defender who didn’t control or
play the ball
No Offense
o No offside offense if a player receives the ball
directly from
o Goal kick
o Throw-in
o Corner kick
Determining Offside
o Was the attacker in an offside position?
o While in an offside position, did the attacker
participate in active play?
o Did the attacker receive the ball directly from
a throw-in, goal kick or corner kick?
Players Off the Field
o Defender over the goal line and off field
considered to be on the goal line for offside
consideration
o Attacker stepping off to not be involved in
active play also considered to be on the goal
line
Infringements
o Offside Offense
o Indirect free kick
o Opposing team
o Where occurred*
* 2017 – infringement occurs
where offside players touches
ball or interferes – even if in
attacker’s own half of field
Offside Duties
o Assistant referees
o Indicate when a player may be penalized
for being in an offside position
o Even with the second-to-last defender
o Total concentration is required
o Referee
o Makes final decision to stop game and
penalize the offside offense
Examples
Offense
No Offense
No Offense
Offense
No Offense
Offense
No Offense
No Offense
Offense
Offense
Offense
No Offense
Offense
No Offense
Review Question
o A player cannot be in an offside position if he
or she is ______.
o In his or her own half of the field or even with
the second to last opponent
o Even with the assist referee
Review Question
o A player in a offside position is only penalized
for an offside offense if ______.
o He or she is involved in active play
o He or she received the ball directly from a
throw-in, goal kick or corner kick
Review Question
o An attacking player, in an offside position,
receives the ball directly from a teammate’s
corner kick. Is the player guilty of an offside
offense?
o Yes
o No
Review Question
o An attacking player, in an offside position,
receives the ball directly from a teammate’s
throw-in. Is the player guilty of an offside
offense?
o Yes
o No
Review Question
o An attacking player, in an offside position,
receives the ball directly from a teammate’s
indirect free kick. Is the player guilty of an
offside offense?
o Yes
o No
Review Question
o An attacking player, in an offside position,
receives the ball directly from a teammate’s
goal kick. Is the player guilty of an offside
offense?
o Yes
o No
Review Question
o An attacking player, in an offside position,
receives the ball from a teammate’s pass after
it bounces off the outstretched leg of a
defender. Is the player guilty of an offside
offense?
o Yes
o No