Law Changes 16/17 - Law 11 - Offside

[Guest]

 11.1 Status of halfway line

Old Text
A player is not in an offside position if:
• he is in his own half of the field of play or (…).

New Text
A player is in an offside position if:
• any part of the head, body or feet is in the opponents’ half (excluding the halfway line)

Explanation
Clarifies that the halfway line is ‘neutral’ for offside i.e. a player must have part of the body in the opponents’ half to be in an offside position.

 

11.2 Status of players’ arms

Additional Text
A player is in an offside position if:
• any part of the head, body or feet is nearer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent. The hands and arms of all players, including the goalkeepers, are not included.

Explanation
Clarifies that the hands and arms of the defenders, attackers and goalkeepers are not included when judging offside.

 

11.3 Position not offence judged at the moment the ball is played

Old Text
A player in an offside position is only penalised if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by…

New Text
A player in an offside position at the moment the ball is played or touched by a team-mate is only penalised on becoming involved in active play by…

Explanation
Clarifies that it is the player’s (offside) position which is judged when the ball is played. The offence occurs after the ball is played e.g. an offside player who scores after a save by the goalkeeper commits the offence after the ball was played.

 

11.4 Offence following a rebound or save

Old Text
gaining an advantage by being in that position by playing a ball:
• that rebounds or is deflected to him off the goalpost, crossbar or an opponent
• (…) from a deliberate save by any opponent

New Text
gaining an advantage by being in that position by playing the ball or interfering with an opponent when it has:
• rebounded or been deflected off the goalpost, crossbar or an opponent
• been deliberately saved by any opponent

Explanation
Clarifies that ‘interfering with an opponent’ after a rebound, deflection or save is an offside offence

 

11.5 Position of free kick

Old Text
p. 36 In the event of an offside offence, the referee awards an indirect free kick to the opposing team to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred;
p. 111 When an offside offence occurs, the referee awards an indirect free kick to be taken from the position of the offending player when the ball was last played to him by one of his team-mates

New Text
If an offside offence occurs, the referee awards an indirect free kick where the offence occurred, including if it is in the player’s own half of the field of play.

Explanation
The Law and the interpretation were contradictory. Throughout the Laws, the general principle is that a FK is awarded where an offence occurs so this now applies to offside. A FK can be awarded in a player’s own half if the player moves from an offside position in the opponents’ half to commit an offside offence in the player’s own half.

My interpretation: So, if a player is in an offside position in his opponents half at the moment the ball is played; then he comes onside and into his own half where he is classed as being involved in active play (to get the ball), the player is deemed as offside. He interfered with the play in his own half (attempts to retrieve the ball), so that is the offence. The free kick is to be awarded from where the offence occurred, hence it being in his own half. 

 

11.6 Defending player off the field

Old Text
Any defending player leaving the field of play for any reason without the referee’s permission shall be considered to be on his own goal line or touch line for the purposes of offside until the next stoppage in play. If the player left the field of play deliberately, he must be cautioned when the ball is next out of play

New Text
A defending player who leaves the field of play without the referee’s permission shall be considered to be on the goal line or touchline for the purposes of offside until the next stoppage in play or until the defending team has played the ball towards the halfway line and it is outside their penalty area. If the player left the field of play deliberately, the player must be cautioned when the ball is next out of play.

Explanation
It is unfair that an injured defending player off the field ‘plays everyone onside’ until play stops. The new wording defines the end of the phase of play when the defender is no longer considered to be on the field for the purposes of offside.

 

11.7 Attacking player off the field

Old Text
It is not an offence in itself for a player who is in an offside position to step off the field of play to show the referee that he is not involved in active play. However, if the referee considers that he has left the field of play for tactical reasons and has gained an unfair advantage by re-entering the field of play, the player must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour. The player needs to ask for the referee’s permission to re-enter the field of play.

New Text
An attacking player may step or stay off the field of play not to be involved in active play. If the player re-enters from the goal line and becomes involved in play before the next stoppage in play or the defending team has played the ball towards the halfway line and it is outside their penalty area, the player shall be considered to be positioned on the goal line point for the purposes of offside. A player who deliberately leaves the field of play and re-enters without the referee’s permission and is not penalised for offside and gains an advantage, must be cautioned.

Explanation
Clarifies how to deal with an attacking player who leaves or stays off the field of play and then returns.

 

11.8 Attacking player in the goal

Old Text
If an attacking player remains stationary between the goalposts and inside the goal net as the ball enters the goal, a goal must be awarded. However, if(…) (…)the attacking player distracts an opponent, the goal must be disallowed, the player cautioned for unsporting behaviour and play restarted with a dropped ball(…).

New Text
If an attacking player remains stationary between the goalposts and inside the goal as the ball enters the goal, a goal must be awarded unless the player commits an offside offence or Law 12 offence in which case play is restarted with an indirect or direct free kick.

Explanation
Consistent with updated offside wording (i.e. removal of ‘distracts’) and the ability to penalise an offence off the field with a free kick when the ball is in play
 

[bighairydave]

Agree with your interpretation. Will also mean assistants will no longer be able to always mark the spot of the infringement.

[Guest]

It could lead to some interesting decisions being made... I think you will predominantly see in the games below SWPL, the offence being penalised from when the attacker begins his run (from the opponents half) as opposed to where he actually becomes involved in active play. I am guessing not many club officials would be able to grasp the concept as it could be quite confusing.

[Bruegel the Elder]

5 hours ago, Dange'rous said:

It could lead to some interesting decisions being made... I think you will predominantly see in the games below SWPL, the offence being penalised from when the attacker begins his run (from the opponents half) as opposed to where he actually becomes involved in active play. I am guessing not many club officials would be able to grasp the concept as it could be quite confusing.

You're good at this guessing lark Dange'rous, and I don't think it's just Club Officials we're talking about here!