1. Offside (11) U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program
Online Training Script:
Welcome to U.S. Soccer’s online training for the Grade 8 Referee Course.
Training for this course is specific to preparing officials for the competitive youth game.
This presentation focuses on Law 11 – Offside.
U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program
Grade 8 Referee Course
Competitive Youth Training

2. OK, first of all …
What’s
Offsides?

3. Offside Infraction
Position
Timing
Active Involvement

4. What part of the body?
Yes
Yes No
Yes

5. Offside Infraction Position Timing Active Involvement
2nd last Opponent

7. Offside Infraction Position Timing Active Involvement
2nd last Opponent
Ball

8. Offside Position?
Offside Position?

9. Offside Infraction Position Timing Active Involvement
2nd last Opponent
Ball
Not own half

11. What about a deflection?
Offside Infraction
Position
Timing
Active Involvement
2nd last Opponent
Last
What about a deflection?
Ball
Touched
Not own half
Teammate

12. Offside Infraction TOUCHES THE BALL
Position
Timing
Active Involvement
2nd last Opponent
Last
Interfere with Play
Ball
Touched
TOUCHES THE BALL
Not own half
Teammate

13. Except for the exceptions
TOUCHES THE BALL
Except for the exceptions
Inevitable
1 on 1 w/ keeper

14. Interfere with Opponent
Offside Infraction
Position
Timing
Active Involvement
2nd last Opponent
Last
Interfere with Play
Ball
Touched
Interfere with Opponent
Not own half
Teammate

15. Interferes with Opponent
Prevent opponent from getting to the ball
Blocks goalkeeper’s view

16. Interfere with Opponent
Offside Infraction
Position
Timing
Active Involvement
2nd last Opponent
Last
Interfere with Play
REBOUND
Ball
Touched
Interfere with Opponent
Not own half
Teammate
Gain Advantage

17. Interfere with Opponent
So fill in the blanks
Position
Timing
Active Involvement
2nd last Opponent
Last
Interfere with Play
Ball
Touched
Interfere with Opponent
Not own half
Teammate
Gain Advantage

18. No Offside Position Even with the ball or
Even with the second to last defender or
Even with the last two defenders if they are even with each other or
On the halfway line or in own half of field or
Online Training Script:
A player cannot be in an offside position when he or she is even with the ball, even with the second to last defender or even with the last two defenders if the are even with each other.
A player can also not be in an offside position if on the halfway line, in his or her own half of field, or when the ball is played to him or her by the opposing team.
A player cannot be in an offside position if any of these requirements are met.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

19. The truth about deflections
Deflection does NOT negate an offside offense
If an opponent “PLAYS” the ball to a player in the offside position, no offense.
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:
Discuss and clarify the difference between a “deflection” and “playing” the ball.
Deflection examples: Opponent sticks out foot to stop ball and it touches foot then continues to offside player; ball strikes opponent and continues to offside player
Playing the ball examples: Opponent kicks ball to teammate and player in offside position runs to intercept; opponent attempts to clear ball over goal/touch line and offside player gets possession.

20. Remember the Exceptions
No offside offense if a player receives the ball directly from
Goal kick
Throw-in
Corner kick
Online Training Script:
There is no offside offense if a player receives the ball directly from a goal kick, a throw-in, or a corner kick.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

21. Infringements What’s the restart? Indirect Free Kick
Where’s the restart?
Where offending player was when ball last touched by a teammate
Online Training Script:
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.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

22. Interfere with Opponent
Let’s do this once more
Fill in the blanks
Position
Timing
Active Involvement
2nd last Opponent
Last
Interfere with Play
Ball
Touched
Interfere with Opponent
Not own half
Teammate
Gain Advantage

23. Examples Online Training Script:
Please review the following examples demonstrating the various elements of Law 11.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

24. Offense Online Training Script:
Attacker (A) in an offside position, not interfering with an opponent, touches the ball.
The assistant referee must raise the flag when the player touches the ball.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

25. No Offense Online Training Script:
Attacker (A) in an offside position, not interfering with an opponent, does not touch the ball.
The player cannot be penalized because he or she did not touch the ball.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

26. No Offense Online Training Script:
Attacker (A) in an offside position runs towards the ball and teammate (B) in an onside position also runs towards the ball and plays it.
Attacker (A) cannot be penalized because he or she did not touch the ball.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

27. Offense Online Training Script:
Attacker (A) in an offside position may be penalized before playing or touching the ball, if, in the opinion of the referee, no other teammate in an onside position has the opportunity to play the ball.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

28. No Offense Online Training Script:
An attacker in an offside position runs towards the ball and does not touch the ball.
The assistant referee must signal for a goal kick.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

29. Offense Online Training Script:
Attacker (A) in an offside position is obstructing the goalkeeper’s line of vision.
Attacker (A) must be penalized because he or she prevents an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

30. No Offense Online Training Script:
Attacker (A) in an offside position is not obstructing the goalkeeper’s line of vision or challenging an opponent for the ball.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

31. No Offense Online Training Script:
Attacker (A) in an offside position runs towards the ball but he or she does not prevent the opponent from playing or being able to play the ball.
Attacker (A) is not challenging opponent (B) for the ball.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

32. Offense Online Training Script:
Attacker (A) in an offside position runs towards the ball preventing opponent (B) from playing or being able to play the ball by challenging the opponent for the ball.
Attacker (A) is challenging opponent (B) for the ball.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

33. Offense Online Training Script:
Attacker (B) in an offside position is penalized for playing or touching the ball that rebounds, is deflected or is played to him or her from a deliberate save by the goalkeeper having been in an offside position when the ball was last touched or is played by a teammate.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

34. Offense Online Training Script:
Attacker (B) in an offside position is penalized for playing or touching the ball that rebounds, is deflected or is played to him or her from a deliberate save by defender (C) having been in an offside position when the ball was last touched or is played by a teammate.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

35. No Offense Online Training Script:
The shot by attacker (A) rebounds from the goalkeeper.
Attacker (B) is in an onside position and plays the ball.
Attacker (C) in an offside position is not penalized because he or she did not gain an advantage from being in that position because he or she did not touch the ball.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

36. Offense Online Training Script:
The shot by attacker (A) rebounds off or is deflected by an opponent to attacker (B) who is penalized for playing or touching the ball having previously been in an offside position.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

37. No Offense Online Training Script:
Attacker (C) is in an offside position, not interfering with an opponent, when teammate (A) passes the ball to player (B) in an onside position who runs towards the opponents’ goal and passes the ball to teammate (C).
Attacker (C) cannot be penalized because when the ball was passed to him or her, he or she was in an onside position.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

38. Review Question
A player cannot be in an offside position if he or she is ______.
In his or her own half of the field or even with the second to last opponent
Even with the assistant referee
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

39. Review Question
A player in a offside position is only penalized for an offside offense if ______.
He or she is involved in active play
He or she received the ball directly from a throw-in, goal kick or corner kick
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

40. Review Question
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?
Yes No
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

41. Review Question
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?
Yes No
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

42. Review Question
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?
Yes No
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

43. Review Question
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?
Yes No
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

44. Review Question
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?
Yes No
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points: