Date:         Thu, 6 Dec 2001 09:03:24 -0800
Reply-To:     Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees <[log in to unmask]>
Sender:       Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees <[log in to unmask]>
From:         Jim Geissman <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Re: Gaining an advantage and thus offside - Second Example
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> Both attackers start running for the ball. I put the whistle in my
> mouth and wait to see who gets the ball. A1 appears to have the edge,
> and I imagine she is going to get it, so I hold my whistle. The
> Keeper rushes out and beats both attackers, and she then punts the
> ball.
>
> Wow - did I ever get an earful after the game. I used the principal
> espoused here, that if the A2 player had been plucked off the field,
> would the play have changed at all - the answer was clearly no - so I
> feel I made the right decision. [Had A2 beaten A1 to the ball, I
> would have for sure called offside.]

A player in offside position violates Law 11 if she
becomes active participant in play.  The fact that
other players may also be participating does not
change that.  It's an individual offense that the
offside player commits all by herself, not a team
offense that results from her interaction with
teammates.