Question about offside

[Fah Que]

If a team has 2 on 1 against a lone goalkeeper, are you allowed to pass the ball? In today's game, is Taylor Twellman offiside? I think the rule says your player need to be at least level with last defender include the goalkeeper or two defenders. If that's the case, you have no choice but to shoot the ball.

[Craig P]

At least level with the last defender or not ahead of the ball.

[Caesar]

At least level with the last defender or not ahead of the ball.
Craig is correct - it has to be one or the other. I am guessing from your scenario that the player who had the ball passed to him was closer to the goal than the ball when his teammate kicked it.

So yes, you can pass the ball in this situation - just when it's kicked the player receiving the pass must be behind the ball.

[voros]

Craig is correct - it has to be one or the other. I am guessing from your scenario that the player who had the ball passed to him was closer to the goal than the ball when his teammate kicked it.

So yes, you can pass the ball in this situation - just when it's kicked the player receiving the pass must be behind the ball.
And Twellman was level with the ball on the play so I think it was correctly ruled onside. You even saw him purposefully hold up his run slightly to remain onside as long as possible.

[saabrian]

If a team has 2 on 1 against a lone goalkeeper, are you allowed to pass the ball? In today's game, is Taylor Twellman offiside? I think the rule says your player need to be at least level with last defender include the goalkeeper or two defenders. If that's the case, you have no choice but to shoot the ball.

Yes, but the pass can't be forward. I saw the play too and the linesman missed the call. It was VERY tight and you had to look closely on the replay to see it. The linesman didn't have that benefit and was probably screened by the defender that JM Moore had just went by.

[ignatz]

Yes, but the pass can't be forward. I saw the play too and the linesman missed the call. It was VERY tight and you had to look closely on the replay to see it. The linesman didn't have that benefit and was probably screened by the defender that JM Moore had just went by.

My understanding is that the pass can be forward, but the receiving player must be level with or behind the ball when it is passed. I thought Twellman was ahead of the ball when it was passed, but it was very close.

[Craig P]

Yes, but the pass can't be forward.:confused:

IANAR, but I'm not aware that this is a requirement. It certainly should be possible to pass it forward and still have the other attacker remain level with or behind the ball at all times, considering that we would expect him to be running forward.

[IASocFan]

Yes, but the pass can't be forward. ...

Direction of the pass is irrelevant. If a player isn't level with or behind the second defender or the ball when a pass is made by a teammate, then he is offside. I didn't see the play in question, but I think the question was whether Twellman was level with the BALL when JMM passed it forward to him; and I believe the AR ruled that he was onside when the pass was made. At least that's the way voros understood the issue.



*** After viewing the clip, I editted my post from 2nd to the last defender to BALL, since the ball was past the second defender.***

[saabrian]

Direction of the pass is irrelevant. If a player isn't level with or behind the second defender or the ball when a pass is made by a teammate, then he is offside. I didn't see the play in question, but I think the question was whether Twellman was level with the second defender when JMM passed it forward to him; and I believe the AR ruled that he was onside when the pass was made. At least that's the way voros understood the issue.

You're right. I stand corrected.

[IASocFan]

The following is a quote from the MLS Referee Conference Call notes - 4/20/2004 :

"Offside Video Clips
Video clips of three offside decisions in this past weekend’s game have been distributed (CLB@KC, DC@MET, SJ@NE). All three were very close decisions that led to a goal. All three exemplify excellent work by the AR’s. The level of dissent shown toward the AR against this decision in the SJ@NE game crossed the line and a caution would have been warranted. Do not take a back seat on dissent."

My bolding. Defenders also need to remember that when in doubt, the referees are to error on the side of the attacking team. :o

[chrisrun]

Twellman's goal is shown frame by frame on MLSnet (http://www.mlsnet.com/multimedia/0421_twellman/multimedia_display.php?image=1). It's close, but he looks onside to me. The AR was slightly out of position to make the call because of the speed of the play, but did well to keep the flag down.

[PVancouver]

There is NO WAY Arnaud was onside according to the standard set by the USSF. The best that can be said is that there may have been some overlap in the torso's. But 90% of Arnaud's torso was closer to the goal than any Crew defender's, and he should have been whistled for offside, according to the standard set by the USSF.

[billf]

There is NO WAY Arnaud was onside according to the standard set by the USSF. The best that can be said is that there may have been some overlap in the torso's. But 90% of Arnaud's torso was closer to the goal than any Crew defender's, and he should have been whistled for offside, according to the standard set by the USSF.

Can we again direct you to the line emphasised during every MLS conference call? When in doubt, KEEP THE FLAG DOWN!!!!!!!

[saabrian]

My bolding. Defenders also need to remember that when in doubt, the referees are to error on the side of the attacking team. :o

Mind if I cc: this to Leicester City's manager Micky Adams? It's nearly too late for this year but might help us next year when we're down in Div. 1.

[IASocFan]

Mind if I cc: this to Leicester City's manager Micky Adams? It's nearly too late for this year but might help us next year when we're down in Div. 1.

No problem. My advice is available to any who might take advantage. ;)