Is it just me? (Offside deflections)

[Ref Flunkie]

Or do we need to send out an email worldwide explaining that deflections off of defenders do not cancel offside calls? I ran into this problem AGAIN today and was politely asked after the game to explain it. The parents were under the impression deflections cancel offside calls. They said players (not sure if they meant adult or kids) told them that if they are able to bounce it off of defenders backs, etc., that it cancelled offside. I explained the rule to them, but I'm sure they thought I was nuts :).

I've also run into this at adult matches (granted they are O-50, but still), with players scraming "He deflected it, no offside!!". Was this ever the case way back when? I have no problem explaining it, but I'm just really confused where these players/coaches/parents get the idea from that deflections off defenders somehow change things.

[Statesman]

If long-time referees cannot get the call right after years of training, you can't expect a spectator with no training to get it right either. Fix referee development in USSF and the spectators will come around.

[Ref Flunkie]

If long-time referees cannot get the call right after years of training, you can't expect a spectator with no training to get it right either. Fix referee development in USSF and the spectators will come around.

To be honest, I've never seen this called "wrong" (the deflection part, not offside in general). Guess I just haven't been watching enough matches.

[GKbenji]

I think this is a case of players knowing a part of the rule, and then assuming some reverse or converse of it is true when it really isn't.

"Last touched by teammate = offside."
Faulty logic says therefore "Last touched by opponent = not offside," which is not true.

We see the same thing on tackles:
"Contact player before the ball = foul."
Faulty logic says therefore "contact ball before player = no foul", which isn't always true.

[whistleblowerusa]

Was this ever the case way back when?
Yes. Maybe 15-20 years ago.

[refmike]

Yes. Maybe 15-20 years ago.
15-20 years ago we called offside on anyone in an offside position at the time the ball was kicked. The notion of waiting for participation is releatively new.

[GKbenji]

15-20 years ago we called offside on anyone in an offside position at the time the ball was kicked. The notion of waiting for participation is releatively new.

That may have been how you called it, but that's not how it was supposed to be called. In fact, calls like that are how we've gotten into this muddle in the first place.

The notion of waiting for participation is not new at all; it is stated in FA documents from the beginning of last century.

[seanT]

That may have been how you called it, but that's not how it was supposed to be called. In fact, calls like that are how we've gotten into this muddle in the first place.

The notion of waiting for participation is not new at all; it is stated in FA documents from the beginning of last century.


that may be true, but I first got certified in about 1982, and recall it being taught that way.

I have taken what is now known as the Grade 8 course 3 times since then.
Sort of return to reffing every so often. How the same rules are taught definitly changes over time and region of the country.