Wait to Flag Offside - Video Example

[chrisrun]

USSF has given us another example of why to wait before putting the flag up for offside:

http://www.ussoccer-data.com/docfile/OffsideMemo8-23-06.htm

[Gary V]

USSF has given us another example of why to wait before putting the flag up for offside:

http://www.ussoccer-data.com/docfile/OffsideMemo8-23-06.htm
Can someone say, "Well, duhh!" If you've been paying the least bit of attention to offside interpretations over the last several years, this non-call is a no-brainer.

Although I would note that a recent pronouncement says to call this offside if it was from a free kick, not a run of play.

And why can't USSF figure out how to link to videos without requiring you to download them and open them offline?

[AlsoRan]

Maybe it is a no-brainer, but I know every nerve in my flag hand would be itching to pop when the ball is played right to Romario's feet. Rather than "well, duhh!", I say "good job!". There would have been no problem selling the call had the AR popped a flag, but I admire the split second decision to wait. The AR's mechanics were beautiful. But where is the center? He is not visible at all in the entire clip.

[HoldenMan]

It's a no brainer, but a lot of AR's would still flag it. I agree with AlsoRan about an itchy hand - although even before FIFA tinkered I still wouldn't have called that.

This would be one of those times where you'd be not overly surprised to see a yo-yo flag ;-)

[Ref Flunkie]

Sadly, I may have popped the flag. Give that man a medal!

[Laggard]

Any EPL AR would have called it.

[nonya]

I would have held the flag and waited....and then flagged it. If you slow down the video, the player who never got the ball until then end (and scores) runs after the kick, and forward towards the goal ahead of the player who kicked it. He actually takes two steps forward (after it is kicked) before the other guy catches up to the ball. To me, that is being in play. If he had held his position and waited and allowed the kicker to pass him, or turn his back or fall to the ground or do anything other than run towards the goal (and the ball which is traveling in the sam direction), then its ok. I know what the new interpretation of the law is and all, but to me that is just way to close to the play, and he is taking a huge advantage by being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

[NHRef]

What advantage did he get, BEFORE HIS TEAMMATE RAN ONTO THE BALL?? Once the teammate, who was onside, touches the ball again, everything resets.

This is a GREAT call that I would love to say I would get right, however there'd be an itchy flag hand trying to come up

[Wreave]

I would have held the flag and waited....and then flagged it.

Would you still do so? The USSF memo is pretty clear. USSF does not consider an offside infraction to have occured.

I have flagged plays like this in the past, due to that itchy flag hand. It's hard to wait, especially when it seems so obvious.

The direction we're getting is to wait, and to be sure of involvement in that particular phase of play. Once the onside attacker touches the ball again, the phase of play in which the offside-positioned attacker could have been penalized is over. Either the offside-positioned attacker gained an advantage prior to the next onside touch, or he didn't. In this case, he didn't. Play was properly allowed to continue, and he was onside at the time he received the ball (from a backwards pass).

Two thumbs up and a fine (no) call.

[NHRef]

I hate to toss a monkey wrench into this, but watch the clip, the guy may NOT have even been in an offside position, I just noticed it. At the time of the pass he appears to be, but then just at the left of the view a red defender appears running up field trying to put him off. It is possible that the attacker was fine all along.

Comments?

[BTFOOM]

I hate to toss a monkey wrench into this, but watch the clip, the guy may NOT have even been in an offside position, I just noticed it. At the time of the pass he appears to be, but then just at the left of the view a red defender appears running up field trying to put him off. It is possible that the attacker was fine all along.

Comments?

Fantastic attention to detail, NHRef. I watched it several times, pausing when the ball was played. It appears to me the attacker was in fact on-side when the ball was put through.

As for the AR, job (very) well done, sir.

[Wreave]

Wow.

1. Great catch!

2. Just goes to show how many of us suckered for the party line (great example of waiting on the flag) instead of being inquisitive and validating the facts for ourselves.

3. Not to pick on Alfred, but this certainly makes him look like a bit of an idiot. "Miami player Romario is in an obvious offside position when the ball is last touched by his teammate, Gil..."

Maybe the next memo needs to include this same video, but be on the topic of professionalism when reviewing the work of other referees. "Many spectators would have believed that Miami player Romario was in an obvious offside position when the ball was last touched by his teammate..."

I'm trying to save and post some stills from the video and may yet get a chance tonight.