Chelsea - Porto (Leg 1) Interesting Offside

[intechpc]

Ok so I finally got around to watching the Leg 1 match between Chelsea and Porto and there was an offside call made that I have never seen or even thought about before (probably second hat for many of you however). I believe it was Chelsea that had a throw-in deep in Porto's territory. The Chelesea player throws it in just slightly up field (away from the Porto goal) to teammate who happens to be being marked by the 2LD. As the thrower enters the field the receiver of the throw kicks it back to him where he receives it in an onside position, however the flag goes up. Seeing the replay, the thrower's first step onto the field was into an offside position and then he moved up into the onside position, but only after the kick.

Thinking about this in terms of the laws it makes perfect sense. I guess the only reason it was notable to me is that I can't say I've ever really thought to watch for this. Now maybe if it ever happened, since I'm staying in line with the 2LD, it would be more obvious, but I'm just not sure. Either way I'm guessing I won't miss that call now. Good job by the AR on that side!

[mw26]

i see that one a lot, both watching the pros, and as an AR. the reaction is usually the same: "huh? what!!?!?!? oh......crap, i'm dumb." pretty consistent at the pro level, from what i've seen. some U18 kids refuse to learn, however :rolleyes:

[jkc313]

Especially when the thrower is near the corner flag. They step back on the same as you've probably seen takers of a corner kick and kick it up the touchline to a teammate who kicks it back to the corner tacker

[mw26]

Especially when the thrower is near the corner flag. They step back on the same as you've probably seen takers of a corner kick and kick it up the touchline to a teammate who kicks it back to the corner tacker

corners as well. they'll play it short, the defence will push up, and they kick it back to the kick taker, who will be suddenly offside

[DerbyRam54]

corners as well. they'll play it short, the defence will push up, and they kick it back to the kick taker, who will be suddenly offside

That happens a lot at U-14 rec/travel level. It's worrisome that the players don't understand it, even worse when the coaches have no clue.
In a more general sense, people tend to watch the ball, so when they see the flag go up as a player touches the ball in an apparently onside position there are howls of displeasure. They don't look at the match as an AR would.

[ref47]

these situations are when that "illegal", unnecessary extra signal, the over and back from a b-ball game, comes in handy. the ar does that and the more knowledgeable go, "ah".

[IASocFan]

these situations are when that "illegal", unnecessary extra signal, the over and back from a b-ball game, comes in handy. the ar does that and the more knowledgeable go, "ah".

Communication is GOOD. The "illegal", "unnecessary" signal is a GOOD communications tool. It completely communicates what happened. I've used it numerous times, as have my ARs.

[BC_Ref]

corners as well. they'll play it short, the defence will push up, and they kick it back to the kick taker, who will be suddenly offside

I've seen this happen more on corners. Partly to do with the age - U14 we are still doing solos, so while I can pretty easily pick-out a corner offside call (the positioning of the teams will make the call obvious one way or the other). Older ages tend to either pound it into the goal area or knock it back, and then in.

As a solo, I don't have the goal line to act as a reference for the 2nd last defender, so trying to call offside on a throw-in is very difficult. Most teams rarely play a true "flat four" with only one ref. Too risky given the risk of a "no call" for offside where I simply can't tell whether someone is on or offside.

[mw26]

Communication is GOOD. The "illegal", "unnecessary" signal is a GOOD communications tool. It completely communicates what happened. I've used it numerous times, as have my ARs.

you see FIFA AR's make the semi-circular signal all the time.

what i don't like is when soccer referees act like basketball referees, and gesticulate wildly everytime they make a call (you've seen that call in the nba, where the ref blows the whistle, thrusts one arm up and the other forward, raises his knee, and jumps toward the scorers table on one foot 5 times before tapping his hips repeatedly and throwing his arm in the direction of possession :rolleyes:). what is appropriate, is when the offending team gets humpty, and you make a simple gesture demonstrating the nature of the offence.

[refontherun]

you see FIFA AR's make the semi-circular signal all the time.

what i don't like is when soccer referees act like basketball referees, and gesticulate wildly everytime they make a call (you've seen that call in the nba, where the ref blows the whistle, thrusts one arm up and the other forward, raises his knee, and jumps toward the scorers table on one foot 5 times before tapping his hips repeatedly and throwing his arm in the direction of possession :rolleyes:). what is appropriate, is when the offending team gets humpty, and you make a simple gesture demonstrating the nature of the offence.

It is pretty common in my area for coming back from offside position. Another illegal signal I will use is the palms together in front of the face and arcing away to represent a "dive". Everyone seems to know what I mean.

[ref2coach]

Another illegal signal I will use is the palms together in front of the face and arcing away to represent a "dive". Everyone seems to know what I mean.

So if I understand you correctly, you are the CR, you have made a judgment about a situation that occurs on your field, you feel that the situation needs to be recognized/clarified/explained, your judgment is that the player "dove" you then use a "signal" to communicate your judgment/decision to the players.

OK I understand that.

Now my question.

WHEN do you CAUTION the player for unsporting behavior??? :(

[intechpc]

WHEN do you CAUTION the player for unsporting behavior??? :(

My question exactly. Ref2coach, you already have a "legal" way of communicating this call, it's called a Yellow Card.