[superdave]

From a recent Leeds match. There was a longish ball from the midfield. Kewell was onside (just), Viduka offside (just), and there were 25 or so yards between them horizontally. (Horizontal from the GK's perspective.) The pass was to Kewell, and the flag stayed down. So far, so good. Down the field they went, Kewell passed to Viduka, now onside, Viduka scored.

I thought it was a good play, since at the time of the first pass, Viduka wasn't offside since he wasn't involved in the play. And on the 2nd play, he wasn't offside. But the commentator said something over the replay about Viduka being offside on the initial pass, questioning the non-call. So I wondered if being offside stays with a player for some time.

This is pretty cut-and-dried for you guys, but for amateurs like me, it's an interesting question. Good goal, or not?

[gildarkevin]

I just got a clarification from an MLS AR on this last month (actually, writing this response reminds me that someone posed a similar question here a little while back).

With each new teammate that touches the ball, freeze the play at that point and determine who is onside/offside.

So when Kewell receives the ball, you "reset" for purposes of offside. If, when Kewell played the ball, Viduka was now onside, he is onside.

[MarioKempes]

Exactly! Thanks Superdave for posting this question. I had to go back and read and consider this situation myself. Luckily, my initial thought was correct. This and $3.00 will buy me a Happy Meal at McDonalds.

[pkCrouse]

Maybe we should sticky this as an example of the perfect thread: a well-defined question and a clear, accurate answer.

[Karl K]

Originally posted by gildarkevin
I just got a clarification from an MLS AR on this last month (actually, writing this response reminds me that someone posed a similar question here a little while back).

With each new teammate that touches the ball, freeze the play at that point and determine who is onside/offside.

So when Kewell receives the ball, you "reset" for purposes of offside. If, when Kewell played the ball, Viduka was now onside, he is onside.

Yes, correct, well said.

By the way, this principle applies on cornerkicks and throw ins.

At the corner kick, or the thrown, no player can be called offside. But once the "second touch" occurs from the corner kick, or throw in, a new sequence occurs, and the offside rule is "in play."

[passtheblizz]

I saw the play you are talking about, know the rule, and he looked maybe offsides to me in this situation. He did check back sort of to receive the ball onsides, but I thought that he was offsides right when Kewell passed it. That is probably what the commentator thought. One of those plays that could go either way, and at full speed is almost impossible to judge. I think 9 out of 10 times he would have been called offsides, correctly or not, and I was surprised that the linesman's flag didn't go up. Usually if it isn't clear and the result is a breakaway, the defense gets the benefit of the doubt. (and even is still not on)

[superdave]

Originally posted by passtheblizz
I saw the play you are talking about, know the rule, and he looked maybe offsides to me in this situation.

No way. He was behind the ball when it was played.