Fortunately, it didn't come down to this, but here's what happened: Thornton picks up the ball and begins striding for the top of the area, obviously getting ready to release it into play. Edson Buddle apparently dawdles in what could be (and was) interpreted as interference by Brian Hall. Thornton punts the ball smack into the back of Buddle's head (which cannot feel good, BTW). The ball rebounds of his head, back over Thornton to Jeff Cunningham, who has only one defender between himself and the end line. Cunningham alertly gets a foot on the ball and nets it. Hall correctly (IMO) whistles Buddle for the obvious infraction. IFK Fire from the SOTI. HOWEVER: in response to the written questions after the match, Hall states that had Buddle not been whistled for interfering with the Keeper releasing the ball, then Cunningham would have been called for offside. It seems to me that, in order to make that call it would be necessary to adjudge that Buddle purposely played the ball, blindly, with the back of his head, to a teammate he could not possibly know was there. Any thoughts?
Offside. Attackers need only touch the ball (Law 11: "when last touched by a teammate" - emphasis mine). It's a defender who has to make a controlled play to negate offside.
Even though it wasn't controlled, Cunningham gained an advantage by being in an offside position, which is the very definition of offside. Although if it wasn't intentional, I'm not sure why Hall called a foul on Buddle...
I was about to post in favor of offside as well (though I'm not a referee and don't even play one on TV ) with the following reasoning (please let me know if I've got this right): Cunningham is in an offside position when the play begins (Thornton's punt) and gains from that position with the resultant unintentional ricochette, whether Buddle intends the direction of the rebound or not. Proper call is offside, but that's trumped by the interference call. BTW, I'm thinking of entering the Ranks of the Impartial. Any hope for me? dadman
Offside position is only evaluated when the ball is played by the attacking team. Being offside when Thornton punts is OK. Being offside when Buddle plays the ball (with his back or head) is not OK. I'm blind, can't run, and don't know the rules, but I've been reffing for 27 years. (Just ask a few of my coaching and playing brethern.) If I can do it, so can you. It's a great way to get some exercise, see a great game (or a not so great game), get out of the house, and sometimes some pocket change. See the stickied thread for more details. https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5252
So the play resets with the contact (Buddle). Got it. I've always empathized with the Man in the Middle (or the Females on the Flanks, or the Tykes in Touch) for both good and ill. I've been asked to coach over the (many) years, but have always considered that if I did get involved past the rabid player/rabid fan addiction that is my lot, I'd rather be in with the group that best exemplifies pure love of the game. That, and I don't have enough money to replace coffee pots when I need to motivate "the lads." Thanks for the encouragement. dadman