1. LAW 11 - OFFSIDE
Online Training Script:
Welcome to U.S. Soccer’s online training for the Grade 9 Referee Course.
Training for this course is specific to preparing officials for the small sided and recreational youth game.
This presentation focuses on Law 11 – Offside.
U.S. SOCCER FEDERATION REFEREE PROGRAM GRADE 9 REFEREE COURSE
SMALL-SIDED AND RECREATIONAL YOUTH TRAINING

2. OFFSIDE POSITION
Nearer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second to last opponent
Any part of the head, body, or feet (NOT including the arms) is in the opponent’s half
Keep in mind that it is Not an offense to be in an offside position
Online Training Script:
A player is in an offside position when he or she is nearer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second to last opponent.
Nearer to the opponent’s goal line means any part of the player’s head, feet, or body, but not including the arms, is closer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second to last opponent.
It is not a penalty in itself to be in an offside position.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

3. OFFSIDE POSITION
An attacking player is NOT in an offside position when that player is
In her/his own defensive half of the field
Level with the second-to-last opponent
Level with the last two opponents
Online Training Script:
A player cannot be in an offside position when he or she is in their own defensive half of the field, level with the second to last opponent or level with the last two opponents.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

4. OFFSIDE OFFENSE Player is penalized for an offside offense
If the player is in an Offside Position
At the Moment the Ball is Touched or Played by a teammate, and
The player becomes involved in Active Play
Online Training Script:
In order for a player to be penalized for an offside offense, he or she must meet all of the following criteria.
He or she must be in an offside position at the moment the ball is touched played by a teammate, and, in the opinion of the referee, become involved in active play.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

5. 1 2 3 OFFSIDE OFFENSE Online Training Script:
The attacking player is in an offside position because, before the ball is played, he is closer to the goal line than both the ball and second to last defender.
While in an offside position, his teammate plays him the ball.
He then becomes involved in active play by touching the ball and should therefore be penalized for an offside offense.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

6. NO OFFSIDE OFFENSE Online Training Script:
Although the attacking player receives the ball behind the second to last opponent, he was not in an offside position at the time the ball was played by his teammate so there is no offense committed.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

7. ACTIVE PLAY An attacking player is involved by Interfering with play
Interfering with opponent
Gaining an advantage
Online Training Script:
In order for an attacking player to be involved in active play, he or she must, in the opinion of the referee, be interfering with play, interfering with an opponent or gaining an advantage by being in that position.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

8. INTERFERING PLAY Online Training Script:
Interfering with play is defined as playing or touching a ball passed or touched by a teammate.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

9. INTERFERING OPPONENT Online Training Script:
Interfering with an opponent means preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

10. GAINING ADVANTAGE Online Training Script:
Gaining an advantage means playing a ball that rebounds off the goalpost, crossbar or opponent.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

11. Throw-in Corner kick NO OFFSIDE OFFENSE Online Training Script:
Note that there is no offense if a player receives the ball directly from a goal kick, throw-in or corner kick.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

12. U.S. Soccer Player Development Initiative
7v7 Build Out Line:
Online Training Script:
The U.S. Soccer Player Development Initiative recommends that 7v7 youth games use modified field markings that include a “Build-out Line”.
The Build-out Line will be used in 7v7 youth games to identify and denote where Offside offenses can be called.
Players can not be penalized for an Offside offense if they are between the halfway line and their opponents Build-out Line.
Players can only be penalized for an Offside offense that takes place between their opponents Build-out Line and their opponents goal line.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

13. No notes.
REVIEW QUESTIONS

14. REVIEW QUESTIONS
To be in an offside position, a player must be which of the following?
Nearer to the opponent’s goal line than the ball
Nearer to the opponent’s goal line than the second-to-last defender
In the opponent’s half of the field
All of the above

15. REVIEW QUESTIONS
Should a player always be penalized for being in an offside position?
YES NO

16. REVIEW QUESTIONS
Does a player have to be in an offside position and involved in active play to be punished for an offside offense?
YES NO

17. REVIEW QUESTIONS
A player cannot be punished for being offside position if he or she receives the ball directly from which of the following?
Corner kick
Goal kick
Throw-in
All of the above

18. USSOCCER.COM/REFEREES