Offside?

[BES]

In my game on the weekend the red attacker was through on goal, the goalkeeper makes a save and the defence half clear the ball. The red attacker has now ended up behind the goal (due to momentum) but his team have retreived the ball, shot at goal and again the gk has made a block. The red attacker has now come back onto the pitch and tapped the ball into the net.

I disallowed the 'goal' for offside. Obvious to say no defenders were on the line. Can you confirm I made the right decision?

The red attacker argued he wasn't on the pitch/in an offside position when the shot was taken.

 

[SM]

Yes he has "gained an advantage" from being in that position and it is a "rebound from a deliberate save"by gk, so correctly called offside. as soon as he stepped back into play he was in an offside position.

Well spotted.

 

[206eddy]

Definitely offside. I'm sure this or a very similar situation was a question on my basic course exam paper. Good shout to disallow the goal.

 

[BES]

Thanks, reassuring to know I got it right!

In the same match I allowed a goal in the 2nd minute after the CAR had flagged for offside. I spoke to the assistant and disagreed that the goalscorer was offside and therefore allowed the goal. So from early on one team thought I was strong to make big decisions the other team thinking I am against them.

With this and the above 'offside' goal I really wasn't the Reds favourite person but I sleep well knowing the decisions I made were correct.

Additionally after I allowed the early goal the assistant stopped raising his flag to assist me for about the next 15mins as if he was sulking. I got grief when I had to decide alone if other moves were offside or try and keep up with long balls to make a decision on goal kicks/corners etc. It made me chuckle that I was getting stick for not always knowing which way a throw should go when it was their own club assistant who was letting them down by not flagging!

 

[Martiju]

It made me chuckle that I was getting stick for not always knowing which way a throw should go when it was their own club assistant who was letting them down by not flagging!

This happens in my league quite a lot. I've found that as long as I make decisive (probably not always correct!) calls then that minimises the stick I'm getting. Also, I wouldn't be averse to speaking to the CA, ideally with the captain present, to explain that you need him to play his part. I tend to remark that if he doesn't then his team are better off replacing him as otherwise they are at a disadvantage. Once or twice I've told the CA to give the flag back too. Remember that you're in control of the game and they are meant to be helping.

 

[MattyontheWhistle]

WIth CARs I always tell the players beforehand that I am the one calling offsides, and that I always give benefit if the doubt to the attacker as the Laws say I should. That way, any disagreements are easily stopped with "Remember what I said before the game lads!"

As far as your offside call goes, u got in spot on, even if he is off the pitch, he is deemed to be standing on the goal line for the purpose of offside.

 

[Jordan Lockwood]

I agree completely with Matty - and also do what he does.

A quick word before the game minimises dissent in the game! I also bring up respecting the distance at a restart, then if they put their foot in front of a quick free-kick or run 10 yards to stop it being taken - they can't complain at being cautioned, or call you petty, because you made it clear before the game they'd be going in the book for it!