U11/U12 REC & DL Attacking Line

Applicable to:

• U11/U12 DEVELOPMENTAL LEAGUES
• U11/U12 RECREATIONAL LEAGUES

In these matches, offside is to be enforced only within the attacking third of the playing area on each side of the pitch.

Starting the 2016-17 indoor season, half-field competition began implementing an attacking line offside line for youth players. We have now extended that rule to the outdoor season, applying it to U11 & U12 league matches. In these matches, offside is to be enforced only within the attacking third of the playing area on each side of the pitch.

                               

Officials are reminded that there is no "offside line" (as a blueline is used in hockey) but rather the offside rule is applied in the same manner as it is in standard 11 v 11 outdoor soccer with the modification that it is only applied in the attacking third of the field of play. Keeping that in mind, the key moment of judgment is when the ball is played. Therefore it is possible for an individual to receive or touch the ball within the attacking third of the field but not necessarily be offside provided that at the moment the ball is played, they are outside of the attacking third of the field of play.

In order for a referee to be able to consider if a player may be offside, the player must satisfy two initial requirements at the moment the ball is played:

1. Being within the attacking third of the pitch
2. Being in an offside position.

At that point, the referee can determine if the player is:

• Interfering with play or
• Interfering with an opponent or
• Gaining an advantage by being in that position