Free Clear or Not to Free Clear -that is the Question April 12, 2022 World Games 2014 0 Forum Questions Team A advances the ball into their box and gets it behind the goal when the trail official blows his whistle and calls Team A for being offside. Ball is immediately dropped to the ground. Team B coach wants a free clear to the middle of the field for the re-start. I say "No" and the ball is re-started by Team B at the spot when the whistle was blown. What say you ? Question File Add new DuBan's Answer: Visual Text Kratz's Answer: Visual Text McCarrick's Answer: Visual Text Riti's Answer: Visual Text The awarding of the ball to the offended team used to result in a free-clear for the offended team. However, several seasons ago the rule was changed to the awarding of the ball to the offended team at the spot the ball was when play was suspended (i.e. when the official blows the whistle to enforce the non-time serving offside foul). So in your situation the coach is probably remembering how the rule read before it was changed. RULE 4, SECTION 11 – SITUATION AND RULING 4.11 SITUATION: Team A has either started play or advanced the ball into its offensive half of the field when it is called for offside. RULING: The ball shall be awarded to the offended team at the spot where the ball was when play was suspended. Tyma's Answer: Visual Text Answer File Question Answered Yes No
