Question:
Three attacking players. Player 1 has the ball and passes it forward at which time his two team-mates are in onside positions. As the ball rolls toward Player 2, Player 3 runs into what is now an offside position. Player 2 dummies the ball – never touching it – allowing it to roll between his feet and on toward Player 3.
If dummying is playing then Player 3 is guilty of offside. If dummying is not playing then Player 3 is not guilty of offside.
What call does the AR make?
USSF answer (April 19, 2010):
The AR keeps running with the play; no offense has occurred.
We should note that one of your premises is incorrect: It is NOT “now an onside position” since the position is judged when a teammate last plays or touches the ball. It would be “now an offside position” if and only if never playing or making contact with ball somehow constituted playing the ball.
