I’ve got a theory about why so many “offside” calls, upon video review, seem to have been made in error.

As I’ve admitted in another post on your section of the blog, I don’t have much (practically none) experience being a referee. So, I thought I post this for your opinion, and the opinion of other learned minds who read the blog.

We’ve all see the video evidence: the image is stopped just at the point of impact as the ball is being kicked, and the attacking player is still “onside”; yet, the AR raises his flag for a violation.

Here’s my theory: the AR has to watch the back line for offside calls. Although he can still discern the ball, he really is concentrating on the forward attacking player and the defense.

His attention get heightened when he HEARS the “thump” of the ball being kicked, sees the attacking player in an offside position, and raises his flag.

Here’s the crucial part for me: sound waves travel slower than light waves; therefore, the sound of the thump arrives just a split-second later.

When the AR hears the “thump” the attacking player IS offside.

Whaddaya think? Sounds plausible; or a load of bunk?