At the beginning of the World Cup, I was impressed with the way the assistant referees were calling offsides. However, during the second games of group play, there seems that someone has been instructing them to err towards the defense
In a couple of games, Senegal and Costa Rica, offsides were being called eventhough the attacker was behind the defender when the ball was struck and sprinted ahead after the ball was in the air!
The official has to keep level with the last defender, watch the ball, and spot where the attacker's position. Sometimes, two of these actions are on opposide from the official and can put him at a bad angle where it appears the attacker is in front of play instead of inline or behind.
The only thing I can think of is adding two more officials (linespeople) whose job is to moniter the strike of the ball. Anytime the ball is passed forward, he will press a device that will buzz the assistant referee, who should be in line with the defender, and can determine if the attacker is onside.
The official has to keep level with the last defender, watch the ball, and spot where the attacker's position. Sometimes, two of these actions are on opposide from the official and can put him at a bad angle where it appears the attacker is in front of play instead of inline or behind.
The only thing I can think of is adding two more officials (linespeople) whose job is to moniter the strike of the ball. Anytime the ball is passed forward, he will press a device that will buzz the assistant referee, who should be in line with the defender, and can determine if the attacker is onside.