Behind the Stripes is brought to you by the Saskatchewan Amateur Football Officials Association.  There is still time to join the ranks --- go to www.bearef.ca to find out how you can get on the field as an official.  

There was a situation recently where Paul McCallum from the BC Lions attempted a short kick and in doing so, literally had one foot ahead of the football before the actual kick and there were immediately questions about that being an off-side situation.  The short answer is no.  According to Canadian rules at the instant the ball is kicked off, player of Team A (kicking team) shall not be in advance of the ball, except the player who may be holding the ball for the kick off or the kicker who is always considered to be onside.