Question Number: 32369

Law 11 - Offside 4/14/2018

RE: Rec Adult

Russell of Sydney, Australia asks...

This question is a follow up to question 32361

I think removing the offside rule would be counter productive to the intension of doing so - in the professional game, and, even in the higher levels of there grass roots games.

Being able to keep a player in an advance position in the game, would see the defending team keeping players deeper to counter any possible (quick) attack.

While there would be more space between each set of defenders which would allow for a more open (midfield) game, there would be no tactical forward movement by defenders, and so the game would become more of a stalemate situation.

The ice hockey offside ruling is interesting, however, as the rink is short (in comparison to a Football field) - it works. Not sure about on a larger footy field.

Overall, I think the offside rule works well.
It provides tactic and allows a team to advance up the field, which intern, allows for a team to 'counter attack.

What needs a tweak is the help to official to avoid the City v Liverpool UCl kay match incident.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Russell
For me watching the game to see play stopped for an IDFK awarded for a player whose is a pace beyond the last defender is frustrating. It was never the intention of the offside law to do this yet it is what we have because a player cannot be slightly offside
We also have this fixation by TV coverage of drawing lines to show marginal offside positions which in many ways is unhelpful yet it is technically correct.
In our national game of Gaelic football there is no offside and it works well without it. Players have to mark opponents who decide to stay close to goal so it does create space except where teams decide to have its players track back into its own half while defending.
Personally I think the game in its current playing style could manage and develop without offside. I see no real reason for offside to be retained . In fact for me all it does it takes away goal scoring opportunities with a soft IDFK . Spectators go to games to see goals and chances being created. Why have a rule that limits that and take away goals like the Sane which one was ruled out incorrectly when it should be allowed to stand. Even if Blue play it forward was the player off his side?
Some fear that without offside that teams will camp big players inside the penalty area and hump the ball in to those players. Personally I cannot see that happening . Field hockey did away with offside and there was no negative playing issues as a result. I think soccer would be the same.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Russell,
I just try to understand what it is rather than worry what it is not!
cheers !