June 13, 2007
Think you know your offside?
Like most things in football, the offside rule is pretty simple - but there are a few situations that can make the calmest of managers blow their top.
The ‘active’ ruling for example. Players can be in an offside position but not be offside. It doesn’t quite make sense at first, but let’s stick to the basics first.
A player is in an offside position if, when the ball is played by a team-mate, they are nearer to the opposition’s goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent.
From the graphic above, the second last opponent determines the line from where the offside area begins and can be anywhere in this half of the pitch.
The referee’s assistant will make their decision based on this offside area.
All straightforward so far? This is where the grey areas start to make life a little confusing.
A change to the rule was introduced two years ago, which allows a player to be in an offside position provided they are not “actively involved in play”.
It was designed to promote attacking football, but it is open to interpretation.
Fifa, world football’s governing body, gives the following definition:
“Interfering with play means playing or touching the ball passed or touched by a team-mate.”
However, a player does not necessarily have to touch the ball to influence play. They are still offside if they are judged to be:
- Interfering with an opponent If an attacker interferes with an opponent by either preventing them from playing or being able to play the ball, then they are offside. For example, blocking the goalkeeper, or obstructing their line of vision.
- Gaining an advantage If the ball is played into the penalty area and rebounds off a post, crossbar or an opposing defender, then the attacker is offside as they have gained an advantage by being in that position.
OFFSIDE ESSENTIALS
Here are a few more things to remember.
You can’t be offside if:
For any offside offence, the referee awards an indirect free-kick to the opposing team, to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred.
with thanks and acknowledgement to bbc.co.uk
HO HO…here is a debate that should draw discussion from all about the place. Nice one BJ.
For my money, one of the most important parts of this rule is the “Gaining an advantage” section. For example if a player steps over a ball but does not play it…surely he has used his position to confuse the defenders or ‘keeper and gain an advantage. It is the one part of the rule where I think referees and assistants become confused and players have trouble understanding their decisions.
Comment by A Whisper — June 14, 2007 @ 8:26 am
The offside rule….love it….not!! One rule I struggle with as it is implemented on the basis of how the linesman interprets it. Here in tassie it is normally incorrect….not having a dig, however so often even in premier league games linesman are young boys or girls learning the trade (which is fantastic) however they don’t fully grasp the idea and therefor you can’t play the offside trap.
Comment by Observer — June 14, 2007 @ 9:22 am
The ‘new’ off-side rule is great in promoting attacking play. It’s not hard to comprehend at all and I strongly disagree with Observer that it the young assistant refs. that get it so wrong.
In games I’ve seen this season older assistants have seen a guy ‘off-side’ but not being active, raised their flag and stood still, whilst the play, quite rightly, continued. The ref. allowed the game to continue and there was another possible ‘correct’ off-side. Assistant 20-30 metres behind the play.
The young boys and girls running the lines know the new rule. They’re doing the courses. Good on them and we should all support them.
The problem actually comes down to the older ‘fans’ who haven’t followed the laws updates and give young assistants a hard time.
Comment by tasblue — June 14, 2007 @ 10:22 pm
The BBC explains the new interpretation very well. But, I am in favour of the original off-side law. I think football is played with the head as well as the feet and intelligence is an important factor. The off-side law should be a legitimate tool for intelligent defenders, as well as intelligent attackers. That’s what makes the game so appealing. It gives it an extra dimension compared to many other sports.
The new interpretation, unfortunately, caters for the lowest common denominator in terms of player intelligence and gives far too much power to a referee’ or assistant referee’. It comes down to their opinion, and as we have seen so often already, opinions vary. Players often don’t know how a referee will interpret ‘interfering with play’. The original law left no-one in doubt.
As one famous coach said: “If my players are not interfering with play, what are they doing out there?”
The new interpretation is yet another example of FIFA president Sepp Blatter’s reign. As one German journalist said: “Blatter has 50 new ideas a day, 51 of which are bad.”
Comment by Walter Pless — June 15, 2007 @ 4:20 pm