Rationale for the off sides rule in soccer

[Goughy]

Two questions regarding off-sides:

-Is off-sides called when the pass is made or when its received?
-I was watching the USA-Slovenia match and I had a question about the last USA goal that was waived off. In this situation, I noticed the US striker received the pass in the penalty box while ahead of all the defenders. Could that have been called off-sides?

Apologies if the questions seem silly.

For simplicity, the answer is a.

Once the pass has been made players can go wherever they want.

[Neil Pickup]

Drogba's consolation goal just now being a case in point - a yard behind the back line when the ball was played... three yards in front when received. Perfect through ball.

[nightprowler10]

Ah cheers. Seems a perfectly reasonable rule.

I'm 99% sure the third US "goal" was (incorrectly, IMHO) ruled out for a striker impeding a defender rather than offside.

My question was a hypothetical, could it have been ruled offside () in that situation?

Also, is the rule subject to change during a free kick/corner kick/in the penalty box etc or is there pretty much no room for leniency?

[Neil Pickup]

Ah cheers. Seems a perfectly reasonable rule.



My question was a hypothetical, could it have been ruled offside () in that situation?

Also, is the rule subject to change during a free kick/corner kick/in the penalty box etc or is there pretty much no room for leniency?

You can't be offside from a corner (as everyone is behind the ball to begin with), and you can't be offside from a throw in (source of much anger during youth football coaching).

[Goughy]

You can't be offside from a corner (as everyone is behind the ball to begin with), and you can't be offside from a throw in (source of much anger during youth football coaching).

yeah. Im guessing from the parents. Ive lost count of the number of times Ive had to explain to those on the sideline. Its amazing that so many dont know a simple rule like that.

[nightprowler10]

Got it.

[Neil Pickup]

yeah. Im guessing from the parents. Ive lost count of the number of times Ive had to explain to those on the sideline. Its amazing that so many dont know a simple rule like that.

That, and the total lack of movement that so many wide players offer when the ball's out of play.

You're a winger! Get down the wing!

[FaaipDeOiad]

In my experience, other than the timing issue, the two things people find most confusing about the offside rule are that it's the second-last defender, not the last, and that you also can't be offside if you're behind the ball. Essentially meaning that if the goalkeeper moves out, one defender being ahead of the offending player doesn't prevent it being offside, and that any pass going backwards won't lead to an offside call.

[grecian]

Yeah, I remember the change in 94 as well, had everyone confused at first

The old man spent plenty of times talking to me about the things that were different in his day as well and your interpretation of offisde is the same as his (he's slightly older than you of coruse ).

Indeed, in fact a ref defending his lino said after the match, about a Fulham goal, that the clearly offside Gordon Davies "wasn't interfering with play". Only slight problem with the brilliant statement was the ball went directly through to Davies who scored, 'twas the only goal in the game too.

[GingerFurball]

You can't be offside from a corner (as everyone is behind the ball to begin with), and you can't be offside from a throw in (source of much anger during youth football coaching).

You can't be offside from a goal kick, I'm fairly sure in theory you can be offside from a corner although in practice it's exceptionally unlikely to ever happen.

[Neil Pickup]

Law 11.3: No offence

There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from:
• a goal kick
• a throw-in
• a corner kick

[GingerFurball]

Law 11.3: No offence

There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from:
• a goal kick
• a throw-in
• a corner kick

Stand corrected then.

Wasn't sure if a corner was explicitly ruled out the way goal kicks were.

Incidentally I've seen an SPL linesman flag Peter Lovenkrands offside when he received the ball from a throw in.

Clown.

[Burgey]

Well I just must've just imagined the Arsenal back four stepping up in unison with their arms raised when a ball was played over the top then. Seemed pretty vivid tho.

^ How can you be offisde from a corner anyway? The ball would have to be kicked backwards to you wouldn't it?

[cpr]

In my experience, other than the timing issue, the two things people find most confusing about the offside rule are that it's the second-last defender, not the last, and that you also can't be offside if you're behind the ball. Essentially meaning that if the goalkeeper moves out, one defender being ahead of the offending player doesn't prevent it being offside, and that any pass going backwards won't lead to an offside call.

Aye does catch some out. Its the second to last man, the keeper 9/10 times being the last man, unless his name is Higuita (ah, Italia 90 memories)

[silentstriker]

What's the downside in having a rule that says:

It's offsides if an opposition player crosses the penalty box unless:

A) The ball is already inside the box (either held by your team or the opposition)
B) You are crossing it while in possession of the ball

That way it's up to the defense to stay in possesion, you can't just hang out right at the goal line. If the penalty box is too close, maybe draw another line 2/3 of the way between the midfield and the penalty box. Would be massively easier to enforce.