Question Number: 24966

Law 11 - Offside 5/17/2011

RE: Rec Under 16

Kevin of Duncan, BC Canada asks...

In order to open up the game what are your thoughts on modifying the offside rule? Too many times I have seen an attacking play (which we all enjoy seeing) called back because the attackers foot, head or body was slightly ahead of the second to last defender or the ball. What about a modification like as long as any part of the attackers body (head/foot or torso) is even with the second to last defender it is considered onside? Many of those close plays will now be onside, thus increasing scoring chances. Has FIFA ever looked at modifying this rule?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Kevin
Offside Law 11 is the most modified Law in the Laws of the Game. It has been changed on umpteen occasion to as you say 'open up play'.
The biggest change in the Law happened in 2006 when the requirement for the player in an offside position to touch the ball was put in place.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Every 2 years Law 11 is reinterpreted/modified/altered etc. to open up play. Has it? I don't think so. What it HAS done is to continue to confuse referees and everyone else. About the time everyone is on the same page, another interpretation is changed. Not the basics but enough to confuse and confound.

Before I became a referee I thought Offside should be done away with and we'd see a plethora of goals but the more I think about it, the less I believe that. In fact, I think the opposite. As attackers would be free to roam and place themselves wherever they wanted, defenses would have to keep players back to defend. It's elegant in a way to watch defenses put attackers in offside position. It's also strangely cool that defenses can simply ignore an opponent 25 yards closer to their goal because that player is offside.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The change in the definition of 'closer' for offside position (from torso to any head, feet, body) is itself very recent. I suspect that IFAB will continue to modify law 11 to promote attacking soccer.

My concern with your proposed change, however, is that makes the judgment call even more complex. The assistant referee has a challenge to focus on the offside 'line' with the speed of modern play- - your proposal would make it an offside 'rectangle.'