Question Number: 27458

Law 11 - Offside 5/20/2013

RE: Rec. Under 10

Scott O'Connor of Lovingston, Virginia USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 27411

Interesting responses, I grew up in England and throughout my whole childhood whenever I watched football on television this situation I came across was often called offside (but that was the 90's). You guys know this better than I do, but in the last 5 or so years the rule has changed slightly and it seems there has often been confusion even between professionals about the rule.

I see where you are correct in respect to the call being onside in guidance with todays laws, even though I feel it should be offside for resons I said in the first question submitted. So this is my question to you guys, do you think the law should be changed back to a sort of original understanding of offside from the 90's and back or do you think should it be kept the same?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Scott
Personally I think offside is spoiling the game. Slide rule decision making was never the intent of offside and I believe that the more that can be done to limit offside calls the better. The game needs more goals and one of the biggest inhibitors IMO is offside.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

IMO, the changes have enhanced the speed and joy of the game. I would not want to go back to the time when defenders could stop defending whenever anyone was in an offside position.

The challenge today is that the speed and complexity of play makes it very difficult for the assistant referee to know exactly when the ball was last touched and to be square to the field at that moment. The assistant referees today require a greater fitness and focus than in the 90's.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I agree with both my fellow panel members. Offside limits the number of goals scored. I have no hard data in front of me but this must be true.

The current interpretations certainly decrease the number of offside calls in that although it says 'touches or plays' almost universally do ARs leave the flag down until the ball is actually touched when considering interfering with play.