Question Number: 27880

Other 10/12/2013

RE: N/A Other

Peter Grove of Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire England asks...

This question is a follow up to question 27860

When referee Voshol says it's been this way 'for years,' he isn't kidding. It hasn't been possible to be offside from a goal kick since the very first set of rules were promulgated in 1863 (although at that time, goal kicks were actually taken from on or behind the goal line as there was no goal area).

The wording was as follows: 'When a player has kicked the ball, any one of the same side who is nearer to the opponent's goal line is out of play, and may not touch the ball himself, nor in any way whatever prevent any other player from doing so, until he is in play; but no player is out of play when the ball is kicked off from behind the goal line.'

I have often made this point before in discussions but to me it is striking how similar the original offside law was, to the way it is now, in terms of what constitutes being 'active in play' - back then (as now) it required a player to either touch the ball or interfere with an opponent, in order to be guilty of an offside offence.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi peter
Thanks again for your historical insight which is always appreciated.
Some things just go full circle and come back to they way they were. I think some other laws will go that way as well.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Peter
You never cease to amaze me with your incredible knowledge of the history of The Laws Of The Game and soccer in general. As always, thank you for your contribution and we always welcome you to the site.