Soccer - off-side rules ?

[Virago]

I could google it, but starting an argument is much more fun....

Can someone please give me the definative off-side rules for soccer?

If you ask a group of ardent soccer fans, it always seems to start an argument.....

[sAsLEX]

Keeper and 1 player between the attacker and the goal at the start of the play.

[MisterD]

Keeper and 1 player between the attacker and the goal at the start of the play.

1) It's two players, one of them doesn't have to be the keeper.

2) An attacking player can be in an otherwise offside position, but if he isn't interfering with play (for instance, heading back away from goal nowhere near the ball) then it doesn't matter.

3) Benefit of the doubt should be given to the attacking team

For people that understand the game of football there is no argument about the offside rule. The arguments are always about whether or not goals should be disallowed because of it...

[JimO]

my sons game yesterday against Waitaki Boys first 11 he was called offside around 30 times, they were playing a offside trap game with all their defence sprinting up past the attackers and as soon as one of the attackers recieved the ball the ref would blow it it was bloody frustrating and several of the offsides were doubtfull and the game ending in a 2/2 draw when it should have been 5/2 to us

[xwhatsit]

It's actually a complicated rule. I got caught out by it a couple of times lol.

The most common situation involving this is when an attacking player is further up the field than the furthest opponent (not including the keeper) and the ball. But this is only an offence if you touch the ball, or interfere with the ball in play. You can wander around all you like and not touch the ball, and it's OK.

However, you can bring the ball up from behind the defenders, and kick it around in front of them, but the rule is you can't be passed to if you're in front of them.

This doesn't count for corners, throw-ins, or a goalkick (if your goalie has magic boots).

Oh and it only counts once you're out of your own half.

[Virago]

my sons game yesterday against Waitaki Boys first 11 he was called offside around 30 times, they were playing a offside trap game with all their defence sprinting up past the attackers and as soon as one of the attackers recieved the ball the ref would blow it it was bloody frustrating and several of the offsides were doubtfull and the game ending in a 2/2 draw when it should have been 5/2 to us

That's exactly why I asked. I've just come back from my daughter's game, and our side's coach was doing exactly that. When managing to trap the off-side, he was yelling at the referee, telling him to "play the game". I was not impressed....

[Skyryder]

my sons game yesterday against Waitaki Boys first 11 he was called offside around 30 times, they were playing a offside trap game with all their defence sprinting up past the attackers and as soon as one of the attackers recieved the ball the ref would blow it it was bloody frustrating and several of the offsides were doubtfull and the game ending in a 2/2 draw when it should have been 5/2 to us

It's a tactical part of the game that goes against the spirit of sportsmanship; like so much in sport these days.

The offside rule applies when a player is in front of two opposing players (goalkeeper excluded) at the time of passing the ball to the offside player.

Skyryder

[Squeak the Rat]

It's when you call the ref a monkeys-arse in a previous play, and you get on his off-side. He then finds any reason to give a penalty against you.

Hey, if you're reading this you're still a monkeys arse!

[Swoop]

For people that understand the game of football...

Nice to see someone who knows the proper useage of the word "football" (or Association Football), unlike most pointy-ball fans.

[Skyryder]

Nice to see someone who knows the proper useage of the word "football" (or Association Football), unlike most pointy-ball fans.

I see the NZ crowd have changed their name from Soccar to 'Football.' Officialy it is only the Americans who now call the game of 'football' soccar. I still try and keep up with the play.

Skyrder

[Oakie]

my sons game yesterday against Waitaki Boys first 11 he was called offside around 30 times...,

Yay Waitaki Boys. I was in their second 11 for 3 years but did play 1 game for the first 11 in 1977. Less said about that game the better though.

[Nitzer]

I could google it, but starting an argument is much more fun....

Can someone please give me the definative off-side rules for soccer?

If you ask a group of ardent soccer fans, it always seems to start an argument.....

Just watch a few Arsenal games from the Nineties under George Graham, their defence was notorious for playing the offside-trap.

Be warned though, watching Arsenal play is like watching paint dry!

[MisterD]

However, you can bring the ball up from behind the defenders, and kick it around in front of them, but the rule is you can't be passed to if you're in front of them.

You can't be passed forwards to. If there's just the goalie and your team- mate crosses the ball to you from the by-line while you're on the penalty spot you're still onside because you're behind the ball.

It's difficult rule to referee because you're never in the right place, so it relys on good linesmen...but it's a bloody sight simpler than the tackled ball rules at rugby

[MisterD]

Nice to see someone who knows the proper useage of the word "football" (or Association Football), unlike most pointy-ball fans.

Super White Army...

[Hanne]

for a full explanation of the off-side rules, see 'Bend it liek Beckham': the pepper shaker and the tomato sauce bottle explain it all.