Hockey abolished the offside rule over a decade ago after some experimentation and it is reckoned to be a success. More goals are scored and the game is stretched. There is general agreement that the game is more entertaining. Players, fans and officials are all in favour.
In football there are more disputes about the offside rule than any other. Blatant errors are common and TV evidence often highlights the worst examples. The disallowed goal in our last game against Rangers is a perfect example of the problem caused by the rule.
Blatter has made no proposal but the fact that he approached the chief of the International Hockey federation to seek their view on the law change must indicate that change is being considered. The last change to the interpretation of the law has been criticised by fans, players and managers. Discussion about ‘active’ players and different ‘phases’ of play do nothing but complicate what should be a simple game.
Over the years there have been many experiments with offside. While few games have been played without offside there have been some trials with ‘offside free zones’. The most well known caused the eighteen yard line to be extended to both touchlines. Players could only be offside beyond the new line.
It is likely that if the law was abolished that there could be more goals but there might be disadvantages. Would the long ball game come to the fore? Would it signal the end for midfield play?
Some recent changes to the game have been successful. The ‘pass back’ rule prevents excessive time wasting and keeps the ball in play for longer – a good thing. Could we be on the brink of another alteration and would it be work?