When was the offside rule introduced to football and why?
2007-03-04 07:04:25 · 7 answers · asked by Dr Watson (UK) 5 in Sports ➔ Football ➔ English Football
The origins of the off-side law began in the various late 18th and early 19th century "football" type games played in English public schools, and descended from the same sporting roots found in the game of Rugby. A player was "off his side" if he was standing in front of the ball (between the ball and the opponents' goal). In these early days, players were not allowed to make a forward pass. They had to play "behind" the ball, and made progress towards the oppositions' goal by dribbling with the ball or advancing in a scrum-like formation. It did not take long to realise, that to allow the game to flow freely, it was essential to permit the forward pass, thus raising the need for a properly structured off-side law.
It was up to the individual clubs (or the association to which they belonged) to decide which set of numerous Laws to adopt. The Cambridge (1848), Sheffield (1857), Uppingham (1862) and the then newly formed Football Association of 1863, all had slightly different laws (or rules as they were better known in those days).
2007-03-04 07:52:43 · answer #1 · answered by Glenn G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know when it was introduced, but the reason was to stop football scores resembling rugby scores.
If there was no offside rule then you would get a lot of tit-lining and the game would not be entertaining.
It's a pity the referee at Anfield yesterday didn't see them 2 united players tit-lining and offside by quite a way when O'shea put the ball in the back of the net.
2007-03-04 08:30:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont know ex. when it was introduced but the reason why is quite simple, so nobody could be over the line before the qb has the ball hiked to him, and it protects him, if the defense started before the offense it would not be a fun game and unfair. Just think, you hike the ball and someone is standing right beside you to tear your head off.
2007-03-04 07:11:51 · answer #3 · answered by minnesotabluerags 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends what version of the offside law you mean...the original version...or the version recently instigated by FIFA (i think it was 2005)
It still doesn't prevent 'goal hanging' (something i remember from my days playing football in secondary school)
the forwards that score the most goals are good 'goal hangers'
2007-03-04 23:01:47 · answer #4 · answered by carmel_andrews 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It prevents someone from "cherry picking" and planting themselves in the goal area. It has been around for at least 25 years that I know.
2007-03-04 07:12:53 · answer #5 · answered by Stephen B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to prevent players to stand just outside the goal post
2007-03-04 18:13:25 · answer #6 · answered by sam 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does"nt exist at old trafford if red shirts are going forward!
2007-03-04 08:28:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋