The offside rule has undergone significant changes since the early 19th century, with the last change occurring in 2005. The law, as defined by FIFA, causes more controversy than any other soccer rule or regulation, with referees and their assistants having just milliseconds to interpret the law in the heat of the action. Without it, however, the "beautiful game" would not be as attractive, at least not to soccer purists.
Goal-hanging
Without the offside rule, attacking players can employ a positional tactic commonly known as goal-hanging. This involves a player waiting close to the opponent's goal, or even on the goal line itself, until he receives the ball, with no great regard or need for positional awareness. This form of loitering ties up the defenders and reduces both the tactical and technical aspects of the game.
Long Ball Tactics
The use of a goal-hanging striker, especially one of great physical presence, can negatively affect the attractiveness of a soccer match. Without the offside rule, the long ball tactic becomes a far more viable attacking option. A defender can play the ball forward toward a loitering striker, entirely bypassing his midfield teammates. Breaking down the opposing defense with attractive and technical passing play is no longer necessary if a target-man can continually receive a long, lofted ball from his defensive teammates. In the words of Jonathan Wilson, in an article for "The Guardian," the offside rule prevents "endless hoofs into the danger area where a goalkeeper would battle with a handful of forwards who could legitimately stand straight in front of him."
Defensive Expertise
The offside rule allows defenders to demonstrate greater technical ability and increased freedom of movement. The absence of the offside rule forces defenders to stay near their goal lines at all times, marking two or perhaps even three goal-hanging strikers. In this situation, a defender is unlikely to have the time or space to become an effective unit within his team's strategy or passing play, further decreasing the attractiveness of the game. Attacking fullbacks, or wingbacks, would also become less common, with exciting players such as Daniel Alvez and Ashley Cole being continually tied up with defensive duties.
Diverse Attacking Players
Without the offside rule, tall and powerful target-men become overly effective strikers, diminishing the need for more diversity in attack. Manchester United, for example, has had great success in the 2010/2011 English Premier League season with two diminutive strikers: Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez, also known as Chicharito. These two players are technically gifted, mobile and attractive to watch. Without the offside rule, their craft and inventiveness is, to a degree, negated. There is a risk that teams would rely too heavily upon towering center forwards, at the expense of great entertainers such as Rooney, Chicharito and Lionel Messi.
Member Comments