User:Grover cleveland/Offside Article

Before 1863 edit

Traditional games edit

A law similar to offside was used in the game of hurling to goals played in Cornwall in the early seventeenth century:[1]

[H]ee who hath the ball [...] must deale no Fore-ball, viz. he may not throw it to any of his mates, standing neerer the goale, then himselfe.

School and university football edit

Offside laws are found in the largely uncodified and informal football games found at English public schools in the early 19th century.

An 1832 article discussing the Eton wall game complained of "[t]he interminable multiplicity of rules about sneaking, picking up, throwing, rolling, in straight, with a vast number more",[2] using the term "sneaking" to refer to Eton's offside law.

The novel Tom Brown's School Days, published in 1857 but based on the author's experiences at Rugby School from 1834 to 1842, discussed that school's offside law:[3]

My sons! [...] you have gone past the ball, and must struggle now right through the scrummage, and get round and back again to your own side, before you can be of any further use

The first published set of laws of football (Rugby School, 1845), stated that "[a] player is off his side if the ball has touched one of his own side behind him, until the other side touch it." Such a player was prevented from kicking the ball, touching the ball down, or interfering with an opponent.[4] Many other school and university laws from this period were similar to Rugby School's in that they were "strict" -- i.e. any player ahead of the ball was in an off-side position. These included Shrewsbury School (1855),[5] Uppingham School (1857),[6] Trinity College, Hartford (1858),[7], Winchester College (1863),[8] and the Cambridge Rules of 1863.[9]

An exception to this was provided by the Eton games. In the 1847 laws of the Eton Field Game, as player could not be considered "sneaking" if there were four or more opponents between him and the opponents' goal line.[10] A similar "rule of four" was found in the 1856 Cambridge Rules[11] and the rules of Charterhouse School (1863).[12]

Club football edit

In contrast with the school and university games, surviving rules of independent football clubs from before 1860 tend to lack any offside law. This is true of the brief handwritten set of laws for the Foot-Ball Club of Edinburgh (1833),[13] the published laws of Surrey Football Club (1849),[14] the first set of laws of Sheffield Football Club (1858)[15] and those of Melbourne Football Club (1859).[16] In the early 1860s, this began to change. In 1861, Forest FC (who would later rename themselves Wanderers FC) adopted a set of laws based on the 1856 Cambridge Rules, with its "rule of four".[17] The 1862 laws of Barnes FC featured a strict offside law.[18] Sheffield FC also adopted a weak offside law at the beginning of the 1863-64 season.[19]

J. C. Thring edit

 
J. C. Thring, advocate for strict offside laws

The work of J. C. Thring was notable. A resident master at Uppingham School from 1859 to 1864, Thring was an impassioned advocate of the strictest possible offside law. He criticized most existing offside laws for being too lax: the Rugby laws, for example, were at fault because they permitted an offside player to rejoin play immediately after an opponent touched the ball,[20] while Eton's rule of four allowed "an immense amount of sneaking" when the number of players was unlimited.[21]

Thring expressed his views through correspondence in the sporting newspapers such as The Field, and through the publication in 1862 of a proposed set of laws known as The Simplest Game, including a strict offside law which required a player in an offside position ("out of play", in Thring's terminology) to "return behind the ball as soon as possible".[22] The influence of Thring's views is shown by the adoption of his proposed offside law in the first draft of the FA laws (see below).

The F. A. laws of 1863 edit

On 17 November 1863, the newly-formed Football Association adopted a resolution mirroring Thring's law from the Simplest Game:"[23]

A player is "out of play" immediately he is in front of the ball and must return behind the ball as soon as possible. If the ball is kicked by his own side past a player he may not touch or kick it, or advance until one of the other side has first kicked it or one of his own side on a level with or in front of him has been able to kick it.

This text was also reflected in the first draft of laws drawn up by FA secretary Ebenezer Morley, and presented by him to the FA meeting on the 24 November for final approval.[24] That meeting was, however, disrupted by a dispute over the subject of "hacking" (allowing players to carry the ball, provided they could be kicked in the shins by opponents when doing so, in the manner of Rugby School). The opponents of hacking brought the delegates' attention to the Cambridge Rules of 1863 (which banned carrying and hacking):[25] Discussion of the Cambridge rules, and suggestions for possible communication with Cambridge on the subject, served to delay the final "settlement" of the laws to a further meeting, on December 1st. A number of representatives who supported rugby-style football did not attend this additional meeting,[26] resulting in hacking and carrying being banned.[27]

Although the offside law was not itself a significant issue in the dispute between the pro- and anti-hacking clubs, it was completely rewritten. The original law, taken from Thring's Simplest Game, was replaced by a modified version of the equivalent law from the Cambridge Rules:[28]

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 the ball has been played; but no player is out of play when the ball is kicked from behind the goal line.

The law adopted by the FA was "strict" -- i.e., it penalized any player in front of the ball. There was one exception for the "kick from behind the goal line" (the 1863 laws' equivalent of a goal kick). This exception was necessary because every player would have otherwise been "out of play" from such a kick.

Subsequent developments: offside position edit

 
Historical development of the laws relating to offside position

Three-player rule (1866) edit

At the first revision of the FA laws, in February 1866, an important qualifier was added to soften the "strict" offside law:[29]

When a player has kicked the ball, any one of the same side who is nearer to the opponents' 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 the ball has been played, unless there are at least three of his opponents between him and their own goal; but no player is out of play when the ball is kicked from behind the goal line.

Contemporaneous reports do not indicate the reason for this change.[30] At the FA's meeting, the alteration "gave rise to a lengthy discussion, many thinking with Mr. Morley that it would be better to do away with the off side [law] altogether, especially as the Sheffield clubs had none. It being found, however, that the rule could not be expunged without notice, the alteration was passed."[31]

Charles Alcock, writing in 1890, suggested that this change was made in order to induce two public schools, Westminster and Charterhouse, to join the Association.[32][33] If this was indeed the motivation, it was not immediately successful: the two schools did not become members of the FA until 1867-1868.[34][35]

Early proposals for change (1867-1874) edit

Over the next seven years, there were almost constant attempts to change the three-player rule, but none were successful:

  • In 1867, Barnes FC proposed that the offside rule should be removed altogether, Morley arguing that "a player did not stop to count whether there were three of his opponents between him and their own goal".
  • It was also proposed that the FA should revert to its original "strict" offside rule. This change was introduced in 1868 (Branham College), 1871 ("The Oxford Association") and 1872 (Notts County).
  • There were attempts to introduce the one-player rule of the Sheffield Football Association in 1867 (Sheffield FC), 1872 (Sheffield Football Association), 1873 (Nottingham Forest), and 1874 (Sheffield Association).

Offside was the subject of the biggest dispute between the Sheffield Football Association (which produced its own "Sheffield Rules") and the Football Association. However, the two codes were eventually unified without any change in this area; the Sheffield Clubs accepted the FA's three-player offside rule in 1877, after the FA compromised by allowing the throw-in to be taken in any direction.

Offside in own half (1907) edit

The original laws allowed players to be be in an offside position even when in their own half. This happened rarely, but was possible when one team pressed high up the field, for example in a Sunderland v Wolverhampton Wanderers match in December 1901.[36][37] When an attacking team adopted the so-called "one back" game, in which only one defender and the goalkeeper remained in defensive positions, it was even possible for a player to be caught offside in his own penalty area.[38]

In May 1905, Clyde FC suggested that players should not be offside in their own half, but this suggestion was rejected by the Scottish Football Association.[39] It was objected that the change would lead to "forwards hanging about close to the half-way line, as opportunists".[36] After the Scotland v England international of April 1906 ended with the Scottish wingers being repeatedly caught offside by England's use of a "one back" game,[40][41][42] Clyde again proposed the same rule-change to the Scottish FA meeting: this time it was accepted.[43]

The Scottish proposal gained support in England.[44] At the 1906 meeting of the International Football Association Board, the Scottish FA announced that it would introduce the proposed change at the next annual meeting, in 1907.[45] In March 1907, the council of the [English] Football Association approved this change,[46] and it was passed by IFAB in June 1907.[47][48]

Two-player rule (1925) edit

The Scottish FA urged the change from a three-player to a two-player offside rule as early as 1893.[49] Such a change was first proposed at a meeting of IFAB in 1894, where it was rejected.[50] It was proposed again by the SFA in 1902, upon the urging of Celtic FC, and again rejected.[51][52][53] A further proposal from the SFA also failed in 1913, after the Football Association objected.[54][55][56] The SFA advanced the same proposal in 1914, when it was again rejected after opposition from both the Football Association and the Welsh Football Association.[57][58][59][60][61]

Meetings of the International Board were suspended after 1914 because of the First World War. After they resumed in 1920, the SFA once again proposed the 2-player rule in 1922, 1923, and 1924. In 1922 and 1923, the Scottish Association withdrew its proposal after English FA opposed it.[62][63] In 1924, the Scottish proposal was once again opposed by the English FA, and defeated;[64] it was, however, indicated that a version of the proposal would be adopted the next year.[65].

On 30 March 1925, the FA arranged a trial match at Highbury where two proposed changes to the offside rules were tested. During the first half, a player could not be offside unless within forty yards of the opponents' goal-line. In the second half, the two-player rule was used.[66]

The two-player proposal was considered by the FA at its annual meeting on the 8th of June. Proponents cited the new rule's potential to reduce stoppages, avoid refereeing errors, and improve the spectacle, while opponents complained that it would give "undue advantage to attackers"; referees were overwhelmingly opposed to the change. The two-player rule was nevertheless approved by the FA by a large majority.[67] At IFAB's meeting later that month, the two-player rule finally became part of the Laws of the Game.[68] The two-player rule was one of the more significant rule changes in the history of the game during the 20th century. It led to an immediate change in the style of play, with the game becoming more stretched, "short passing giv[ing] way to longer balls", and the development of the W-M formation.[69]

Attacker level with second-last defender (1990) edit

In 1990, IFAB altered the offside law so that an attacker who is level with the second-last defender would be considered onside, whereas previously such a player would have been considered offside. This change, proposed by the Scottish FA, was made in order to "encourage the attacking team" by "giving the attacking player an advantage over the defender.[70][71]

Parts of body (2005) edit

In 2005, IFAB clarified that, when evaluating an attacking player's position for the purposes of the offside law, the part of the player's head, body or feet closest to the defending team's goal-line should be considered: the hands and arms are excluded because "there is no advantage to be gained if only the arms are in advance of the opponent".[72] In 2016, it was further clarified that this principle applies to all players, both attackers and defenders, including the goalkeeper.[73]

Defender outside the field of play (2009) edit

In 2009, it was stated that a defender who leaves the field of play without the referee's permission must be considered to be on the nearest boundary line for the purposes of deciding whether an attacker is in an offside position.[74]

Halfway line (2016) edit

In 2016, it was clarified that a player on the halfway line itself cannot be in an offside position: part of the player's head, body or feet must be within the opponent's half of the field of play.[73]

Subsequent developments: exceptions at the restart of play edit

Goal kick edit

Since the first FA laws of 1863, a player has not been penalized for being in an offside position at the moment a teammate takes a goal kick.[75] (According to the "strict" offside law used in 1863, every player on the attacking side would automatically have been in an offside position from such a goalkick, since it had to be taken from the goal line).[76]

Throw-in edit

Under the original laws of 1863, it was not possible to be offside from a throw-in;[77] however, since the ball was required to be thrown in at right-angles to the touch-line, it would have been unusual for a player to gain significant advantage from being ahead of the ball.[78]

In 1877, the throw-in law was changed to allow the ball to be thrown in any direction.[79] The next year (1878) a new law was introduced to allow a player to be offside from a throw-in.[80]

This situation lasted until 1920, when the law was altered to prevent a player being offside from a throw-in.[81][82]

Corner kick edit

When first introduced in 1872, the corner kick was required to be taken from the corner-flag itself, which made it impossible for an attacking player to be in an offside position relative to the ball. Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). At the International Football Conference of December 1882, it was agreed that a player should not be offside from a corner-kick; this change was incorporated into the Laws of the Game in 1883.[83]

Free kick edit

The laws of football have always permitted an offside offence to be committed from a free kick. The free kick contrasts, in this respect, with other restarts of play such as the goal kick, corner kick, and throw-in.

An unsuccessful proposal to remove the possibility of being offside from a direct free-kick was made in 1929.[84] Similar proposals to prevent offside offences from any free-kick were advanced in 1974 and 1986, each time without success.[85][86] In 1987, the Football Association (FA) obtained the permission of IFAB to test such a rule in the 1987-88 GM Vauxhall Conference.[87][88] At the next annual meeting, the FA reported to IFAB that the experiment had, as predicted, "assisted further the non-offending team and also generated more action near goal, resulting in greater excitement for players and spectators"; it nevertheless withdrew the proposal.[89]

Subsequent developments: prohibited activity edit

The original law of 1863 stated that a player in an offside position might not "touch the ball himself nor in any way whatever prevent any other player from doing so".

In 1898, the prohibition was changed to "touch the ball himself, nor in any way whatever interfere with an opponent".[90] 1910, a writer complains that "referees give free kicks merely because a player is in an offside position".[91]

  • Brief discussion here.

Name edit

  • 1832 Eton "sneaking" [1863 Cheltenham]
  • 1845 Rugby School "off side"; "off his side" [1857 Uppingham] [1862 Blackheath] [1863 Charterhouse] [1867 Sheffield FA] [1938 IFAB]
  • 1856 Cambridge ["loiter"]
  • 1858 Harrow "behind"
  • 1861 Thring "out of play" [1862 Barnes] [1863 Cambridge, FA] [1867 Sheffield FA] [1857 used in Tom Brown's School-Days to mean "in touch"]

Notes edit

  1. ^ Carew, Richard (1769) [1602]. The Survey of Cornwall (new ed.). London: B. Law. p. 74.
  2. ^ "On Eton Games, Continued". Eton College Magazine (viii). Eton: T. Ingalton: 284. 1832-11-19.
  3. ^ "An Old Boy" [Thomas Hughes] (1857). Tom Brown's School Days. Cambridge: Macmillan. p. 117. [emphasis added]
  4. ^ Laws of Football as played at Rugby School (1845)  – via Wikisource.
  5. ^ Description of the Rules of Football as played at Shrewsbury School (1855)  – via Wikisource. No one might stand wilfully between the ball and his opponent's goal.
  6. ^ Rules for Football at Uppingham School (1857)  – via Wikisource. A player is off his side immediately he is in front of the ball, and must return behind the ball as soon as possible.
  7. ^ Rules of football, Trinity College, Hartford (1858)  – via Wikisource. Each side must keep on their own side of the ball.
  8. ^ Description of the Rules of Football as played at Winchester College (1863)  – via Wikisource. No player is allowed to be in advance of the ball, lying in wait for it.
  9. ^ Cambridge Rules (1863)  – via Wikisource. 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 whatsoever prevent any other player from doing so
  10. ^ Laws of the Eton Field Game (1847)  – via Wikisource. A player is considered to be sneaking when only three, or less than three, of the opposite side are before him and may not kick the ball.
  11. ^ Cambridge Rules (1856)  – via Wikisource. If the ball has passed a player, and has come from the direction of his own goal, he may not touch it till the other side have kicked it, unless there are more than three of the other side before him
  12. ^ Description of the Rules of Football as played at Charterhouse School (1863)  – via Wikisource. Any player is off his side, or behind, when only three or less than three of the opposite side are between himself and the opposite goal.
  13. ^ Rules of The Foot-Ball Club (1833)  – via Wikisource.
  14. ^ The Surrey Club  – via Wikisource.
  15. ^ Sheffield Rules (1858)  – via Wikisource.
  16. ^ Rules of Melbourne Football Club (1859)  – via Wikisource.
  17. ^ Witty, J. R. (1960), "Early Codes", in Fabian, A. H.; Green, Geoffrey (eds.), Association Football, vol. 1, London: Caxton Publishing Company, p. 144, Forest F. C. issued its printed rules in 1861 and adopted the Cambridge Rules in full with a few special additions. From the context, it is clear that "the Cambridge Rules" is intended to refer to the Cambridge Rules of 1856.
  18. ^ Rules of Barnes Football Club (1862)  – via Wikisource. A player is out of play when he gets between the ball and his adversaries' goal but he is in play again — first, as soon as he places himself between his own goal and the ball — second, one of his own side has kicked the ball between him and his adversaries' goal — or third, one of his adversaries has kicked or touched the ball.
  19. ^ In a letter to The Field in February 1867, Sheffield FC secretary Harry Chambers wrote that Sheffield FC had adopted a rule at the beginning of the 1863 season requiring one opponent to be level or closer to the opponent's goal. See Chambers, Harry W. (9 February 1867). "[Correspondence]". The Field. xxix (737): 104. This claim is confirmed by a letter from secretary William Chesterman to the FA in 1863: see "The Football Association [letter from W. Chesterman, Hon. Sec. of Sheffield Football Club]". Supplement to Bell's Life in London. 5 December 1863. p. 1. We have no printed rule at all like your No. 6 [the FA's draft offside law], but I have written in the book a rule which is always played by us.
  20. ^ J. C. T. (1862-03-15). "Football". The Field: 219. [A] player might at his own risk stand in advance of the ball, and even stand immediately behind it, if kicked in front of him, being in play as soon as it may have touched or been touched in any way by the opposite side. This certainly was the acknowledged practice of Rugby men formerly at Cambridge -- thus making forward and unfair play a display of daring, and a profitable one too, instead of a breach of law and sneaking. The [Rugby] off-side rule does not prevent it ...
  21. ^ "Football". Field: 19. 1862-02-22. I do doubt whether the rule that "a player is 'in play' if only there happen to be three of the opposite side between him and their goal" would be stringent enough for general adoption. Where members are unlimited, and the spirit of the game not formed, such a rule would allow of an immense amount of sneaking. A player might constantly be far in advance of the play, wait there unfairly, and carry the ball on, when kicked up to him; only taking care (according to the letter of the law) that there be the goal-keeper, the back player, and one other between himself and goal. I think that this would be a serious defect.
  22. ^ The Simplest Game  – via Wikisource. A player is 'out of play' immediately he is in front of the ball, and must return behind the ball as soon as possible. If the ball is kicked by his own side past a player, he may not touch or kick it, or advance, until one of the other side has first kicked it, or one of his own side, having followed it up, has been able, when in front of him, to kick it.
  23. ^ Laws of the Game (1863) (initial resolutions)  – via Wikisource.
  24. ^ Laws of the Game (1863) (draft)  – via Wikisource.
  25. ^ "The Football Association". Bell's Life in London. 1863-11-28. p. 6. Mr MORLEY, hon. secretary, said that he had endeavoured as faithfully as he could to draw up the laws according to the suggestions made, but he wished to call the attention of the meeting to other matters that had taken place. The Cambridge University Football Club, probably stimulated by the Football Association, had formed some laws in which gentlemen of note from six of the public schools had taken part. Those rules, so approved, were entitled to the greatest consideration and respect at the hands of the association, and they ought not to pass them over without giving them all the weight that the feeling of six of the public schools entitled them to.
  26. ^ Harvey (2005), pp. 144-145
  27. ^ "The Football Association". Supplement to Bell's Life in London. 1863-12-05. p. 1.
  28. ^ "The Football Association". Supplement to Bell's Life in London. 1863-12-05. p. 1. The PRESIDENT called Mr Campbell's attention to the fact that, so far from ignoring the Cambridge rules, they had adopted their No. 6
  29. ^ Laws of the Game (1866)  – via Wikisource.
  30. ^ For example, "Football Association -- Annual Meeting". The Sporting Life (722): 1. 1866-02-07.
  31. ^ "The Football Association". Bell's Life in London (2288): 7. 1866-02-24.
  32. ^ Alcock, C. W (1906) [1890]. Football: The Association Game. London: George Bell & Sons. pp. 13–14. At the same time, with a view apparently to secure the co-operation of Westminster and Charterhouse, the strict off-side rule which had been in force was modified to ensure uniformity in this essential principle of the game. The adoption of the rule which had prevailed at these two schools, which kept a player on side as long as there were three of the opposite side between him and the enemy's goal, removed, in fact, the one remaining bar to the establishment of one universal code, for Association players in the south at least.
  33. ^ According to Brown, Tony (2011). The Football Association 1863-1883: A Source Book. Nottingham: Soccerdata. p. 29. ISBN 9781905891528., Alcock made a similar claim in Football Annual, 1870, p. 38
  34. ^ Graham, R. G. (1899). "The Early History of the Football Association". The Badminton Magazine of Sports and Pastimes. viii. London: Longmans, Green, & Co.: 81-82.
  35. ^ Tod, A. H. (1900). Charterhouse. London: George Bell and Sons. p. 156.
  36. ^ a b Pickford, W. (1905-11-20). "Hints to Referees". Athletic News: 4.
  37. ^ "Sunderland Outplayed". Athletic News: 5. 1901-12-30. [M]ost of the play was confined to the Sunderland quarters, and we had the spectacle of one of their forwards being given off-side in his own half
  38. ^ Pickford, W. (1905-12-11). "Hints to Referees". Athletic News: 4.
  39. ^ "[no title]". Athletic News: 1. 1905-05-08. {{cite journal}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  40. ^ Wilson (2013), p. 37
  41. ^ "Scotland v. England". Lancashire Daily Post: 3. 1906-04-07.
  42. ^ "Football: the S.F.A. Meeting". Edinburgh Evening News: 4. 1906-05-04.
  43. ^ "Scottish Association Annual Meeting". Edinburgh Evening News: 7. 1906-05-02.
  44. ^ "English Athletic News". Edinburgh Evening News: 4. 1906-05-10.
  45. ^ "Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1906" (PDF). p. 2. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  46. ^ "Football: Next Season's F.A. Cup". Manchester Courier: 11. 1907-03-26.
  47. ^ "Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1907" (PDF). p. 2. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  48. ^ Laws of the Game (1907)  – via Wikisource. A player is not out of play when the ball is kicked off from goal, when a corner-kick is taken, when the ball has been last played by an opponent, or when he himself is within his own half of the field of play at the moment the ball is played or thrown in from touch by any player of the same side [emphasis added]
  49. ^ "Proposed Alterations of Rules". Scottish Referee: 2. 1893-04-14.
  50. ^ "Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1894" (PDF). p. 3. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
  51. ^ "En Passant". Athletic News: 1. 1902-03-17.
  52. ^ "Football Comments". Evening Post. Dundee: 5. 1902-03-27.
  53. ^ "Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1902" (PDF). p. 4. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
  54. ^ Pickford, W. (1913-03-03). "Offside Again". Athletic News: 4.
  55. ^ "Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1913" (PDF). pp. 2–3. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
  56. ^ "Altering the Off-Side Law". Sports Argus. Birmingham: 1. 1914-02-21.
  57. ^ "The Off-Side Rule". Evening Telegraph and Post. Dundee: 5. 1914-04-01.
  58. ^ "Off-Side Rule Discussion". Huddersfield Daily Examiner: 3. 1914-05-27.
  59. ^ "The Off-Side Rule". Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury. Dundee: 5. 1914-04-01.
  60. ^ "Football Government and Finance". Huddersfield Daily Examiner: 4. 1914-05-28.
  61. ^ "Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1914" (PDF). p. 2. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
  62. ^ "Football: Meeting of International Board". Yorkshire Post: 4. 1922-06-12.
  63. ^ "Penalty Kicks: A Practice that Must be Discontinued". Athletic News: 6. 1924-06-04.
  64. ^ "Offside Rule in Football: English F.A. Against Alteration". Courier. Dundee: 6. 1924-06-03.
  65. ^ "En Passant". Athletic News: 1. 1924-06-23. Even more gratifying to the Scottish delegates was the understanding, which it is said was arrived at, that next year their offside rule proposal would be adopted after some adjustment
  66. ^ "Off-Side Experiments". Leeds Mercury: 8. 1925-03-31.
  67. ^ "The Offside Rule: Proposed Change Favoured". Mercury. Lichfield: 7. 1925-06-12.
  68. ^ "Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1925" (PDF). p. 4. Retrieved 2020-07-23. When a player plays the ball, any player of the same side who at such moment of playing is nearer to his opponents' goal-line is out of play, and may not touch the ball himself, nor in any way whatever interfere with an opponent, or with the play, until the ball has been again played, unless there are at such moment of playing at least two [previously three] of his opponents nearer their own goal-line
  69. ^ Wilson (2013), p. 20
  70. ^ "Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1990" (PDF). p. 16. Retrieved 2020-07-25. A player is in an off-side position if he is nearer his opponents' goal-line than the ball, unless ... [h]e is not nearer to his opponents' goal-line than at least two of his opponents [previously: unless there are at least two of his opponents nearer their own goal-line than he is]
  71. ^ "Offside Rule Changed". Guardian. London: 23. 1990-06-29.
  72. ^ Urs Linsi. "Amendments to the Laws of the Game -- 2005" (PDF). p. 3. Retrieved 2020-07-29.
  73. ^ a b "Laws of the Game 2016/17" (PDF). p. 138. Retrieved 2020-07-29.
  74. ^ Jerôme Valcke. "Amendments to the Laws of the Game -- 2009" (PDF). p. 2. Retrieved 2020-07-29.
  75. ^ Laws of the Game (1863)  – via Wikisource. but no player is out of play when the ball is kicked from behind the goal line
  76. ^ Laws of the Game (1863)  – via Wikisource. In case the ball goes behind the goal line, if a player on the side to whom the goal belongs first touches the ball, one of his side shall be entitled to a free kick from the goal line at the point opposite the place where the ball shall be touched
  77. ^ Laws of the Game (1863)  – via Wikisource. 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
  78. ^ Laws of the Game (1863)  – via Wikisource. When the ball is in touch the first player who touches it shall throw it from the point on the boundary line where it left the ground, in a direction at right angles with the boundary line
  79. ^ Laws of the Game (1877)  – via Wikisource. When the ball is in touch a player of the opposite side to that which kicked it out shall throw it from the point on the boundary line where it left the ground in any direction the thrower may choose
  80. ^ Laws of the Game (1878)  – via Wikisource. When a player kicks the ball, or it is thrown in from touch, any one of the same side who at such moment of kicking or throwing is nearer to the opponents' goal-line, is out of play
  81. ^ "International Football Association Board: 1920 Minutes of the Annual General Meeting" (PDF). p. 4. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
  82. ^ "Off Side Law Unaltered". Lincolnshire Echo (8827): 2. 1920-06-14.
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  84. ^ "Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1929" (PDF). p. 2. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
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  86. ^ "Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1986" (PDF). pp. 4-5 [pp. 7-8 of the PDF]. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  87. ^ "Approved Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1987" (PDF). p. 32 [p. 34 of the PDF]. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  88. ^ "FA told to bring back red cards". The Guardian: 28. 1987-06-15.
  89. ^ "Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1988" (PDF). pp. 12–13. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  90. ^ Laws of the Game (1898)  – via Wikisource.
  91. ^ "Ladies' Golf Union -- Referees and Football". Truth. lxviii (1774). London: 1635. 1910-12-28.

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