User:Grover cleveland/Offside

Diagrams

 * 1895 "Referees' Association Handbook" (Pickford) https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/18951209/008/0001


 * 1897: Pickford is the author of the Referees' Chart: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002825/18970112/053/0004
 * 1898: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000902/18981203/004/0002 and https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000902/18981224/030/0002


 * 1898: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000951/18981029/081/0003


 * 1900: Referees' Chart (produced from 1895 - 1900 by the Referees' Association) would in future be produced by the FA. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000893/19000915/128/0007


 * 1901: Pickford remarks on the new chart issued by the FA: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19010909/094/0006 Mentions "the issue [by the FA] some fifteen years ago of a few explanatory remarks on the offside law, and these were withdrawn after having been a few years in existence".  This seems to mark the beginning of Pickford's regular "Hints to Referees" column (see e.g. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19011014/057/0004 )


 * 1901: Last kicked by an opponent: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19011104/092/0005


 * 1901 Addresses correspondent's suggestions: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19011223/120/0005


 * 1902-01 Good summary of being played onside: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19020127/032/0002


 * 1902-01 Obstructing the view and dummying are both inteference: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19020203/097/0005


 * 1902-02-24: Save by keeper plays attacker onside: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19020224/047/0002


 * 1910 last Pickford column? https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19100321/092/0004


 * 1910: (presumably one at a time?): https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001530/19101203/122/0008
 * 1921-22: https://hdl.handle.net/2027/umn.31951000854748n?urlappend=%3Bseq=168
 * 1936: (one at a time: example): https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002286/19360918/140/0018 https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002286/19361106/300/0022
 * 1975: https://archive.org/details/refereeschartpla1975foot/page/52/mode/2up
 * 1978 (presumably): https://archive.org/details/kylerotejrscompl00rote/page/n295/mode/2up


 * 1988 (presumably): https://archive.org/details/youthleaguesocce00socc/page/146/mode/2up

My own suggested list of cases

 * Player X has only one opponent between self and goal-line but is in own half. Teammate X passes him the ball from behind.  Not offside.


 * Player X has two opponents between self and goal-line. Teammate X passes him the ball from behind.  Not offside.


 * Please X has no opponents between self and goalline. Teammate X passes him the ball from a position forward of A.  Not offside.


 * X Receives ball direct from goalkick. Not offside. Would be if open play or free kick.


 * X Receives ball direct from throwin. Not offside.  Would be if open play or free kick.


 * X Receives ball direct from corner. Not offside.  Would be if open play or free kick.


 * Player X in offside position at moment teammate A touches ball (T1) but A dribbles ball past X so X no longer in offside position, then passes it back to him. (T2).  No offence unless X touched ball or interfered with opponent during interval T1-T2.


 * Player X in offside position at moment teammate A touches ball, (T1) but A passes to another teammate B who runs forward and he is no longer in offside position (T2). B then passes the ball back to X, who scores. No offence unless X ouched ball or interfered with opponent during interval T1-T2.
 * Player X in offside position at moment teammate A touches ball, (T1) but miskicks ball to opponent H who deliberately touches (not saves) the ball (T2). X then intercepts the ball and scores. No offence unless X touched ball or interfered with opponent during interval T1-T2.


 * Player X in offside position at moment teammate A shoots at goal and opponent H saves the ball (T2). X then scores from the rebound.  Offside because H's touch was a "save".


 * Player X in offside position at moment teammate A shoots at goal. Shot deflects off opponent H.  X then scores from the deflection.  Offside because H's touch was a deflection.


 * Player X in offside position at moment teammate A shoots at goal. X does not touch ball, but obstructs keeper's view and prevents keeper from saving.  Offside because X interfered with an opponent.


 * Player X in offside position at moment teammate A kicks ball forward. Opponent H attempts to play the ball, but is unable to do so because X challenges H.  Offside because X interfered with an opponent.
 * Player X in offside position at moment teammate A kicks ball forward. X does not touch ball, and is not within playing distance of ball or of an opponent, but runs towards the ball in a manner that causes opponent to rush his shot and miskick the ball.  No offence.


 * Player X in offside position at moment teammate A kicks ball forward. X does not touch ball, and is not within playing distance of ball or of an opponent, but an opposing defender, concerned that X may be in a goalscoring position, attempts to intercept the pass and accidentally scores an own goal.  No offence.

Interesting sources

 * http://www.kenaston.org/download/KenAstonRefereeSociety/offside_history-JulianCarosi.pdf


 * https://slideplayer.com/slide/5987810/


 * Offside probably had its origin in Eton's "sneaking" law ("Ward's Soccerpedia (2006)")

History of offside laws

 * Richard Carew, Suruey of Cornwall [1602](new ed., 1769), p. 74 https://archive.org/details/surveycornwalla00caregoog/page/n180/mode/2up


 * [Description of "Hurling to Goales"]: "he 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".
 * 1832 Eton (Wall Game I think): "The interminable multiplicity of rules about sneaking, picking up, throwing, rolling, in straight". https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015062248128?urlappend=%3Bseq=296


 * 1833 Foot-Ball Club: none
 * 1830s Tom Brown's School-Days: strict
 * the mysteries of "off your side" (p. 109)
 * The shouts of "off your side" (p. 115)
 * My sons! You have gone past the ball ... and must get round and back again to your own side ... before you are of any use again (p.  117)
 * 1841-2 ("Origin of Rugby Football" p. 12) strict
 * "'Running in' was made lawful with these limitations ... (2) that the catcher was not "off his side" ... Picking up off the ground was made absolutely illegal, as were running in from off your side -- a ball caught by a player "off his side" must be at once knocked on or the holder might be mauled
 * 1845 Rugby School: strict
 * "A player is off his side if the ball has touched one of his own side behind him, until the other side touch it."
 * No player being off his side shall kick the ball in any case whatever.
 * No player being off his side shall hack, charge, run in, touch the ball in goal, or interrupt a catch.
 * A player when off his side having a fair catch is entitled to a fair knock on, and in no other case.
 * A player being off his side shall not touch the ball on the ground, except in touch.
 * A player being off his side cannot put on his side himself, or any other player, by knocking or throwing on the ball.
 * A player touching the ball off his side must throw it straight out.
 * 1846 Rugby School:
 * Def: "until the other party kick it"
 * More concise list of disabilities: "A player being off his side is to consider himself as out of the game, and is not to touch the ball in any case whatever (either in or out of touch): or in any way to interrupt the play, and is of course incapable of holding the ball"."
 * 1847 Rugby School:
 * Def: "if the ball has been kicked or thrown on by one of his own side behind him, until the other party kick it, throw it on, or run it".
 * 1851 Rugby School:
 * Add "On Side. — A Player is on his side when the ball has been kicked, thrown, or knocked on, or run with (5 yards) or when it has rebounded from the body of any player on the opposite side."
 * 1859 Rugby School:
 * Add "A player entering a scrummage on the wrong side, is off his side. ... A player is off his side when a player on his own side has kicked the ball from behind him, and then run before him."
 * 1847 Eton Field Game: 4
 * 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.
 * "No player may run behind the goal sticks before the ball be kicked behind, either to prevent or obtain a rouge."
 * "No player, if behind, before the ball, may pick it up, or carry it to one of his own side to touch, but must leave it where it stopped."
 * 1849 Surrey FC: none
 * 1849-1856 Westminster School (Description): strict
 * "No off-side play was allowed" (presumably strict)
 * Did not apply in certain restarts of play (throw-in / kick-off??)
 * 1855 Shrewsbury School (Description) strict
 * No one might stand wilfully between the ball and his opponent's goal.
 * 1856 Cambridge: 4
 * 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. No player is allowed to loiter between the ball and the adversaries' goal.
 * 1857 Uppingham: strict
 * Off-side. — A player is off his side 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 when off-side, he may not touch or kick it or advance, until one of the other side has kicked it again when in front of him.
 * If any player kicks off-side, the opposite side may claim a fair kick from the place where it was kicked off-side.
 * 1858 Harrow: strict, but only if the kick forward bypasses an opponent
 * If when the Ball is kicked, from Hand or otherwise, any one on the same side, but nearer the opposite Base, touches or kicks the Ball, he is said to be Behind, only if one of the opposite Side be between him and the party who kicked the Ball. Any one who is thus Behind is considered as being virtually out of the Game, and must wait till the ball has been touched by one of the opposite side: nor must he interfere with any one of the opposite Side, or in any way prevent or obstruct his catching the Ball.
 * 1858 Trinity College, Hartford: strict
 * Each side must keep on their own side of the ball.
 * 1858 Sheffield FC: none
 * 1859 Melbourne FC: none
 * 1861 Forest FC: 4???
 * Reported that Cambridge 1856 rules were used with a small number of amendments. If true, this would be the first known instance of a non-school/university rules including an offside law.
 * 1862 The Simplest Game: strict
 * 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.
 * No charging allowed when a player is out of play; that is, immediately the ball is behind him.
 * 1862 Blackheath FC strict
 * No player is to get before the ball on the side furthest from his own goal; but if he does he must not touch the ball as it passes him until touched by one of the opposite side, he being off-side.
 * 1862 Barnes FC strict
 * No player shall kick or touch the ball when he is out of play. 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.
 * Players shall not loiter between the ball and their adversaries' goal. [language from Cambridge 1856, perhaps via Forest??]
 * 1862 Eton-Harrow 4
 * [like Eton]: When there are three or less than three of the opposite side between any player and his opponents' base, and the Ball is kicked to him from the direction of his own base, he shall be considered sneaking or behind, and is out of play, until another has touched the ball.
 * 1863 Charterhouse (description): 4
 * 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. Any player off his side is not to stop or kick the ball until it has been kicked or otherwise moved by one of the opposite side. This does not include the case of a player who is fairly following up the ball
 * 1863 Cheltenham (description): ???
 * "When anyone is found sneaking in his opponents' goal, he must either not touch the ball, or, if he touches it, go out of the game."
 * 1863 Winchester (description): strict
 * No player is allowed to be in advance of the ball, lying in wait for it. If chance places him in such a position, he must not kick it or prevent the opposing players from doing so. There is an exception to this rule, which is, in the case of a kick-off after goal, when the players on the side taking the kick are allowed to be in advance to prevent their adversaries from scoring another goal by returning it at once.
 * 1863 (beginning of season) Sheffield FC (reported later): 1 or level
 * one opponent to be level or closer to the opponent's goal
 * 1863 October Cambridge Rules strict
 * 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.
 * 1863 November 1st draft FA laws: strict
 * as Simplest Game: "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'
 * 1863 December final edition FA laws: strict
 * as Cambridge 1863, plus exception for goal-kick.
 * 1866 FA 3
 * Alcock claims, first that this was the rule in operation at Winchster and Charterhouse, and secondly that it was done "to secure the co-operation" of the two schools. Dubious imo.  Note also the Morley wanted to abandon offside altogether "since the Sheffield club had none" (not true either).

Field (etc.) Debate

 * 1861 Thring: "Football, Simple and Universal"
 * [t]he very first principles of football, which are simply these: First, to keep the ball as much as possible on the ground; secondly, that the players should be always behind the ball
 * The second [principle] is in play violated by allowing players to remain in advance of the ball, stop, so as to prevent the opposite side from playing it, and to be "in play" as soon as it has in any way touched one of the opponents
 * The great rule of the game is "the offside", "out of play", "anti-sneaking" rule, or whatever name you like to give it, whereby all undue advantage of a forward position may be done away with until the player becomes on a line again with the game.
 * A player is placed hors de combat in two ways: first, when the ball is kicked from before past him; secondly, when from a sudden reflux of the game he becomes far in advance of the ball, and it is again kicked in front of him. In the first case he must go back to the ball, and is "in play" as soon as he reaches it; in the second he must wait until the opposite side has had a fair opportunity to play the ball as he thinks best.
 * 1862-01-25 "D.D." (Etonian)
 * Strict rules ought to be made to prevent any player from sneaking. Where sneaking is allowed there is no certainty that the stronger side will win; and goals are always imperilled by some player, who, by standing off his side and taking little part in the game, is always ready to make a rush with the ball when it is brought near the enemy's goal.
 * the rule [at Eton] that a player who is not fairly following up the ball shall be considered out of the game unless there are at least three of the opposite side between himself and the opposite goal, is one calculated not only to prevent all sneaking, but also to teach every player to follow up the ball and to back up his own side.
 * 1862-02-22 "J.C.T[hring]" (response to D.D.)
 * 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.  I believe it must be insisted that ever player, as soon as he finds himself in advance, should keep moving backwards; and that, if the ball is suddenly returned in front of him, he should give the other side the first chance of freely playing the ball before he advances.
 * 1862-03-15 Thring again
 * Criticizes the ability of a player under Rugby rules to be "on side" once an opponent has touched it.
 * 1862-04-12 Thring again
 * Ditto
 * 1863-01-03 Thring again: "A Plea for Football"
 * "good off side law"
 * 1863-12-19 Thring
 * more explanation of his offside law: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002523/18631219/037/0006


 * 1864-01-02 (Sporting Gazette)


 * Debate between Thring and "Lover of Football": https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0002523/18640102/036/0007?browse=true

Names

 * Sneaking (Eton, 1832 [unofficial], Field Game, 1847; Cheltenham College 1863; Eton Wall Game 1874)
 * Off his side (Rugby School 1845; Charterhouse School 1863)
 * Off side (Rugby School 1845 -- title only; Uppingham 1857; Blackheath 1862; Sheffield FA 1867; Rugby School main text 1871; Rugby Football Union 1871; Marlborough College 1874; Inter-Collegiate Football Rules 1876; FA Laws of the Game (footnote) 1924; FA Laws of the Game (main text) 1938)
 * Loiter [not exactly] (Cambridge 1856; Barnes 1862)
 * Behind (Harrow School 1858; Charterhouse School 1863)
 * Out of play (Thring 1861 [unofficial]; Simplest Game 1862; Barnes 1862; Cambridge 1863; FA Laws of the Game 1863; Sheffield FA 1867)


 * In goal (Shrewsbury School 1874)

Comparison of the rules (Sporting Gazette)

 * https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002523/18631128/028/0004

1863
Originally Thring's strict law from The Simplest Game was adopted; this was replaced by the equivalent strict law from the 1863 Cambridge Rules (possibly as part of the politicking over banning "hacking" (with an exception for the goal-kick).  There doesn't seem to be that much difference between them in practice, except that Theinf requires an offside player to inmediately return behind the ball".

Note that the goalkick exception is also found in Winchester.

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.

1863-1866

 * Controversy in CCC v Blackheath (1865-01-21)
 * https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000355/18650121/062/0009

1866
Added qualifier: "unless there are at least three of his opponents between him and their own goal".

As with all changes made in 1866, it's not clear where it originated from. From the meeting reports: "This gave rise to a lengthy discussion, many thinking with Mr. Morley that it would be better to do away with the off side [sic] altogether, especially as the Sheffield clubs had none [sic]. It being found, however, that the rule could not be expunged without notice, the alteration was passed."

From C. W. Alcock (prob. 1890 --- it's published as early as 1892) (note: Alcock's brother J F Alcock was on the FA committee from 1864: C. W. Alcock was elected to the committee in 1866 -- but note the "apparently"):

"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."

History of Westminster School (1898) (perhaps copying Alcock, but note error of 1867 instead of 1866): "The football of Westminster and Charterhouse was the mother of the present Association game. In other schools, where handling the ball was forbidden, the rule of off side was the same as in the Rugby game. Though combination was thus impossible, the rule was generally adopted. Happily for the interests of the game Westminster and Charterhouse held out, and in 1867 [sic] their influence prevailed. They were able to force their rule upon the Association, and the modern game may be said to date from that year."

Note, however, that the Charterhouse rule from 1863 is explicitly quoted and requires four opponents rather than three: "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".

Both Westminster and Charterhouse are absent from list of members "at start of the 1866-67 season" but present as of 1 Jan 1868, listed in Graham "Early History of the Football Association" (though this is also true of many other clubs: Amateur Athletic, Branham College, Brixton,  CCC, Clifden House, Cowley School, Donnington GS, Forest school, Hitchin, Holt, Hull College, Leamington College, London AFC, Milford College, Reigate, Totteridge Park, Upton Park, West Brompton).

Graham states that Westminster and Charterhouse joined as the result of his letter-writing campaign as secretary (which he became only after the Feb 1867 meeting). Charterhouse joined the FA in 1868 (??): https://archive.org/details/cu31924031242559/page/n171/mode/2up/search/%22westminster+and+charterhouse%22?q=%22westminster+and+charterhouse%22

1867

 * Sheffield proposed its own one-player law.
 * Barnes FC proposed to abolish offside altogether (see Morley 1866)
 * "A player did not stop to count whether there were three of his opponents between him and their own goal"

Both changes rejected ("negatived") (not clear why).

1868

 * Branham College proposed reverting to the strict 1863 offside rule

Proposal "was negatived after a short discussion:


 * Mr Graham said he had been in favour of this alteration last year, but after his experience of the past season he had changed his mind as to the desirability of the proposed change.
 * Mr [CW] Alcock agreed with [Graham] that the [proposed] alteration would tend to induce "sneaking" on the part of some players, and make the game slower than under existing rules
 * The Chairman [Morley] was of opinion that it would have the effect of preventing disputes which otherwise would often arise [??? he was for abolishing offside altogether in 1866 and 1867].

1871
It "met with little favour, being supported chiefly by Capt. Marindin, of the Royal Engineers, C. W. Alcock, of the Wanderers, and R. H. Birkett, of the Clapham Rovers, and was negatived by a large majority". [Note CW Alcock was against this in 1868]
 * "The Oxford Association" proposed "the strict offside rule"

1872

 * Sheffield Association proposed its own one-player rule
 * Nottingham [Notts County] FC proposes a strict rule

Neither change adopted.

1873

 * Uxbridge proposed minor clarifications: "at that moment of kicking" and "goal-line" rather than "goal".


 * Notts Forest proposed the Sheffield rule

"The old question of off-side then turned up and Mr. W. H. Revis (Notts Forest) spoke on behalf of the proposal of that club, to insert a rule same as in force in Sheffield, which only places a player "off-side" when he is between the goal-keeper of the enemy and the enemy's goal, but the voice of the meeting was entirely against him, and the amendment of the Uxbridge Club was carried ..."

1874

 * Sheffield Association proposes its own rule yet again (failed).


 * Five clubs (Marlborough, Pilgrims, and Maidenhead, Royal Engineers, and Harrow Chequers) all propose awarding a free kick for offside. The last proposal is adopted.

1877
No proposal of change in FA rules, but Sheffield Association adopts the FA offside rule (and all its laws) as part of the Clydesdale compromise (throw-in may go in any direction).

1878
Players may be offside from a throw-in (after throw-in allowed to go in any direction in 1877).

1882
Clarified that offside does not apply when the ball has been last played by an opponent.

1883
No offside from a corner-kick (this seems to come from the International Conference, though it's not completely clear).

"The offside rule continues to be the bugbear of Scottish clubs": https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/18831010/004/0001

1894
SFA proposes a rule of 2 rather than 3. Rejected.

1895
Pointless (imo) proposal from the FA to clarify that the goal-kick exception only applies to a goal-kick by the player's own side (pointless because there is already an exception for the ball played by an opponent). Rejected.

Minor changes of wording ("plays" vs. "kicks") approved.

1897
Insignificant changes of wording.

1898

 * Off-side Illustrated Diagrams No 12 (1898-12-26).png


 * Off-side Illustrated Diagrams No 8 (1898-12-03).png

" prevent any opponent from so doing [playing the ball]" -> "interfere with an opponent"

FIRST glimpse of the notorious "diagrams", supposedly reproduced from "The Football Association Handbook" of that year.

Presumably this? The Association Football Handbook, 1894-5, 1895-6. Edited by N. L. Jackson. London, [1894, 95]


 * Image

See also https://archive.org/details/sportingandathl00browgoog/page/n11/mode/2up/search/handbook https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000902/18981224/030/0002
 * image
 * First diagrams: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000902/18981203/004/0002
 * Second diagrams: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000902/18981224/030/0002

1902
SFA again proposed a 2-player rule. Again rejected.

1903
"Interfere with an opponent or with the play"

1906
SFA announce they will bring in an exception for own half next year.

1907
Exception for player in own half at moment ball is played (introduced by SFA).

Discussion: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19051211/051/0004 Scotland v England game: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000711/19060407/066/0003

1913
SFA proposed 2 player rule again. Denied.

1914
SFA proposed 2 player rule again. Denied.

1920
SFA proposes no offside more than 25 yards from opponents' goal-line (with a 25-yard line added to the field of play). Denied.

FA amended SFA proposal to 40 yards. Also lost. (presumably FAW and IFA must have voted it down).

FA proposed no offside from throw-in. Adopted unanimously.

1921
SFA tries 40 yards proposal again. Again rejected.

1922
SFA tries 40 yards AND 2 player proposal again. Rejected.

1923
SFA tries 40 yards and two player proposal again. Rejected.

FA tries 40 yards. Rejected.

1924
SFA again tries 40 yards and two players. Rejected, but the following proposal was adopted:

"The Board recommends the Associations of the United Kingdom, and La Fédération Internationale de Football Association, to consider the desirability of giving a trial in Season 1925-26 to the Proposals of the Scottish F.A. to alter Laws 1 and 6."

FA adds footnote: "It is not a breach of the Law for a player to be in an off-side position, but only when in that position he interferes with an opponent, or with the play. If a player who is in an offside position advances towards an opponent, or the ball, and in doing so causes the play to be affected, he should be penalized." This change was "apparently intended for a few referees who prefer the letter to the spirit and insist on stopping the game for offside whether the player is interfering with the play or not". https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002947/19240401/157/0008

1925
SFA does its proposals again. The two-player rule is adopted; the 40-yard proposal is withdrawn.

The IFA objects to the previous meeting's minutes, and seems to have been the main opponent of this change.

Note that with the rejoining of FIFA in 1924, the IFA alone no longer had power to block the change. Under the old non-FIFA rules (in place before 1913, and between 1920 and 1923, 100% consensus was required.

1929
FA proposes no offside from a direct free-kick. Rejected.

1936
Diagram 10: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002286/19361106/300/0022

1937
For comparison with 1938:

6. 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 of his opponents nearer their own goal-line. A player is not out of play when the ball is kicked off from goal, when a corner-kick, or a throw-in 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 by any player of the same side.

DOIB:  Decision of the International Board:— It is not a breach of the Law for a player to be in an off-side position, but only when in that position he interferes with an opponent, or with the play. If a player who is in an offside position advances towards an opponent, or the ball, and in doing so causes the play to be affected, he should be penalized.

1938
Offside law rewritten along with all other laws. Changes:


 * Uses the phrase "off-side" instead is "out of play"
 * Explicit exception for dropped ball
 * removes "If a player who is in an offside position advances towards an opponent, or the ball, and in doing so causes the play to be affected, he should be penalized."
 * Adds "is seeking to gain an advantage by being in an offside position".

A player is off-side if he is nearer his opponents' goal-line than the ball at the moment the ball is played, unless:—

(a) He is in his own half of the field of play.

(b) There are two of his opponents nearer to their own goal-line than he is.

(c) The ball was last played by an opponent.

(d) He receives the ball direct from a goal-kick, a corner-kick, a throw-in, or the ball being dropped by the referee.

PUNISHMENT

For an infringement of this law an indirect free-kick shall be taken by a player of the opposing team from the place where the infringement occurred.

A player in an offside position shall not be penalised unless, in the opinion of the referee, he is interfering with the play or with an opponent, or is seeking to gain an advantage by being in an offside position.

[NOTE: This lacks an exception for the player himself playing the ball (would be remedied in 1939)]. The old law was much better imo.

1939
(c) The ball last touched an opponent or was last played by him [i.e. the player himself].

Note: this removes the mistaken omission of the player himself from the 1938 rewrite. The use of "touched" rather than "played" now unequivocally includes deflections, etc. (this looks stronger than the pre-1938 law, but in practice it was interpreted that way anyway).

1962
https://books.google.com/books?id=CiEGAAAAMAAJ&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=glances

1968
At some point before 1968, the following DOIB is added:

Hathi trust suggests it's there by 1963.
 * Off-side shall not be judged at the moment the player in question receives the ball, but at the moment when the ball is passed to him by one of his own side. A player who is not in an off-side position when one of his colleagues passes the ball to him or takes a free-kick, does not therefore become off-side if he goes forward during the flight of the ball.

Date is 1956, according to USSF Slideplayer presentation.

1971
The Football Association requested permission for matches in the Watney Man Cup to be played with a variation in the offside law so that no player could be in an offside position except within the Penalty Area.

"Crackdown" memo by Football League ( https://archive.org/details/innergameofsocce00sell/page/134/mode/2up/search/%22had+two+opponents+between+him%22?q=%22had+two+opponents+between+him%22 ) :

"Having decided that a player is, in fact, offside, the referee should blow his whistle immediately and not await the result of the pass. If, however, the ball touches, or is played by an opponent, whilst he is going to blow his whistle (but has not already done so) he should not blow it (The action of the ball touching or being played by an opposing player brings into effect the 'unless' clause, and referees are not entitled to ignore it)."

1972

 * Scotland experiments: offside only within 18 yards from goal-line


 * FA experiment: no offside


 * FA experiment: no offside outside penalty area


 * IFA experiment: no offside

1973

 * Scotland: 18 yard experiment

1974

 * FIFA proposes no offside from free-kick. Withdrawn.


 * Scotland asks to try a 25-yard experiment. Refused.  Instead, uses the 18-yard line in the Scottish league cup and Drybrough Cup.

1974
"Diagrams illustrating points in connection with off-side" present in LOTG (https://archive.org/details/basicsoccerguide0000moff/page/126/mode/2up/search/%22had+two+opponents+between+him%22?q=%22had+two+opponents+between+him%22). Not clear when they were first added.

Note in particular diagram 10, showing that a player is played onside when the ball "glances off" the foot of a defender who is trying to make an interception.

Diagram 10. NOT OFF-SIDE. Ball touching an opponent. A shoots at goal. D[efender] runs from position 1 to position 2 to intercept the ball, but it glances off his foot to B, who scores. B is not off-side because, although he is in front of the ball and has not two opponents between him and the goal-line the ball was last played by an opponent, D. Found as early as 1921(!!) though not in an official context. Continued, bizarrely, from this.

Relevant diagrams here are 10 (save) and 14 (deflection).

FAW proposes a change to make clear that a deflection doesn't reset offside. Withdrawn.

EDIT: Found as early as 1898 (!!)

1975
"Diagrams illustrating points in connection with off-side": (https://archive.org/stream/refereeschartpla1975foot#page/52/mode/2up).
 * Wales proposed direct (??) free-kick rather than indirect. Rejected.

1976
See reference to "rule of thumb" here (https://archive.org/details/innergameofsocce00sell/page/132/mode/2up/search/%22had+two+opponents+between+him%22?q=%22had+two+opponents+between+him%22) implicitly excluding unintentional touch by opponent.

1977
IFAB allows FIFA to authorize experiments.

1978
New wording states that player must be "interfering with the play or with an opponent or seeking to gain an advantage by being in that position" at the moment a team-mate [or he himself??] kicks the ball.

Also introduces distinction between offside position and offside offence.

Also removes the exclusion for "the ball last touched an opponent or was last played by him".

Law doesn't really make sense. In theory, if a player is not interfering with play or seeking to do so at the moment it touches a team-mate, but subsequently plays the ball, there is no offence. The only way to make sense of the law is to interpret "seeking to gain an advantage by being in that position" as to encompass almost everything. But that language was also in the previous law, so it really makes no sense at all.

(1) A player is off-side if he is nearer his opponents’ goal-line than the ball at the moment the ball is played unless:—

(a) He is in his own half of the field of play, or

(b) There are two of his opponents nearer to their own goal-line than he is.

(2) A player shall only be declared off-side and penalised for being in an off-side position, if, at the moment the ball touches, or is played by, one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the Referee

(a) interfering with play or with an opponent, or

(b) seeking to gain an advantage by being in that position.

(3) A player shall not be declared off-side by the Referee

(a) merely because of his being in an off-side position

(b) If he receives the ball direct from a goal-kick, a corner-kick, a throw-in, or when it has been dropped by the Referee.

(4). If a player is declared off-side, the Referee shall award an indirect free-kick, which shall be taken by a player of the opposing team from the place where the infringement occurred, unless the offence was committed by a player in his opponents' goal-area, in which case, the free-kick shall be taken from any point within that half of the goal-area in which the offence occurred.

Wording proposed by FIFA

"The FIFA Referees' Committee felt that the new wording as suggested in the revised text last year was better than the present text"

Seems to refer to "proposed Amended Text of the Laws of the Game" mentioned in 1977, drawn up by "Mr Allan", revised by the "Editorial Committee" established in 1975.
 * another proposal to use a direct free-kick: not considered.

1979
Dispute between IFAB and FIFA over whether the substance of the law had been altered or whether it had merely been reworded the previous year. FIFA admitted it had been changed -- illogically, in my view.

"Diagram 10" changed to clarify that offside still possible after ball "deflected" by a defender.

This reverses the previous "Diagram 10" (https://archive.org/stream/refereeschartpla1975foot#page/56/mode/2up)

Previous text (from at least 1975):

A [attacker] shoots at goal. D [defender] runs from position 1 to position 2 to intercept the ball, but it glances off his foot to B [attacker now in offside position relative to D2] who scores. B is not offside because, although he is in front of the ball and has not two opponents between him and the goal-line the ball was last played by an opponent, D

New text (1979):

A [attacker] shoots at goal. D [defender] runs from position 1 to position 2 to intercept the ball, but it glances off his foot to B [attacker now in offside position relative to D2] who scores. B is offside as he was in an offside position at the moment the ball was played by one of his own team and interfering with the play notwithstanding that the ball was deflected by D

1980
Similar change with diagram for shot returned by goalkeeper. See https://slideplayer.com/slide/5987810/

New text
"It was decided that the texts of diagram 7 and diagram 16 be re-worded as follows:

Diagram 7 -- Off-side

Shot returned by goalkeeper (continued).

A shoots at goal. The ball is played out by C but B obtains possession and scores. The goal should be disallowed if the referee considers that B, who is in an off-side position when A shoots, is interfering with play [note -- not unequivocally offside]

Old text (1975)
A shoots at goal. The ball is played out by C but B obtains possession and scores. B was in front of the ball and did not have two opponents between him at the goal-line when the ball was played by A, but he is not off-side because the ball has last been played by an opponent, C.

\

1981
New version of "diagram 6" clarifies that a "shot at goal returned by goalkeeper" doesn't start a new phase.

USSF is told to stop experimenting with a 35-yard line.

1983
FA circulates a "discussion paper" -- contents not clear.

1984
Another reference to the FA's discussion paper, but no details.

1986
FA proposed no offside from free-kick. Rejected.

FA's reason for proposed change: "assist further the non-offending team and also generate more action near goal, with resulting greater excitement for players and spectators".

1987
FA proposes removing drop-ball from list of exceptions (merely a trivial rewording). Withdrawn.

FA asks permission to experiment with no offside from a free-kick. Approved.

1988
FA proposes no offside from free-kick. States that its experiment "confirmed that the alteration ... has assisted the non-offending team, generated more action near goal and resulted in greater excitement". Nevertheless, withdrew the proposal (!?!)

FAW wants to test a proposal where no offside if ball kicked from player's own half. Permission denied.

1990
FA proposes player has to be seeking to interfere with play. IFAB "agreed in principle" but referred it to the Editorial Committee. Presumably this will make offside traps ineffective.

FA proposes removal of dropped ball clause as redundant. Approved.

SFA proposes level with second-last player should be onside. Approved.

FAW's proposal for experiment now approved.

New law:

(1) A player is in an off-side position if he is nearer his opponents’ goal-line than the ball, unless:—

(a) He is in his own half of the field of play, or

(b) He is not nearer to his opponents' goal-line than at least two of his opponents.

(2) A player shall only be declared off-side and penalised for being in an off-side position, if, at the moment the ball touches, or is played by, one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the Referee

(a) interfering with play or with an opponent, or

(b) seeking to gain an advantage by being in that position.

(3) A player shall not be declared off-side by the Referee

(a) merely because of his being in an off-side position

(b) If he receives the ball direct from a goal-kick, a corner-kick, a throw-in, or when it has been dropped by the Referee.

(4). If a player is declared off-side, the Referee shall award an indirect free-kick, which shall be taken by a player of the opposing team from the place where the infringement occurred, unless the offence was committed by a player in his opponents' goal-area, in which case, the free-kick shall be taken from any point within that half of the goal-area in which the offence occurred.

DOIB (2) added.

1991
FA's proposal to stop offside traps now withdrawn.

FAW presents its proposal (no offside if passed from own half): withdrawn.

Experiment at U17 Championship: no offside outside 18 yards from goal line.

FAW experiment permitted to continue.

1992
FAW proposes its idea again. Withdrawn.

1993
SFA proposes (unlisted) changes to diagrams illustrating offside (perhaps visible in 1996 laws?)

Literally no more information than this in minutes. All changes in "separate booklet circulated with the agenda", which is not available. Editorial committee to consider rewording law.

1994
Discussion papers noted.

Diagram for ball "glancing" off opponent is still present in the 1994 laws.as diagram 12.

Between 1994 and 1996 the diagrams seem to have been edited considerably; one of the changes involves the complete removal of the diagram of the ball deflecting / glancing off an opponent.

1995
FA proposes "seeking to interfere with play", "seeking to interfere with an opponent". It will "eliminate players being declared offside if they are positively attempting not to interfere with play". Rejected.

SFA proposes successfully:

(2) It is not an offence in itself to be in an offside position. A player shall only be penalised for being in an offside position if, at the moment the ball touches, or is played by, one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play, by: ...

It also removes the "seeking to gain an advantage".

1996
Diagrams to illustrate offside:

Diagram 11: ball rebounds from goalkeeper. Offside, since player was "in active play and gained an advantage by being in that position".

Remarkably, there is no diagram including a deflection (or "glance") from a defender ?!?!?!

1997
Law even worse. Substantially identical, but diagrams seem to have been removed.

1998
"The Board supported the reintroduction of updated diagrams on Law 11 ... in the 1998 edition of the Laws of the Game"

2002
"Law 11 Illustrations" include goalkeeper rebound, but no deflection.

2005
DOIB 1: In the definition of offside position, “nearer to his opponents’ goal line” means that any part of his head, body or feet is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent. The arms are not included in this definition.

REASON: Football is played with the head, body and feet. If these are nearer the opponents' goal line, there is a potential advantage. DOIB 2: The definitions of elements of involvement in active play are as follows:


 * Interfering with play means playing or touching the ball passed or touched by a team-mate.


 * Interfering with an opponent means preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision or movements or making a gesture or movement which, in the opinion of the referee, deceives or dis-tracts an opponent.

Don't all of these contradict "at the moment a team-mate touches the ball"? Questions and Answers: running towards the ball is not by itself interfering with play. (In 2004, the referee may penalise him if there is no other team-mate (in an onside position) who can play the ball)
 * Gaining an advantage by being in that position means playing a ball that rebounds to him off a post or the crossbar having been in an offside position or playing a ball that rebounds to him off an opponent having been in an offside position

10.The shot by a team-mate (A) rebounds from the goalkeeper to player (B) who is penalised for playing the ball having been previously in an offside position.

12. The shot by a team-mate (A) rebounds from the goalkeeper to player (B) who is penalised for playing the ball having been previously in an offside position.

2006
4.A player in an offside position (A) may be penalised before playing or touching the ball if, in the opinion of the referee, no other team-mate in an onside position has the opportunity to play the ball.

2007
When an offside offence occurs, the referee awards an indirect free kick to be taken from the position of the offending player when the ball was last played to him by one of his team mates.

If a defending player steps behind his own goal line in order to place an opponent in an offside position, the referee must allow play to continue and caution the defender for deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission when the ball is next out of play.

It is not an offence in itself for a player who is in an offside position to step off the field of play to show the referee that he is not involved in active play. However, if the referee considers that he has left the field of play for tactical reasons and has gained an unfair advantage by re-entering the field of play, the player must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour. The player needs to ask for the referee’s permission to re-enter the field of play.

If an attacking player remains stationary between the goalposts and inside the goal net as the ball enters the goal, a goal must be awarded. However, if the attacking player distracts an opponent, the goal must be disallowed, the player cautioned for unsporting behaviour and play restarted with a dropped ball from the position of the ball when play was stopped, unless play was stopped inside the goal area, in which case the referee drops the ball ...

2008
12:The shot by a team-mate (A) rebounds off an opponent to attacker (B) who is penalised for playing the ball having previously been in an offside position.

2009
Any defending player leaving the field of play for any reason without the referee’s permission shall be considered to be on his own goal line or touch line for the purposes of offside until the next stoppage in play. If the player leaves the field of play deliberately, he must be cautioned when the ball is next out of play.

2013

 * “interfering with an opponent” means preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision or challenging an opponent for the ball [making a gesture or movement which, in the opinion of the referee, deceives or distracts an opponent]


 * “gaining an advantage by being in that position” means playing a ball

i. that rebounds or is deflected to him off the goalpost, crossbar or an opponent having been in an offside position

ii. that rebounds, is deflected or is played to him from a deliberate save by an opponent [off an opponent] having been in an offside position

A player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent, who deliberately plays the ball (except from a deliberate save), is not considered to have gained an advantage.

REASON (FIFA): The current wording creates many discussions as it gives too much room for interpretation and is not precise enough. The new text is more in line with actual game situations and will eliminate the confusion regarding what is meant by rebound, deflection and when the ball has been deliberately saved

EXAMPLE 9 added :


 * new:An attacker in an offside position (A) runs towards the ball preventing the opponent (B) from playing or being able to play the ball by challenging the opponent for the ball. (A) is challenging an opponent (B) for the ball.

EXAMPLE 10 changes:


 * old: The shot by a team-mate (A) rebounds from the goalkeeper to (B) who is penalised for playing the ball having previously been in an offside position

NEW 11 added:
 * new: An attacker in an offside position (B) is penalised for playing or touching the ball that rebounds, is deflected or is played to him from a deliberate save by the goalkeeper having been in an offside position when the ball was last touched or is played by a team-mate.


 * new 11: An attacker in an offside position (B) is penalised for playing or touching the ball that rebounds, is deflected or is played to him from a deliberate save by a player from the defending team (C) having been in an offside position when the ball was last touched or is played by a team-mate.

OLD 11/ new 12:


 * old 11:The shot by a team-mate (A) rebounds from the goalkeeper. (B) is in an onside position and plays the ball. (C) in an offside position is not penalised because he did not gain an advantage from being in that position because he did not touch the ball.

EXAMPLE 13/12 changes:
 * new 12:The shot by a team-mate (A) rebounds from the goalkeeper. (B) is in an onside position and plays the ball. (C) in an offside position is not penalised because he did not gain an advantage from being in that position because he did not touch the ball.


 * old 12: The shot by a team-mate (A) rebounds off an opponent to attacker (B) who is penalised for playing the ball having previously been in an offside position
 * new 13: The shot by a team-mate (A) rebounds from the goalkeeper. (B) is in an onside position and plays the ball. (C) in an offside position is not penalised because he did not gain an advantage from being in that position because he did not touch the ball.

2016
Wording from "additional instructions" is integrated into the main law. Many changes: DIAG 7: clearly obstructing goalkeeper's line of vision.
 * (excluding the halfway line)
 * Clarifies that the halfway line is ‘neutral’ for offside i.e. a player must have part of the body in the opponents’ half to be in an offside position.
 * The hands and arms of all players, including the goalkeepers, are not considered.
 * Clarifies that the hands and arms of the defenders, attackers and goalkeepers are not included when judging offside.
 * FINALLY FIXED: A player in an offside position at the moment the ball is played or touched by a team-mate is only penalised on becoming involved in active play by...
 * Clarifies that it is the player’s (offside) position which is judged when the ball is played. The offence occurs after the ball is played e.g. an offside player who scores after a save by the goalkeeper commits the offence after the ball was played.
 * gaining an advantage by playing the ball or interfering with an opponent
 * Clarifies that ‘interfering with an opponent’ after a rebound, deflection or save is an offside offence.
 * If an offside offence occurs, the referee awards an indirect free kick where the offence occurred, including if it is in the player’s own half of the field of play
 * The Law and the interpretation were contradictory. Throughout the Laws, the general principle is that a FK is awarded where an offence occurs so this now applies to offside. A FK can be awarded in a player’s own half if the player moves from an offside position in the opponents’ half to commit an offside offence in the player’s own half.
 * A defending player who leaves the field of play without the referee’s permission shall be considered to be on the goal line or touchline for the purposes of offside until the next stoppage in play or until the defending team has played the ball towards the halfway line and it is outside their penalty area. If the player left the field of play deliberately, the player must be cautioned when the ball is next out of play.
 * It is unfair that an injured defending player off the field ‘plays everyone onside’ until play stops. The new wording defines the end of the phase of play when the defender is no longer considered to be on the field for the purposes of offside.
 * An attacking player may step or stay off the field of play not to be involved in active play. If the player re-enters from the goal line and becomes involved in play before the next stoppage in play or the defending team has played the ball towards the halfway line and it is outside their penalty area, the player shall be considered to be positioned on the goal line point for the purposes of offside. A player who deliberately leaves the field of play and re-enters without the referee’s permission and is not penalised for offside and gains an advantage, must be cautioned.
 * Clarifies how to deal with an attacking player who leaves or stays off the field of play and then returns.
 * If an attacking player remains stationary between the goalposts and inside the goal as the ball enters the goal, a goal must be awarded unless the player commits an offside offence or Law 12 offence in which case play is restarted with an indirect or direct free kick.
 * Consistent with updated offside wording (i.e. removal of ‘distracts’) and the ability to penalise an offence off the field with a free kick when the ball is in play.

2017

 * rebounded or been deflected off the goalpost, crossbar, match official or an opponent


 * Clarifies that if the ball rebounds or is deflected off a match official to a player who was in an offside position, that player can be penalised for an offside offence


 * A ‘save’ is when a player stops, or attempts to stop, a ball which is going into or very close to their goal with any part of the body except the hands/arms (unless the goalkeeper within their penalty area).


 * More accurate definition of a ‘save’.

New text:

In situations where:

a player moving from, or standing in, an offside position is in the way of an

opponent and interferes with the movement of the opponent towards the ball this is an offside offence if it impacts on the ability of the opponent to play or challenge for the ball; if the player moves into the way of an opponent and impedes the opponent’s progress (e.g. blocks the opponent) the offence should be penalised under Law 12.

a player in an offside position is moving towards the ball with the intention of playing the ball and is fouled before playing or attempting to play the ball, or challenging an opponent for the ball, the foul is penalised as it has occurred before the offside offence

an offence is committed against a player in an offside position who is already playing or attempting to play the ball, or challenging an opponent for the ball, the offside offence is penalised as it has occurred before the foul challenge

Explanation

Clarification of situations where:

a player in an offside position away from the ball commits an offence which

impacts on the ability of the defender(s) to play or challenge for the ball

an offence is committed against a player who is in an offside position.

2018
Additional text:

A player in an offside position at the moment the ball is played or touched* by a team-mate is only penalised on becoming involved in active play by:

The first point of contact of the ‘play’ or ‘touch’ of the ball should be used

Explanation:

Slow motion shows a detectable difference between the first and last contact with the ball so a definition of the precise moment that the ball is ‘played’ is needed when judging offside position.