The Rules Of Soccer-Offside--A Primer For Coaches-Fans-And Players

Penalty kicks aside, soccer?s offside rule may produce more frustration for fans and players alike than all the other rules combined. But its purpose is simple, and taking a few moments to understand it may do more to reduce a soccer fan's blood pressure than anything short of bypass surgery.

Of course, understanding won't change a single call on the field. But before screaming at the referee, it might help to understand what all the fuss is really about.

The Purpose of the Offside Rule

Perception of Coaches, Fans, and Players: The Main Purpose of the Offside Rule is to give the officials an excuse to take away any goal our team scores.

A Secondary Purpose of the rule is to let the officials give the other team a breakaway, and let them score whenever they pass the ball behind our defenders.

Reality Check:

Officials do not like to disallow goals. They realize how hard each team works for any goal it scores, and will disallow a goal when a team scores by violating the rules. In addition, the Referee does not really care which team wins.

The Real Reason for the Offside Rule

The purpose of the Offside Rule is the same in Soccer as it is in hockey ? to prevent ?cherry-picking? by a player who camps in front of the other team?s goal, perhaps hoping for a long pass so he doesn?t have to move around very much. Without the Offside Rule, Soccer would be a large field game of ping pong, filled with long kicks and alternating mad scrambles from one end of the field to the other. By preventing any ?offside? player from participating in the game, the rule puts a premium on dribbling and passing, rather than long kicks. This promotes teamwork, which, in turn, encourages quick switching from one side of the field to the other, and compresses the action to a smaller area of the field ? usually about 30 or 40 yards long. The end result is that all the players stay closer to the action, and everyone has a better chance of participating in the game.

The Offside Rule:

A player in an offside position is only penalized 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 interfering with play, or interfering with an opponent, or gaining an advantage by being in that position.

?Offside Position?

Perception of Coaches, Fans, and Players: A player is ?Offside? whenever he gets past our defenders. The officials will not notice this, however, unless we bring it to their attention by screaming at them.

Reality Check:

The rule is a bit more complicated than this...but there is at least one official watching the offside line at any given time. However, occasionally the Referee?s attention is on the contest for the ball, instead of the official watching the offside line, which sometimes results in a late whistle.

The ?Offside Position?:

Law 11 states that a player is in an ?offside position? whenever ?he is nearer to his opponent?s goal than both the ball and the second last opponent,? unless ?he is in his own half of the field of play.? Put more simply:

? Nobody can be ?offside? in his own half of the field.

? Nobody can be ?offside? if even with, or behind the ball.

? Nobody can be ?offside? if even with, or behind two or more opponents.

In addition, there are three major exceptions to the offside rule. Anyone receiving a ball directly from a throw-in, a corner kick, or a goal kick, cannot be ?offside.? So, if Sally receives the ball directly from her teammate?s throw-in, it doesn?t matter if she is in an offside position. The fact that it was a throw-in means that the play was not offside. However, if she flicks the ball along to Jane, who is even further downfield than Sally was, Jane can be offside, since she received the ball from Sally, rather than from the throw-in. The same holds true for corner kicks and goal kicks, as well. If the ball comes directly from the restart, the play cannot be offside; but once the first player receives the ball, the ?offside? rule comes back into play.

?Involved in Active Play?

Perception of Coaches, Fans, and Players: Referees often use the phrase ?not involved in the play? to avoid admitting they missed an offside call. If the players on the other team were not ?involved in active play,? they would not be on the field, they would be on the sidelines.

Reality Check:

A good referee tries to stop the game only when necessary ? usually, only for a serious injury, or when one team would otherwise gain an advantage by a violation of the rules.

Contrary to popular misconceptions, it does not violate the rules merely for a player to be in an offside position. The violation comes only when an ?offside? player becomes involved in the play. So the referee ? or the assistant referee on the sidelines ? who allows play to continue even if everyone can see a player well beyond the offside line is probably not missing anything. Rather, they are applying the rule correctly, by letting play continue until the player in the ?offside position? becomes ?offside? by getting involved in the play.

?Involved in Active Play?

There are three ? and only three ? situations where someone in an offside position is penalized for being ?offside.? All of them, however, require participating in play from an offside position ? or, in the wording of the rule, becoming ?involved in active play?in one of three ways:

? Interfering with play

? Interfering with an opponent, or

? Gaining an advantage by being in an offside position.

The easiest example of ?offside? comes when an offside player receives a pass from a teammate. In this case, he is directly ?interfering with play? because he got the ball. Other examples of the same principle apply this same logic, but seek to spare the players a few steps, or the coaches and fans a few heart attacks. So, if one or more attackers is trapped offside and running to play the ball, the play will be ?offside.? (Some sadistic or mischievous assistant referees may prefer to wait until the player actually touches the ball in order to raise the flag. This is not, strictly speaking, necessary; but it is not incorrect for them to do so, either...providing some incentive, however meager, to be nice to them). On the other hand, if an offside player removes himself from the play ? pulling up, for example, in order to let an onside teammate collect the ball ? an alert official will allow play to continue. And if the ball is going directly to the keeper, the officials will usually let the players keep playing.

While it is not an offense to be in an offside position, a player who never touches the ball may nevertheless affect play in such a way as to be penalized for being offside. The offside player who runs between an opponent and the ball, for example ? or one who screens the goalkeeper from a shot, or interferes with the keeper?s ability to jump for, or collect the ball ? violates the offside rule by participating in the play. But this sort of participation does not come from touching the ball. Rather, it comes from interfering with an opponent?s chance to play the ball. In this case, once the assistant referee sees the participation, the appropriate response is to raise the flag. But, if the offside player pulls up, steps to the side, or clearly indicates that he is removing himself from the moment?s active play, the alert official will simply allow play to continue.

Among the trickiest things to spot ? either as a spectator or an official ? is the player who exploits an offside position to gain an unfair advantage. This does not mean that the player is ?gaining an advantage? by avoiding some extra running on a hot day, however. Instead, it means that the player is taking advantage of his positioning to exploit a lucky deflection, or a defensive mistake. So, if an offside player is standing to the side of the goal when his teammate takes a shot ? but does not otherwise interfere with play or inhibit the keeper?s chance to make the save ? then he is not offside...and the officials will count the goal. But if the ball rebounds, either from the keeper or the goalpost, and the offside player bangs the rebound home ? the play is offside, and the goal will not count, because the player is now gaining an advantage from the offside position.

?The Moment the Ball is Played....?

Perception of Coaches, Fans, and Players:

The referees never get the offside call right, and have a hard time making up their minds. That?s why their flags are often late. And that?s why they sometimes raise the offside flag even when the players are clearly onside.

Reality Check

The Offside rule is the source of more controversy than any other rule in soccer ? and for good reason: it?s pretty complicated. In addition, there are at least two critical moments of judgment in every offside call, or no-call. The second of these, the moment of participation, is often easy to see: that?s usually where the ball lands and the players are playing, and that?s where everybody is looking. But the first ?moment of truth? is usually away from everyone?s attention, because what determines the ?offside position? is the relative position of each player at the moment the ball is struck.

?The moment the ball touches, or is played, by a teammate....?

Players touch the ball a lot during a soccer game, sometimes in very rapid succession. And soccer being a fluid game, on a good team each player is constantly in motion. This means that the first moment of judgment ? determining whether any players are in an offside position ? is constantly changing, and the relative position of the players will often be very different from one moment to the next. Yet the officials have to keep it all straight, and have a heartbeat or less to take a mental snapshot of the players? positioning at one frozen moment in time ? the moment the ball is played by a member of one team ? in order to judge whether an offside member of that team subsequently moves to play the ball, interferes with an opponent, or gains an advantage from being offside. From the official?s perspective, the game is an endless series of these snapshots, because each new touch of the ball redetermines the offside line.

Part of the difficulty in this is simple physics. Imagine that you are watching cars pass one another on the highway. It may seem easy to tell when one car is passing another in the two northbound lanes of traffic; but try telling the precise moment that a car traveling north is exactly even with a car traveling south. Now, combine this with the need make your decision at the precise moment that some other northbound car flashes its brights, and you get a pretty good idea of what the officials have to do, dozens of times in every game. If the cars are even, or the northbound car has not quite passed the one heading south at the moment the third car flashes its brights, the play is onside; if the northbound car has nosed ahead of the southbound car, the play is offside. Now, widen the highway to twenty lanes...increase the number of cars to twenty-two...set them all moving in different directions and at varying speeds...tell the assistant referee to stay even with the ?next to last car?...and if you can keep track of it all, you?re doing what the referees are doing every moment of the game. Just remember ? the official has to make each decision in a heartbeat.

But what really seems to confuse everyone is more a matter of psychology and perception. Suppose everyone is watching the car with the lights. When its brights flash, everyone turns to see the northbound car racing ahead, and by the time they turn their heads, it?s well past the southbound car, racing north as fast as the speed limit allows. In a soccer game, substitute players for cars, and the ball for the lights, and whichever way the call goes, this is the moment that half the crowd will often start screaming at the officials. But in fact, nobody but the assistant referee has any idea what the call should be, because nobody, except the one, lonely official, was watching the right players at the critical moment.

The important thing to remember is that the moment of judging ?offside position? is different than the moment of judging participation. And this is true whichever direction the players are moving. An offside player who comes back onside to receive the ball is still offside; to avoid the call, he cannot participate until another teammate touches the ball, or his opponents manage to collect it. On the other hand, a player who is onside will remain onside, no matter how far she runs to retrieve it, and no matter where the other team?s players move in the meantime. So, if Judy is onside when Stacey kicks the ball forward, it doesn?t matter if she?s twenty yards behind the defense when she collects the ball. The play will be onside...because she was onside at the moment her teammate passed the ball. And if Judy is onside...but Mary is offside...then an alert official will wait to see which one of them moves after the ball ? because if Mary takes herself out of the play, and allows Judy to collect it, then play can continue because there is no offside violation.

Soccer Officials and Offside

The offside rule has been part of Soccer for a long time, and has generated arguments and controversies since its inception. But its purpose is simple: to prevent ?cherry-picking.? And since it is an important part of the game, the match officials will enforce the rule to the best of their ability. So when the officials rule a play offside ?or let play continue, because they saw no infraction ? they are not doing it out of spite, or to hurt one team or the other. Rather, they are doing so regardless of which team it hurts or benefits, simply because the rules require it.

Officials have a difficult and sometimes thankless job. They have to enforce the rules, even if nobody else understands them, in order for the players to have a fair contest of skill. But the officials are there because they have no interest in the outcome, only a deep respect for the sport, and a willingness to run about the field, occasionally enduring unkind or uninformed remarks so that others can play a game they all love.

Knowing the rules can help coaches, players, and spectators understand the decisions the officials hand down during the match, as they try to keep the game fair, safe, and enjoyable for everybody. And occasionally, understanding the rules may spare everyone some needless grief, when a call goes against your favorite team.

Jeffrey Caminsky, a veteran public prosecutor in Michigan, specializes in the appellate practice of criminal law and writes on a wide range of topics. Both his science fiction adventure novel The Star Dancers, the first volume in the Guardians of Peace (tm) science fiction adventure series, and The Referee?s Survival Guide, a book on soccer officiating, are published by New Alexandria Press, http://www.newalexandriapress.com

Guide To Be A Successful Soccerpunter

Why becomes a soccer bettor one may ask? Where it is considered a negative occupation where it is often regarded as non productive, immoral behaviour. Well as for every other thing everything there is the pros n cons. If you able to use it to your advantage it could be becomes your full-time occupation or a second income. Morever, soccer betting is a big thriving business where it is prevalent throughout the worldBy the use of statistics, experience and practice, an astute gambler can consistently beat the posted odds . However to do so one must behave in a manner consistent with success. One thing a successful bettor must do is to continually learn.

Handicapping

There is no single method that is considers the best method, everyones tackles the soccer problem differently,one thing for sure is the harder one works intelligently and practically and the more experience he has the more positive results he will realised.

Objective approach

The use of statistic to help the bettor to determine his picks. It should be noted that statistic are fundemental but its how they are used that makes the difference between winning and losing. However if everyone comes to the same conclusions the oddsmaker could still eliminate any advantages by adjusting the line to keep everyone guessing. Either way it is to the bookies advantage.

Subjective approach

After yrs of handicapping the sub-conscious mind help the bettor to finalise his picks. When he starts to win the bettor will get carried away however if his results turns negative his emotions and his mind will short virtually making the bettor ineffective. It is extremely important the bettor at this time knows to hold back and observe for his form to pick up before betting again.

Trends

It should be noted that the best trends are those that are unique, valid and relatively unknown. Any seasoned soccer bettor knows that once the trend becomes too popular the linesmen will adjust the line to leave people lost. When using trends you should notice whether it is getting stronger and weaker?

Bankroll mangement

Definition-the amount of money you set aside for betting and not hose for paying bills, groceries or money even when lost would not cause much unbalance in the bettors life.

How much to bet per game?

I would suggest 5% of your bankroll to be used for betting and not to bet more than 3 matches per day, reason because its very difficult to pick winners for every match and the most likely results are you will have a few winners and a few losers resulting in minimal bankroll growth which is the most likely results or worse lose all the bets which is highly possible. Another very important reason for this is you are able to gauage more accurately how much you will lose should you indeed lose.

Summary

To begin with, one must understands what he is up against, there is no method or systems that could contiunues to win every game , everyday, every week , month or year. Good consistent handicapping means selecting more winners than losers. In order to be a successful bettor one must give lots of thoughts to why is the results this way ?and is there any reason behind it. When you manage to reveal the meaning behind it it is the time you feed back on the fat cow (bookmaker).

Soccer forum

I have seen a great prevalence use of soccer forums where soccer bettors post their picks. It is often noted that a lot of beginners try to note down those tipsters who is in hot form meaning those posting the corrects picks and then bet big following them . I strongly discourage people from doing so cause they were betting their hard earn money on people whom they never even meet or know and blindly follows theirs picks. This is very unhealthy why? cause the bettors himself have failed to come out with his own picks ,where he could be learning from his own mistakes and who knows those that are in the forum might be bookies themselves posting picks to lure the ignorant ones to be hooked.

Getting prepared mentally

One should be prepared mentally for losing and winnings cause either way it would lead to what I call a gambling syndrome. When the bettors keeps winnings he will be feeling over the moon during his hot streats and starts spending money like he is a king overnite however once he starts hitting the rough patch he will be losing sleeps if he bet a very substantial amount or can't concentrate in his work. This is very unhealthy and how to curb this problem?By following a systematic money-management programs.

Is it possible to strike rich in a very short period say 1 month?

It is possible for a soccer bettor to strike rich but that is provided he is extremely lucky during that month and makes more than 60% corrects picks and of those correct picks are those he bets bigs and the remainder 40% lossess are those he bets small. However one knows that what goes up must come down and the winners are those who are able to tide over the rough patch and then starts winning back when his form is back

Is it important to know all about the soccer team , soccer players statistic n does that makes me a better soccer better?

The answer is no cause soccer betting arena is a place where the booksmakers earns their money if by knowing every details could make you rich then all the soccer writers, soccer magazines editors are the ones who are driving big cars and living in big houses.

What makes a true soccer bettor an expert?

The ability to convert a given bankroll into profits based on practical bankroll management program and against some standard of odds and over a large number of games and over a period of time.

How to become a true soccer expert?

1. He should keep a record of all that days opening odds and closing odds.

2. print out the each respective wide table.
3. Write down the score
4. reason why the results to be this way and is there any trends. Of course in order to look for particular trends you need soccer records.
5. keep meticulous and honest records of his play decisions and their results. This will teach him his strength and weakness.
6. learn how to bet on his own handicapping in order to realize the greatest profit. He then must discipline his action and play in respect of this plan in order to get the best results.
7. learn how to tackle his emotions as well as personal problems out of his decisions. If this becomes too difficult he should stop playing.
8. be constantly on the alert to make changes to his handicapping methods and techniques.
9. set up a plan of action for bankroll management and stick diligently to it.

Does soccer betting involves luck?

Answer: no, cause soccer results is preplanned meaning before the matches starts the results is already out. If you have been betting soccer for a period of time and keeping soccer records deligiently you would have discovered a trend and realized that its a cycle.

So which leagues are you gd in?

for each people they they dwell in different leagues for me I specialize in only 4 leagues namely EPL, Italy serieA , Spanish primera and german bundesliga.

How to tackle soccer cups and normal weekend domestic league?

There are lots of soccer matches throughout the soccer season and the techniques involves in dealing with different matches differs differently and at different timing of the season.

Does the bookmaker lose money?

ANS : yes there are times but seldom. Bookmakers lose money then the strong team win throughout the tournamnet eg euro2000 but that is short-term loss. They will continues to win the soccer punters money as long as there are soccer matches. Why? Cause there will be different opionions from different soccer punters just the vigourish/water money alone is able to cover their losses and that is excluding fixed match where they win even more. Another useful tool they are armed with is they understands that all gamblers have a common weakness. They bet bigger and bigger when winning and bets even bigger to chase their loss when losing. In either case it is to the bookmakers edge.

Contary to the belief of many where they think they are winning the bookmakers money , it is the other soccer punters ie, their friend's money whom they are winning. The only way to bust the bookmaker/bookies is not to bet or share part of the pie the bookmaker is having.

Soccer cups

There are namely a few more popular ones are uefa cup, uefa champions league, league cup, fa cup, worthington cup, international friendlies, Italian cup, Spanish cup.

Why is it important to do a form analysis on oneself?

It is because people when they are in a winning streats they tend to win more frequent cause I find that it got to do with ones confidence level. They becomes not afraid to lose and I believes that if one believe in himself strongly he will perform much better than one who is afraid of losing.

Betting strategy

Overview- When you do keep records you could trace your own form and make adjustment from there.

Flat betting strategy

This is the strategy I use when I am determining which way my form is going. Up or down. Another reason to test out new leagues where I'm unfamiliar. PROS - this strategy would produce a even amt of risk for money wagered but however if you are able to pick on the right team you could earn a average profit, CONS -but due to the water money and the increase in the no. Of bets before you could see a tidy handsome profit this will constitue to be the downside.

Progressive betting strategy

I adopt the progressive betting strategy method which is to multiply my previous winnings by 0.5 and use it for the next bet which is the strategy I adopt when my form are good. Ie when 3 or more wins consecutively. Reason why? There is a Chinese saying "hit the iron while its hot" which I find it to be very true cause there are many opportunities in soccerbetting where if you are able to recognize it and bet bigger than usual, PROS- there is a potential higher return rate then if you flat bet. CONS- when you do adjust your bet amt you are relatively exposing yourself to more risk this is the tradeoff where you could lose potentially more.

Reduced betting strategy

When do you adopt this is when you have been picking the wrong team all the time example say 3 straight lose which is very common caused I realized that this is the time where people starts to bet big to chase their loss. This is very wrong caused when one is down on luck or the bookmaker has adjusted the line to confuse the bettor they should stay calm n reduced their bets or not bet at all. PROS- reduced money lost and try to minimize serious damage to original bankroll. CONS- if the picks do win you could not cover back your previous loss due to reduction in wager. This is the trade-off.

Why is it important to find the right time frame before u bet and does it make a difference?

It is important because if now you are in a losing streats it is best to control oneself before you jump into it and wack hard to chase back your lossess most likely you will lose. It is best to make own prediction first and see if your form is back if it is slowly getting back now is time to jump in cause once you run out of bullets during your losing streats it is very difficult to fight back.

Best regards

Winder, Winder sports

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