I don’t watch a ton of soccer but for the life of me

You ever wonder why an offensive player just doesn't hang out next to the goal the entire game?

Any body part that can score cannot be past the second to last defender. Goalie is normally the last.

But yes, the rule is shite. Too many beautifully timed runs getting called back. All to have a 1 goal snoozefest.

That Ronaldo offsides goal was a thing of beauty

quote:

---

many beautifully timed runs

---

By definition they aren’t beautifully timed

Essentially to prevent something like cherry picking in basketball, there must be two opponents (typically the keeper and one defender) between an attacking player and the goal when the ball is played by the attacking player’s teammate. The only exception would be if the attacking player is still in his own half when the ball is played by a teammate.


How people find that more complicated than offside or icing in hockey, I’m not sure.

quote:

---

The only exception would be if the attacking player is still in his own half when the ball is played by a teammate.

---

And throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks.

quote:

---

The way it is now, it would be like if in football the receiver is not allowed to run past the defensive back.

---

The better comparison would be if the receiver was allowed to run past the line of scrimmage before the snap

No one wants to see cherry picking

quote:

---

The better comparison would be if the receiver was allowed to run past the line of scrimmage before the snap

---

Nah, cause in soccer the ball is already in play when offsides happens - thus “after the snap”.

quote:

---

This just makes zero sense to me. The entire point of ball sports is to break free from the defender.

---

There are reasons. But think of it as having to break free from the defenser but only when the ball is passed. Makes it more difficult right?

I don't understand why a batter is awarded a chance to get to 1st base when they strike out just because the baseball touched the ground.

There are some sports rules that are questionable, sure. But I think soccer offside is necessary.

The cherry picking argument just doesn’t hold up. In basketball, a guy can just stand by his goal. But then the other team would just stand someone next to him. And it just means it’s 4 vs. 4 instead of 5 vs. 5 at the other end. No advantage or disadvantage for either team.