http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=321210&cc=5901

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A major change to football's offside law is on the agenda when FIFA's law-makers meet in Cardiff next month.

The proposal, from the Football Association of Wales, is that a player can only be offside if they are in the opponent's penalty area.

If accepted by the game's global governing body, the change would have an even bigger impact on the sport than the last major alteration to the offside law in 1925.

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This would be huge for the more speedy strikers. Anyone know how much weight a proposal from Wales has?

Another interesting discussion:

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FIFA also want to stop time-wasting and the meeting will discuss yellow cards for attacking players who pick the ball out of the net after a goal is scored and for any player who 'deliberately touches' the ball after a free-kick, corner or throw-in is awarded against his side.

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FIFA also want to stop time-wasting and the meeting will discuss yellow cards for attacking players who pick the ball out of the net after a goal is scored

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I don't get this. Usually I see a player do this when his team is down and and there isn't much time left. If anything, he's trying to maximize time not trying to waste it.

The proposed offside rule change seems like it would open the game up dramatically. Defenders wouldn't be able to push up nearly as much when their team is in attack, because of the even added risk of a counterattack which in turn would open up the midfield. I'm no soccer strategist by any means but that seems at least plausible.

i agree, Dre. the defense would have to adjust and have at least one guy stay back a little more than normal. if this would happen, i foresee an increase in the long ball strategy as opposed to more of a possession strategy.

changing a rule that hasn't been touched since the 1920's would definitely shake some things up.

That could really affect scoring. Teams would have to be careful not to push up the defense too far, especially if the other teams forwards are really fast.

I'm not sure I like changing the offsides rule, but it would have to be easier to enforce than what they in place now. It seems now that almost every offsides call is argued.

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"When I look to this lion it looks arrogant, it is aggressive, it is powerful. He is proud of being a Chelsea lion." -- José Mourinho

changing the offsides rule is retarded and would ruin the game...if you want to have cherrypicking go play indoor soccer, if you want to take most of the skill out of the game and just play longball, than soccer isnt for you

i agree PatAg. just remember, this is a recommendation from the FA of Wales. don't expect this to get very far.

yeah, it definately ruins the game. That is the rule for an Under 13 girls team that I coach. It confuses the hell out of everyone and is way to easy to score. I think we will be seeing some more high scoring games. It also slows the ball down in the middle of the field because no one is there. They are all guarding forwards in the back field and the middle is open and slow.

[This message has been edited by BlairAG04 (edited 1/10/2005 4:59p).]

I think you would see less scoring and actually less long balls.

1. The defense would stay back, so you would see less pressure on the goal.

2. The long ball is a way to defeat the off-sides trap. If the defense moves way up, kick the long ball and your speedy guys can out run them all. With the new rule guys will be hanging back and there will not be room for the long ball. It will open up the mid-field and make for some fast transitions which might be exciting.

I believe there are 8 votes on the panel: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, and then 3 votes from the rest of FIFA. The British and Irish countries get votes since they developed the game. I think it takes 6 votes for the change to take place.

It would be very foolish to make this change, in my opinion.

"We don't believe in moral victories." - Chris Walker

i think you're right, Rocks. for the most part, yes...there would probably be a defender just hanging back there. however, it just takes one striker to get passed him. if you try it enough times, it'll eventually wear him out. a team's whole strategy for offense and defense would probably be changed.

i hope this proposal gets laughed out of the room.

[This message has been edited by sixiron (edited 1/10/2005 10:03p).]

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That is the rule for an Under 13 girls team that I coach

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We need to leak that information to the voting panel. I'm sure if they got wind that the rule was used by 13 year old girls in America, their English egos would squash any thoughts they might have had of changing the rule.