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Offside is one of the elements of football which causes the most discussion, although it has been an integral part of the game since the laws were first codified in 1863.
|It is one of the many expressions used in the game with a military origin and is actually a contraction of 'off the strength of his side'.
When a soldier is 'off the strength', he is not entitled to any pay, rations or privileges. He cannot regain these until he is placed back on 'the strength of his unit' by someone other than himself.
In football, if a player is offside, he is 'out of play' and thereby not entitled to get the ball, prevent an opponent from playing the ball, nor in any way interfere with the game.
Originally, ant player who was in front of the ball at the moment it was played by another player of his team was 'out of play' and therefore offside.
I wouldn't say any particular person was responsible for football's offside law, though the original laws as a whole were said to be drafted by Ebenezer Cobb Morley, the first Football Association Honorary Secretary.
David Barber
Football Association
Lancaster Gate, London
(with thanks to the Daily Mail 17/8/99)
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