Intended for healthcare professionals

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Experts' Eye View

Can the human eye detect an offside position during a football match?

BMJ 2004; 329 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.329.7480.1470 (Published 16 December 2004) Cite this as: BMJ 2004;329:1470

Rapid Response:

Re: Offside rule should be scrapped.

I find the article quite interesting. I am currently taking the
Sports Science program and this study I found to be particularly
interesting. Having just learnt about the physiology of the eye, and as a
referee this is a interesting study.
However as a referee, no offside rule would actually be a detriment to the
game in my opinion. All players would do is sit 20 yards behind the
defenders, forcing the defenders to stay 20 yards farther back from the
play. Pressure would be harder to maintain in the attacking end since the
defense is no longer within a reasonable distance to put the ball back
into the attacking third, maintaining the attack. The Kick and Run game
would be then preferable and in my opinion makes for more interesting
soccer. Also as a soccer goalie, the offside rule makes it so I as a
goalie have a chance to make the saves that make the highlight reel.

Competing interests:
I am a soccer referee and goalie

Competing interests: No competing interests

18 December 2004
Blair K Byrne
Referee/Undergraduate Student
Douglas College - Sports Science Program