Posted by Cajun Claret
on 17/2/2004, 5:43 pm, in reply to "Offside mayhem ?"
one of my pet hates. I was a forward all the years I played local league football, and offside rule causes problems at all levels, especially when you have opposing team's subs running line, or no linesmen at all.
I think the FA/Football league are missing a great chance to help in development of young up and coming officials, and I have not heard this idea anywhere else before. The "assistant refs" have too much to watch for nowadays, and cannot keep a close enough eye on offsides while they are supposed to be helping the referee make other decisions. Plus the main ref has virtually impossible job keeping up with fast flowing game with every decision in spotlight.
So there should be specific "offside judges" - on the empty quarters of touchline not occupied by asst refs, you have an orange-clad younger official whose sole job is to judge offsides - gets young officials used to big match atmosphere before becoming refs, frees asst refs to help the main ref, and then no need for a second ref or tv replays.
This is one aspect of NFL over here that is good with decision-making process. There is a main ref, but then several other asst refs who watch for specific areas of the pitch (ie the touchdown area, defense plays, offensive plays etc, and decisions are not often disputed, and when they are challenged, is is surprising how often tv replays prove the officials correct - they do not have as big an area or as many diff things to watch for as our sole football ref, and our asst refs.
Fans have more confidence in decisions as well.
As for a player not interfering - I always think that if a player is on the pitch, he is part of play, the not interfering is nonsense and brings an element of individual objectivity into what should be a 'yes' or 'no' decision.
V. disappointed at cup exit in what seems to be another lame show from reports and messages.
Vital to get something from Ipswich.
Message Thread:
« Back to thread
