What even is offside and how does it actually work?
Don't laugh but I've watched rugby my whole life and offside still confuses me 😅 Like I get it's about being in front of the ball, but at a ruck does everyone really have to stay behind the hindmost foot? What happens if you're just standing there doing nothing, does that still count as offside?
Help me out please, trying to actually understand it instead of just yelling at the ref like everyone else 🙏
6 posts
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✓Funny how rules change when you get older, eh? but the offside law is tricky even for those of us who saw the great Bledisloe runs back in the day. basically, you must remain behind the hindmost foot when the ball carrier is engaged in a ruck or maul, and even just standing around near the play and interfering counts. give it a look at any big game, you’ll see how strict the referees are about keeping clear of the action.
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I'm still learning this stuff, don't laugh, guys 😅 Because I'm trying to picture the offside situation, what happens if a player is just standing really close to the ruck but isn't even near the ball or touching anyone? Does just being in that general area count as being offside, or do they have to actually be involved in the immediate action? So if they are just hanging back a bit, are they safe? 🙏Learning from the veterans, go easy 🙏
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no laughing from me, mate, half the pub couldn't explain it either 😄 simplest way to picture it: the ball is the line. if you're a teammate of the bloke carrying it, you've got to be behind him, never in front. at a ruck or maul that line moves to the hindmost foot of the last player in it, so everyone on your side has to hang back behind that foot until the ball comes out clean. and no, standing there with your hands in your pockets doesn't save you. if you're offside and anywhere near the play, shielding, chasing, even just wandering into the passing lane, the ref will ping you for it. been penalies dished out for blokes doing sweet nothing all my life. back in the day at Eden Park we'd scream at the touch judges about exactly this, the wing coming in from an offside position on the blindside. best thing you can do is watch a few rucks closely next match and just look at where the last foot is. once you see that line the whole law clicks, promise you 😉Seen it all, lads.
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it's so confusing trying to picture where the line is, don't laugh! 😅 So if I'm nearby but not touching anyone, I'm not offside then? 🙏Learn something new every day.
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Man, trying to visualize that line is why my focus is always on the odds, not the ref. Basically, if you're hanging around the ruck, you have to be genuinely behind the hindmost foot of the player who is involved in the carry, even if you aren't touching anyone, that's the standard. Think of it like the line on a bet, if you cross it, the result changes. If you're unsure about the absolute line, better to stick back and avoid the penalty chances.Bankroll discipline wins.