This Week's Question:

What do you think would happen to the game of soccer if there were no offsides?

Some Noteworthy Opinions Sent In By Visitors:

Editor's Comment:  The following is an opinion that we received in response to the
                                  above question.  If you would like to comment on this opinion,
                                  please write your response in the box below. 

Sent in by soccer fan, Peter O'Shea of Canton, Ohio:
" I think that not having offsides would make the game more exciting and fast and more goals
would be scored, which is what fans want to see. I have been playing soccer for twenty years,
both 11 vs 11 and 7 vs 7 formats. In the latter, there are no offsides. Although the fields are
smaller and there are fewer players, everything else is the same as regulation soccer.The
difference I have experienced and still do between 11 vs 11 and 7 vs 7 is that more goals are
scored, more skills are required, and the game is faster. But there is no loss of the true spirit
of the game. Yes, balls can be long-shotted over the defense to waiting attackers, but the
longer the ball, the easier it is for the defense to close in and prevent the shot. And defenders
tend to cover the offense tighter and the offense tends to move the ball forward with short,
quick passes and a long volley now and then towards the goal. Playing with no offsides is fun
and there is lots of action, at least with 7 vs 7. I have not played 11 vs 11 with no offsides, so
I can not accurately predict the effect, but it seems that it might work and add extra excitement
to the game with more goals."