If you’re a soccer player or fan, you’ve probably found yourself in the difficult position of having to explain the offside rule to someone. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so next time you need an illustration to help you explain offsides, just reach for…your wallet?
The Royal Mint in England is producing commemorative 2012 Olympics coins that have a diagram of the offside rule on the back. The 50 Pence coins have sparked a reaction among current and former referees, who say the coins display an outdated version of the offside rule. The rule was amended in 1995 to include “passive offside”, where a player in an offside position isn’t penalized until he interferes with the play.
The Mint says the coins were meant to “provoke discussion”. Whether the coins ultimately help clarify the rule or confuse it only time will tell, but with half a million already in circulation, plenty of people are sure to be talking about the offside rule.
Who knew getting change at the store could be so educational?