MtheGM, the goal hanging argument is huge and I think would have a detrimental effect on the game as an entertainment spectacle. I believe that without the offside rule football/soccer would be a large field game of ping pong, filled with long kicks and alternating mad scrambles from one end of the field to the other. The field of play would either be drawn out completely or the midfield would be compacted in order to prevent the opposing team from playing. By preventing any "offside" player from participating in the game, the rule puts a premium on dribbling and passing, rather than long kicks. This promotes teamwork, which, in turn, encourages quick switching from one side of the field to the other, and compresses the action to a smaller area of the field. The end result is that all the players stay closer to the action, and everyone has a better chance of participating in the game. Why not just play with say four players and have them belt the ball up and down to each other.