Trying to explain the offside rule to beginners of the game can be, at times, as difficult (and frustrating) as attempting to conquer a Rubik's cube.
Whether it's to a loved one, a young child or a complete and utter tw@t, sometimes it seems to be an impossible job.
But the eternally notorious task is no more thanks to the Royal Mint, who have produced a new 50p coin to commemorate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The 'genius' design - inspired by production journalist Neil Wolfson - is available as part of the collection of 29 new coins this year which features each sport of the games.
'Neil Wolfson designed his coin in the hope that it would encapsulate football in a simple image,' the Royal Mint coinmakers website explains.
He's miles off, ref: Marcus Tudgay was denied a goal for Nott'm Forest against Reading while assistant referee Sian Massey (below) signals an offside call
'As the offside rule is a perennial talking point, the image is designed to provoke discussion, which was what he was aiming for.'
The piece is in circulation but can be purchased separately in a limited edition presentation package on the Royal Mint website for ?2.99.
Limited edition: The commemorative 50p piece can be purchased as part of a special collectors pack from the Royal Mint
So if you do manage to get one of the rare keepsakes, hold onto it and save it for those potentially awkward moments when you have to explain the rule for the umpteenth consecutive time...
Whether it's to a loved one, a young child or a complete and utter tw@t, sometimes it seems to be an impossible job.
But the eternally notorious task is no more thanks to the Royal Mint, who have produced a new 50p coin to commemorate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The 'genius' design - inspired by production journalist Neil Wolfson - is available as part of the collection of 29 new coins this year which features each sport of the games.
'Neil Wolfson designed his coin in the hope that it would encapsulate football in a simple image,' the Royal Mint coinmakers website explains.
He's miles off, ref: Marcus Tudgay was denied a goal for Nott'm Forest against Reading while assistant referee Sian Massey (below) signals an offside call
'As the offside rule is a perennial talking point, the image is designed to provoke discussion, which was what he was aiming for.'
The piece is in circulation but can be purchased separately in a limited edition presentation package on the Royal Mint website for ?2.99.
Limited edition: The commemorative 50p piece can be purchased as part of a special collectors pack from the Royal Mint
So if you do manage to get one of the rare keepsakes, hold onto it and save it for those potentially awkward moments when you have to explain the rule for the umpteenth consecutive time...
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