[talkSAFT]

Can anybody with more knowledge of recent rule changes explain the following.
A goalkeeper having gathered the ball, then often places it on the ground with a view to kicking it upfield.

I presume that he isn't allowed to pick it up again if suddenly challenged by an opposition forward.

If he gathers the ball last played by the opposition, there's nothing to stop him picking it up whenever he likes.
If he gathers a ball last played by his own side he can't pick it up. (Foster should have been penalised with indirect free kick on Saturday, but the ref somehow missed it!)

When did that rule change.

It seems that most modern goalkeepers prefer to kick a ball off the turf rather than out of hand.

And as for the modern interpretation of the offside rule; well I give up.

I think most do, Silver. I know when a player's off, but I tried explaining the Law to my Mrs a couple of years ago, and she said "Yeh - right"