Figurations, tension‐balance and the flexibility of football rules

Abstract

The aim of this article is to investigate the applicability of the concept of figurations developed by Norbert Elias (and Eric Dunning), which states that the norms/rules of both sport and society are at the same time rigid and flexible. This will be accomplished through a discussion of Elias's conception of society and the relation of this notion to the sociological analysis of sport developed by the present author of its rules. The article also involves an empirical illustration of Elias's thought about the relevance of the sociological study of sports rules, with an emphasis, for present purposes, on the association football (‘soccer’) offside rule.