What is the offside rule in soccer?
The Basics
The offside rule in soccer (football) is designed to prevent players from camping near the opponent's goal. A player is in an offside position if any part of their head, body, or feet is in the opponent's half and closer to the goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent (usually the last defender, often the goalkeeper is the last).
However, being in an offside position is not an offense by itself. The player must become 'involved in active play'—for example, by receiving a pass, interfering with an opponent, or gaining an advantage from that position.
When It's Called
The referee or assistant referee (linesman) signals offside when the offense occurs. The free kick is awarded to the opposing team at the spot of the infraction. In recent years, VAR (Video Assistant Referee) has been used to review offside decisions, often with tight margin calls.
Offside is judged at the moment the ball is played by a teammate, not when the player receives it. So a player can run back from an offside position to receive the ball, but if they were offside when the pass was made, it's still an offense.
Exceptions and Nuances
There is no offside directly from a goal kick, throw-in, or corner kick. Also, a player level with the second-last opponent is not offside—they must be clearly ahead.
The rule can vary slightly in different competitions (e.g., some youth leagues may not enforce offside), but the core principle is consistent worldwide under FIFA Laws of the Game.
Common mistakes
- Thinking a player is offside just for being in an offside position—they must be involved in active play.
- Believing offside applies on throw-ins, goal kicks, or corners—it does not.
- Assuming the goalkeeper is always the last defender; the second-last opponent could be a field player if the goalkeeper is out.
