The Offside Rule in Soccer Explained in Plain English
What offside really means, when it is and is not an offence, which restarts are exempt and how VAR and semi-automated technology help officials decide.
Offside is the most debated rule in football (soccer), but the basic idea is simple: attackers should not be able to wait next to the opponent’s goal and have the ball passed to them. Here is how it works under the Laws of the Game, which are set by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).
When is a player in an offside position?
A player is in an offside position if, at the moment a teammate plays or touches the ball, any part of their head, body or feet is:
- in the opponents’ half of the pitch (not counting the halfway line), and
- nearer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent.
The goalkeeper usually counts as one of the opponents, so in most cases the key defender is the last outfield player. Hands and arms are not counted when judging position, because players do not play the ball with them.
If a player is level with the second-last opponent or level with the last two opponents, they are not offside.
Being in an offside position is not an offence
This is the part many fans miss. A player is only penalised if, at the moment the ball is played by a teammate, they become involved in active play by:
- interfering with play, for example by playing or touching the ball,
- interfering with an opponent, such as blocking their line of sight or challenging for the ball, or
- gaining an advantage by playing a ball that rebounds off a post, the crossbar or an opponent.
If an attacker is standing in an offside position but does nothing to influence play, there is no offence.
When you cannot be offside
A player cannot be offside if they receive the ball directly from:
- a goal kick,
- a throw-in, or
- a corner kick.
And, as noted above, a player cannot be offside in their own half.
The punishment
If the referee decides a player is offside, the opposing team gets an indirect free kick from where the offside player was when the ball was played.
How technology helps
Offside decisions can be extremely close, and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is used in many competitions to review goals and key incidents. Some tournaments also use semi-automated offside technology, which uses cameras and sensors to track players’ limbs and the ball to speed up and improve accuracy. The on-field referee still makes the final call, informed by the video official.
Quick summary
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can you be offside in your own half? | No |
| Can you be offside from a throw-in, goal kick or corner? | No |
| Is level with the second-last defender offside? | No |
| Is it an offence just to be in an offside position? | No, only if you become involved in play |
Frequently asked questions
Can you be offside from a throw-in?
No. A player cannot be offside directly from a goal kick, a throw-in or a corner kick.
Can you be offside in your own half?
No. A player is only in an offside position if they are in the opponents' half of the pitch.
What happens when a player is penalised for offside?
The referee awards an indirect free kick to the defending team from the place where the offside player was when the ball was played.
