| Offside rule explained | | | | Image example: |
| As a soccer fan, you probably can confirm that one | | | | Player Z passes ball to player A, but because player |
| of the trickiest rules in soccer is the offside rule. | | | | A is closer to the goal line of the opponents’ |
| I don’t know anymore how many times | | | | team then the 2nd last opponent, the referee will |
| I’ve been asked to explain it. And whenever you | | | | have to blow his whistle for the offside position. |
| are trying to explain it to other people, I keep on | | | | If Player Z should passed the ball to player B, then |
| coming back to using paper and a pencil to visualize it. | | | | Player A would also be in an offside position, but the |
| FIFA explains the offside rule like this: | | | | referee won’t blow the whistle, because he |
| It is not an offence in itself to be in an offside | | | | isn’t actively taking part in the play. And player B |
| position. A player is in an offside position if:he is | | | | isn’t in an offside position. |
| nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the | | | | How about the offside position with a throw-in? |
| ball and the second last opponent. | | | | This is simple, whenever you need to throw the ball |
| So what does this mean in plain English? | | | | into the play again, you can’t be offside. |
| First line of the FIFA rule says: It’s not wrong to | | | | But it can get complicated |
| be in an offside position, as long you don’t have | | | | If Player Z shoots the ball towards the goal and |
| the ball or intent to get the ball. | | | | player A doesn’t interfere the path off the ball, |
| Second line explains the rule itself: If you stand | | | | player A isn’t offside. However, if Player A is |
| between the last opponent (the goalie) and the 2nd | | | | blocking the line of sight of the opponent goalie or |
| last opponent of that team, at the moment the ball | | | | interferes the path off the ball, the referee has to |
| is being passed to you, you’re in an offside | | | | whistle for offside. |
| position. | | | | I hope I explained the offside rule and not made it |
| The image explains it much better. | | | | more complicated to understand. |
| | | | If there are any more questions about this, just ask. |