The offside rule is probably the most debated law in football. I have watched experienced referees and fans argue about it for years, and even now, the nuances trip people up. Let me break it down in a way that actually makes sense.
The Basic Rule
A player is in an offside position if:
- They are in the opponents’ half of the pitch
- They are nearer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball AND the second-last opponent
Being in an offside position is not an offence in itself. The offence only occurs if the player becomes actively involved in play.
When is it Actually Offside?
A player in an offside position is penalised if, at the moment the ball is played by a teammate, they:
- Interfere with play - by playing or touching a ball passed or touched by a teammate
- Interfere with an opponent - by preventing them from playing the ball, clearly obstructing their line of vision, or challenging them for the ball
- Gain an advantage - by playing the ball that rebounds off a post, crossbar, or opponent
Common Misconceptions
“Level is Onside”
Correct. If any part of a player’s body that can legally play the ball (head, body, feet, not arms) is level with or behind the second-last opponent, they are onside.
“You Cannot Be Offside from a Goal Kick”
Correct. There is no offside offence from:
- Goal kicks
- Throw-ins
- Corner kicks
“You Cannot Be Offside in Your Own Half”
Correct. A player cannot be in an offside position if they are in their own half of the field.
The Second-Last Opponent Rule
Why “second-last” and not “last”? Because the goalkeeper usually counts as one. If the keeper is the last opponent, then the outfield defender becomes the second-last opponent.
But what if the goalkeeper is up for a corner? Then the two outfield players closest to goal become your reference points.
Deliberate Play vs Deflection
This is where it gets tricky. If a defender deliberately plays the ball (not a deflection or save), any prior offside position is reset.
Deliberate play: Defender has time to control the ball, make a decision, passes or clears it - new phase of play begins.
Deflection: Ball bounces off defender unexpectedly - original offside still counts.
Practice Makes Perfect
Understanding the offside rule intellectually is one thing. Making split-second decisions in a match is another. That is where RefereeGPT helps - scenario-based questions that train your decision-making for real match situations.
Want to test your offside knowledge? Try RefereeGPT free - 5 questions daily, no card required.