What is The Offsides Rule in Soccer?

Whether you’re a rookie playing or a fan cheering, it’s important to understand the basics of the offside rule in soccer. Get the full rundown on what offside is, when it can be called, and how it’s evolved over the years.

The basics of the Offside rule in soccer

An attacking player with possession of the ball is offside if they are behind the second-to-last defender (the goalkeeper being the last defender) when the ball is passed. Offside can only occur on the attacking side of the field. An easy way to think of it is to draw an imaginary line between the last defender and the goalkeeper. If the attacking player is behind it, then they are offside.

What happens after a referee calls offside?

After the referee blows the whistle, the opposing team gets an indirect free-kick. They must pass to another teammate before they can score a goal.

When can Offsides not be called?

There’s an exception to every rule. Here are few:

• A player can’t be called offside if they receive the ball from a corner-kick, a throw-in or a free-kick.

• Offside can only occur on the opponent’s side of the field.

• If the play happens in the attacking team’s half of the field, then it is not considered offside.

• If an attacking player’s teammate is technically offside, but not involved in the play, then it won’t be called.

• As long as they continue to stay out of the play, the attacking player can continue with the play.

The evolution of Offside

The Offside rule was introduced in 1863. Over the years, it’s gone through many changes, with one of the largest being in 1990. That’s when it was determined that an attacking player is onside if they are level with the second-to-last player.

While Assistant Referees are placed on both sidelines to help call offside, there’s still a level of human error that will happen. Enter VAR (Video Assistant Referee): Introduced to the match by many leagues and FIFA. It places multiple tracking cameras around the stadium and a sensor on the ball. It then uses data points on each player to generate a 3D animation that creates a replay. It helps referees with close calls and is also shown to stadium spectators so they can see why Offside was called.

Ultimately having an offside rule gives a match much more depth and interest. It requires teams to have more strategy which makes a game that much more fun to watch. Offside is also just one of many rules in soccer that you should understand.

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