What Is The Offside Rule In Soccer?

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HomeHome, Auto, & Hobbies ArticlesSports & Recreation ArticlesSoccer ArticlesWhat Is the Offside Rule in Soccer?ByScott Murray Updated2022-01-14 21:40:20From the bookSoccer For DummiesShare

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Download E-BookSoccer For Dummies Explore Book Youth Soccer For Parents For Dummies Explore BookBuy NowBuy on AmazonBuy on WileySubscribe on PerlegoDownload E-BookSoccer For DummiesExplore Book Youth Soccer For Parents For DummiesExplore BookBuy NowBuy on AmazonBuy on WileySubscribe on PerlegoThe offside rule is the most debated soccer principle (no matter where the game is played), even though what is known as Law 11 isn't terribly difficult to grasp. Here’s what offside is all about:

A player is caught offside if he’s nearer to the opponent's goal than both the ball and the second-last opponent (including the goalkeeper) when his teammate plays the ball to him. In other words, a player can’t receive the ball from a teammate unless there are at least two players either level with him or between him and the goal or unless his teammate plays the ball backwards to him.

It’s not an offense in itself to be offside. A player is only penalized for being offside if he is deemed to be involved in active play. So a player can only be called offside if he is:

• In the opposition’s half.

• Interfering with play (that is, he’s part of the attacking move).

• Interfering with an opponent (that is, he’s preventing the opponent from defending against the attacking move).

• Gaining any advantage by being in that position.

A player can’t be offside from a goal kick, throw in, or corner.

About This Article

This article is from the book: 

Soccer For Dummies

About the book author:

Scott Murray is a soccer writer for Guardian, Fiver, GQ and Men’s Health. He is author of two soccer books, And Gazza Misses The Final, and The Title: The Story of the First Division.

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