In soccer, a player is in an offside position if any part of their head, body or feet is in the opponent’s half (excluding the halfway line) and nearer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent. Being in an offside position is not an offense by itself. It only becomes an offense if, at the moment a teammate plays or touches the ball, the player then becomes involved in active play, for example by playing the ball, interfering with an opponent or gaining an advantage. The punishment is an indirect free kick to the defending team. Once you understand those two steps, position first and involvement second, most offside decisions make sense.
Rulebook note: Offside is covered by Law 11 of the IFAB Laws of the Game. This guide summarizes the main points; competitions may use technology such as VAR or semi-automated offside systems, and small-sided youth formats sometimes modify or remove offside, so check your league rulebook.
When offside is and is not an offense
| Situation | Offside offense? |
|---|---|
| Level with the second-last opponent | No |
| Level with the last two opponents | No |
| In your own half when the ball is played | No |
| Receiving the ball directly from a throw-in, goal kick or corner kick | No |
| Behind the ball when it is played | No |
| Ahead of the ball and second-last opponent, then playing a teammate’s pass | Yes |
| In an offside position and clearly blocking the goalkeeper’s line of vision | Yes, interfering with an opponent |
| In an offside position and playing a rebound off the goalkeeper or post | Yes, gaining an advantage |
Step 1: is the player in an offside position?
The first question is purely about position at the moment a teammate plays or touches the ball. A player is in an offside position if all of the following are true:
- They are in the opponent’s half of the field.
- Any part of their head, body or feet is nearer to the opponent’s goal line than the ball.
- Any part of their head, body or feet is nearer to the opponent’s goal line than the second-last opponent.
The second-last opponent is usually the last outfield defender, because the goalkeeper is typically the last opponent. However, if the goalkeeper has come out, the second-last opponent could be a defender on the line or even the goalkeeper. The hands and arms of all players, including goalkeepers, are not considered when judging offside position. For this purpose, the upper boundary of the arm is in line with the bottom of the armpit.
Step 2: is the player involved in active play?
A player in an offside position is penalized only if they become involved in active play by one of the following:
- Interfering with play: playing or touching the ball passed or touched by a teammate.
- Interfering with an opponent: for example, preventing an opponent from playing the ball by clearly obstructing their line of vision, challenging them for the ball, clearly attempting to play a ball close to them when this affects the opponent, or making an obvious action that clearly impacts the opponent’s ability to play the ball.
- Gaining an advantage: playing the ball or interfering with an opponent after the ball rebounds or is deflected off the goal frame, a match official or an opponent, or after a deliberate save by an opponent.
A player in an offside position who is not involved in play, for example standing on the far side of the field away from the action, is not committing an offense. This is why referees and assistant referees often wait to see how play develops before flagging.
The deliberate play exception
One of the more confusing parts of the law involves defenders. If a player in an offside position receives the ball after an opponent deliberately plays it, the player is generally not penalized for gaining an advantage, because the defender’s deliberate play resets the situation. The exception is a deliberate save: if the ball comes to the attacker after a deliberate save by any opponent, the attacker can still be penalized. Deciding whether a defender deliberately played the ball, or simply deflected it, can be difficult, and the Laws provide guidance based on factors such as whether the player had control of their movements and time to see the ball.
What happens after an offside offense
When an offside offense occurs, the referee awards an indirect free kick to the defending team where the offense occurred, even if that is in the offending player’s own half. The assistant referee usually signals by raising the flag and then indicating the area of the field where the offense happened. Offside is not a disciplinary matter, so it does not lead to a caution by itself.
How officials judge offside
Assistant referees follow the line of the second-last defender along the touchline, so they are in the best position to judge whether an attacker is ahead of it. They watch for the moment the ball is played, then look to see where the attacker is. Because both players and the ball can be moving quickly, offside decisions are among the hardest in soccer. In competitions that use VAR, clear and obvious offside errors related to goals can be reviewed, and some top competitions use semi-automated offside technology to produce faster and more consistent decisions.
Step-by-step: how to avoid being offside as an attacker
- Watch the defensive line, especially the second-last defender.
- Watch the passer so you know when the ball will be played.
- Time your run so you are level with or behind the defender as the pass is made.
- Run on a curve along the line to stay onside while waiting for the pass.
- Check your position after each attack, moving back onside quickly if you were ahead.
- Communicate with the passer about when you want the ball.
The offside trap
Defending teams sometimes use the offside trap, stepping up together just before an opponent passes so that attackers are left in an offside position. When it works, it wins the ball back cheaply. When it fails, often because one defender does not step up or the timing is wrong, it leaves attackers through on goal. It requires good organization and communication, which is why many teams use it sparingly.
Why the offside rule exists
The offside law stops attackers from simply waiting near the opponent’s goal for long passes. Without it, the game would likely become a series of long balls to players stationed near the goalkeeper. Offside encourages teams to build attacks and makes timing and movement key attacking skills. The law has been refined many times over the history of the game, and debates about possible future changes continue.
Common misunderstandings
- Thinking being in an offside position is always an offense. It is only an offense if the player becomes involved in play.
- Judging offside when the ball is received. It is judged when a teammate plays or touches the ball.
- Counting the arms. Hands and arms are not considered.
- Believing you can be offside from a throw-in or corner. You cannot be offside when receiving the ball directly from these restarts or from a goal kick.
- Thinking level is offside. A player level with the second-last opponent is onside.
Frequently asked questions
Can you be offside in your own half?
No. A player cannot be in an offside position in their own half of the field.
Is level with the defender onside?
Yes. A player level with the second-last opponent, or level with the last two opponents, is not in an offside position.
Can you be offside from a throw-in?
No. There is no offside offense if a player receives the ball directly from a throw-in, goal kick or corner kick.
