What is the offside rule?

The offside rule in soccer is designed to prevent attacking players from gaining an unfair advantage by staying too close to the opponent’s goal without enough defenders between them and the goal. Simply put, a player is in an offside position if, at the moment their teammate passes the ball to them, they are nearer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender (usually the last outfield player), excluding the goalkeeper. However, being in an offside position is not an offense by itself. A player is only penalized for offside if they become actively involved in the play by interfering with an opponent, gaining an advantage from their position, or playing the ball. The rule does not apply when a player receives the ball directly from a goal kick, corner kick, or throw-in. The offside rule encourages fair play and strategic positioning, ensuring that players cannot simply “goal-hang” near the opponent’s goal waiting for a pass. It promotes teamwork, timing, and tactical movement during attacking plays, making the game more dynamic and competitive.