What is the offside rule in soccer?

Welcome to the exciting world of soccer! The offside rule can indeed be confusing at first, but it’s an important part of the game that helps keep play fair and prevents players from just hanging out near the opponent’s goal waiting for a pass. **Here’s a simple explanation of the offside rule:** A player is considered **offside** if, at the moment their teammate passes the ball to them, they are closer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender. Usually, the second-last defender is the last outfield player because the goalkeeper is typically the last line of defense. Being “closer to the goal line” means the player is ahead of the defenders, nearer to the opponent’s goal, when the ball is played. However, a player is **not offside** if: - They are level (in line) with the second-last defender or the ball. - They receive the ball in their own half of the field. - They receive the ball directly from a goal kick, corner kick, or throw-in. If a player is offside, the referee stops play and awards an indirect free kick to the defending team from the spot where the offside occurred. **Why does the offside rule exist?** It prevents “goal-hanging” — where attackers just wait near the goal for easy scoring chances — encouraging more teamwork and skillful play. I hope this helps clarify the offside rule! Watching a few clips or matches while paying attention to player positions can also make it easier to understand over time.