What is the offside rule in soccer?

The offside rule in soccer is designed to prevent players from gaining an unfair advantage by staying too close to the opponent’s goal without active involvement in the play. According to this rule, a player is considered offside if they are nearer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender at the moment the ball is played to them by a teammate, **unless** they are in their own half of the field. To be more specific, a player is only penalized for being offside if they are actively involved in the play by receiving the ball, interfering with an opponent, or gaining an advantage from their position. The rule does not apply if the player receives the ball directly from a goal kick, corner kick, or throw-in. The offside position is judged at the exact moment the ball is passed, not when the player receives it. The main purpose of the offside rule is to encourage teamwork and strategic play rather than “goal-hanging” or waiting near the goal for an easy scoring opportunity. When a player is flagged offside, the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick from the place where the offside occurred. Understanding this rule is fundamental for both players and fans to appreciate the flow and fairness of the game.