The offside rule keeps attackers from simply camping by the opponent’s goal. It’s simple in principle but produces some of football’s fiercest debates.

The Basic Rule

A player is in an offside position if they are nearer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last defender at the moment a teammate plays the ball to them. (The goalkeeper is usually the last defender.)

Being Offside vs Being Penalised

Being in an offside position isn’t an offence by itself — it’s only penalised if the player becomes involved in active play: touching the ball, interfering with an opponent, or gaining an advantage.

When You Can’t Be Offside

  • In your own half of the pitch.
  • Directly from a throw-in, corner kick or goal kick.
  • If you’re level with the second-to-last defender.

Why It’s Controversial

Split-second timing and millimetre VAR lines mean tight offside calls regularly decide big matches — which is exactly why fans never stop arguing about them.