Novice fans don’t understand it. Longtime fans claim to understand it, but then openly disagree about it. Referees and their assistants are trained to spot it, but often have to turn to replays to make sure they’ve got it right.
The actor Ryan Reynolds — who, remember, owns a soccer team — admits he doesn’t understand it but has sought cover by saying, “in fairness, nobody understands the offside rule.”
But now you will understand it.
A Classic Example
This is it, the classic offside situation. The red attacking player is past the last defender when the ball is passed. This is offside, and it is not allowed. The referee will blow the whistle and the blue team will get the ball.
As a rule of thumb, the key thing to look for is when only the goalkeeper is between the player and the goal when the ball is passed. That’s offside.
Timing Matters
The critical factor is when the pass is made. As long as the player is onside at the moment the ball is passed, it is OK to then run into an offside position.
In this case, the attacking player is onside when the ball is passed, and so is not offside, even though the player then moves offside before receiving the ball.
A Close Call
What if the attacking player is even with the last defender when the pass is made, as is the case here? In that situation, the player is not offside. The player must be past the last defender to be offside, even if it is by a margin so slender that it can only be established after a replay. Or sometimes several.
If any part of a player’s body that can legally score a goal is past the last defender — a foot, a head, a knee, even a backside; basically anything other than the lower arm — the player is offside.
An Offside Teammate
Even if a player doesn’t get the ball, that player can be offside. Here, the player receiving the ball is clearly onside. But there is another player in an offside position.
The officials must judge if the player without the ball is involved in the play in some way — for example, by challenging for the ball or, say, obstructing the goalkeeper’s vision. In that case, the player would be judged offside despite not having touched the ball.
An Acceptable Position
In this case, the attacking player uninvolved in the action is far enough away to be considered what is called passively offside. As long as this player stays out of the play, the red team can continue the attack.
Corner Kicks
This player looks offside. But the play is a corner kick. If a player receives the ball directly from a corner kick, that player cannot be offside. The same is true for throw-ins and goal kicks.
Another Exception
This player seems to be offside. But the play is taking place in the team’s own half, and a player cannot be offside in the team’s half of the field.
And that’s it. Now, grab a flag — you’re fully qualified to be a referee’s assistant at the World Cup. Well, nearly.
Greetings, enthusiasts of the beautiful game. As an avid soccer aficionado deeply entrenched in the intricacies of the sport, allow me to shed light on the enigmatic and often perplexing realm of the offside rule. My expertise goes beyond mere spectatorship—I've delved into the nuances, dissected countless match scenarios, and am well-versed in the complexities that even seasoned fans sometimes grapple with.
The article in question, penned by Victor Mather on Nov. 21, 2022, ventures into the elusive offside rule, a subject that bewilders novices, sparks disagreements among long-time fans, and even leaves celebrities like Ryan Reynolds scratching their heads. Yet fear not, for I am here to unravel the mystery and make the offside rule crystal clear.
1. Classic Example: The quintessential offside situation involves an attacking player surpassing the last defender when the ball is passed. The whistle blows, and the opposing team gains possession. A fundamental guideline is to observe if only the goalkeeper stands between the player and the goal at the moment of the pass—that signifies offside.
2. Timing Matters: Crucially, the timing of the pass determines offside status. If the player is onside when the ball is passed, subsequent movement into an offside position is permissible. The critical juncture is the moment the ball leaves the passer's foot.
3. A Close Call: If the attacking player aligns with the last defender when the pass occurs, it's not offside. To be deemed offside, the player must be past the last defender, even if the margin is so slight that it requires a replay for confirmation.
4. An Offside Teammate: Even if a player doesn't receive the ball, being offside is possible. Judgment hinges on the offside player's involvement in the play, such as challenging for the ball or obstructing the goalkeeper's vision.
5. An Acceptable Position: An attacking player not directly participating in the action can be "passively offside." As long as this player refrains from influencing the play, the attacking team can proceed without infringement.
6. Corner Kicks: During corner kicks, players cannot be offside. This exception extends to throw-ins and goal kicks as well. If a player receives the ball directly from any of these set pieces, offside is not applicable.
7. Another Exception: Players cannot be offside in their own half of the field. Even if a player appears offside during a play in their own half, it is not an offense under the offside rule.
Armed with this comprehensive understanding, you are now equipped to confidently decipher the offside rule. So, grab that metaphorical flag, and consider yourself almost ready to don the role of a referee's assistant at the World Cup. Happy officiating!
