Is it Offside?
The offside rule in soccer, detailed under Law 11 of the IFAB Laws of the Game, is crucial for maintaining fair play. Here’s an in-depth look at this rule:
Offside Position
A player is in an offside position if:
- Any part of their head, body, or feet is in the opponents’ half (excluding the halfway line).
- Any part of their head, body, or feet is nearer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent.
Note: The hands and arms of all players, including the goalkeepers, are not considered for offside determinations. The upper boundary of the arm is defined as being in line with the bottom of the armpit. This exclusion ensures clarity and fairness, as the hands and arms cannot legally play the ball, thus should not impact the offside judgment.
Offside Offence
A player in an offside position at the moment the ball is played or touched by a teammate is penalized if they become involved in active play by:
- Interfering with play: Playing or touching the ball passed or touched by a teammate.
- Interfering with an opponent: Preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by obstructing the opponent’s line of vision, challenging an opponent for the ball, or making a clear attempt to play the ball which impacts the opponent.
- Gaining an advantage: Playing the ball or interfering with an opponent when the ball has rebounded or been deflected off the goalpost, crossbar, or an opponent, or been deliberately saved by any opponent.
No Offence Situations
There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from:
- A goal kick.
- A throw-in.
- A corner kick.
Deliberate Play vs. Deflection
A player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent who deliberately plays the ball, including by deliberate handball, is not considered to have gained an advantage unless it was a deliberate save. A “deliberate play” is defined as having control over the ball with the possibility to pass, gain possession, or clear the ball.
Sanctions
If an offside offence occurs, the referee awards an indirect free kick to the opposing team from where the offence occurred, even if it’s in the player’s own half of the field.
For detailed guidelines, refer to the official IFAB documentation and FIFA’s Laws of the Game.