Offside

A player is offside if any part of their body that can score a goal is closer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last defender at the moment the ball is played.

The full rule

Offside is judged at the exact moment the ball is played by a teammate, not when the player receives it. Only body parts that can legally score — head, torso, legs — count. Arms do not. A player cannot be offside from a goal kick, corner kick, or throw-in. Being level with the last defender is onside. VAR uses lines to determine the position of the furthest forward body part.

Key points

✓Judged at the moment the ball is played, not when received
✓Arms are not considered — only scoreable body parts
✓Level with the defender is onside, not offside
✓No offside from goal kicks, corners, or throw-ins
✓Must also be involved in active play to be penalised

Scenarios

Scenario 1

Shoulder past the defender

Offside

An attacker's shoulder is one centimetre past the last defender when the through ball is played.

Correct call: Offside. The shoulder is a body part that can score and it is past the defensive line.

Common mistake: Assuming the player is onside because the difference is too small to matter. There is no margin — any part past the line counts.

Scenario 2

Offside position but not involved

Onside

An attacker is in an offside position but the ball is played to a teammate on the other side of the pitch who scores.

Correct call: Goal stands. The offside player did not interfere with play or an opponent.

Common mistake: Flagging offside just because a player was in an offside position. Position alone is not enough — they must be involved.

Scenario 3

Ball played from a corner

Onside

An attacker is standing behind the goalkeeper when a corner kick is taken.

Correct call: Onside. You cannot be offside directly from a corner kick.

Common mistake: Flagging offside because the player is clearly past all defenders. The corner kick exception overrides position.