A simple rule in soccer, offside can be complicated to explain. A player can be called offside in several instances, some of which are judgement calls by the referee. In May 2011, the International Federation of Association Football, or FIFA, opened discussions on eliminating certain cases of offside. Because many American soccer leagues follow the FIFA rules, any changes to offside by the governing body will affect U.S. players.
The Ball and Other Players
If you are in the half of the field closest to your goalkeeper, you cannot be offside. If you are over the halfway line but the ball is not, you are offside. When attacking your opponent's goal, you must be even with or behind both the ball and the second-to-last defender of the other team, his goal tender normally being the last defender. If you are in control of the ball, you can only be between the ball and your opponent's goal if your back is to the net.
Moment of Play
Offside calls are made in relation to the moment your teammate plays the ball. For example, if you are in an onside position but then overtake the second-to-last defender just as your teammate passes the ball, you are not offside. If you run ahead of the second-to-last defender a second before your teammate kicks the ball to someone else, you are offside.
Active Play
FIFA rules state that you must be involved in active play to be called offside. If, by being offside, you gain an advantage over your opponent, you are subject to the rule even if you are not near the ballhandler. If you interfere with play through your offside position, you are considered in active play. Finally, if your offside position blocks the view of or otherwise impairs an opponent, the referee can call you for it.
Exceptions and Consequences
You can be called offside during a free kick, but not if you are the recipient of the ball through a corner kick, goal kick or throw-in. When you pass the ball backward and end up in an offside position, you will not be called for it unless a teammate passes the ball back to you before you get onside. An indirect free kick from the location of the call is the penalty for an offside ruling.
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