It can be difficult determining whether a player is offside. Since offside is called often in goal-scoring opportunities, making the right call can be a key turning point in the game. The offside rule is one of the big reasons that referees have assistants, to keep track of when a violation of the rule occurs. The offside rule in soccer might seem complex, but the basic idea and the reasons it exists are fairly simple.
Positioning
Offside occurs when an offensive player is the second-closest player, usually after the opposing goalkeeper, to his opponent's goal line. To be offside, the player also must be closer than the ball to the goal line. Simply being in this position does not make you offside, but rather the violation is called when a player is actively involved in the play at hand. Active involvement occurs when the ball is played in the vicinity of the offside player, which is determined by the referee. If a player is determined not to be involved in the play, the referee might choose to not call offside.
Making the Call
The center referee is ultimately responsible for making the call of whether a player is offside, but the assistant referees can help greatly. The assistant referees are instructed to stand in line with the deepest defensive player, making it easier to tell when an offensive player stands between the goal line and the second-to-last defensive player. The assistant referee signals the call by extending his flag outward, and the defense gets to take a free kick from the spot where the player was called offside.
Offensive Strategy
The offside rule prevents players from lingering close to the goal in hopes of gaining an advantage over the defense. This rule forces teams to use their players in a strategic fashion to work down the field, rather than simply kicking the ball to an unmarked player close to the goal. Many times, aggressive teams will align one or more attackers with the last line of defense to help ensure that their player will be in an onside position when the ball is played.
Defensive Strategy
Successful teams use the offside rule to their advantage in what is called an offside trap. If the offensive team is pushing forward, aligning their strikers with the last line of defense, the defense can take advantage of the offense's aggressiveness. Players on an experienced defense can communicate with one another and step forward past the striker before the ball is played, forcing the offense into an offside position. This strategy works especially well with a flat-back defense, rather than playing with a deep sweeper.
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