What Is Not Considered an Offside?

What Is Not Considered an Offside?

Understanding football rules is essential for enjoying the beautiful game. The offside rule is often the most debated topic in matches. However, knowing what is not considered an offside can change how you view the game. There are specific exceptions where a player can be in an offside position but not commit an offense. This guide clarifies these situations, helping you argue your case like a pro referee. We will explore the specific scenarios, set pieces, and player actions that nullify an offside call.

You must distinguish between being in an offside *position* and committing an offside *offense*. A player can stand behind the last defender all game without breaking the rules. The offense only happens if they become involved in active play. Furthermore, there are specific restarts and field locations where the rule simply does not apply. Mastering these details helps fans and players alike understand the flow of the match better.

Field Position Exceptions

Start by looking at where the player is standing. Not every position on the field triggers the rule. Understanding the geography of the pitch is the first step to knowing what is not considered an offside. Referees look at the player's body relative to the halfway line and the ball. If you meet specific positional criteria, the flag stays down. Here are the primary positional exceptions you need to know.

1. The Own Half Rule 📌You cannot be offside if you are standing in your own half of the field. Even if you are miles ahead of the opponents, as long as you have not crossed the halfway line when the ball is played, you are safe.
2. Level with the Second-Last Opponent 📌If you are level with the second-last defender (usually the last field player), it is not offside. The attacker must be clearly ahead of this line to be penalized.
3. Level with the Last Two Opponents 📌In rare cases, if you are level with the last two opponents simultaneously, you are considered onside.
4. Behind the Ball 📌You are never offside if you are behind the ball when it is passed. This often happens during 2-on-1 breakaways where the ball carrier squares a pass to a teammate.
5. Arms and Hands Exclusion 📌Referees do not consider arms and hands when drawing the offside line. Only body parts that can legally score a goal (head, body, feet) count toward an offside decision.
6. Leaving the Field of Play 📌If an attacking player steps off the field of play to show they are not involved, they are not considered offside until they re-enter and re-engage properly.

In short, checking the player's position relative to the field and the ball is crucial. These are the most common reasons a linesman keeps their flag down during a fast-paced attack.

Set Piece Restarts

There are specific ways to restart the game where the offside rule is completely suspended. These are tactical goldmines for coaches. Knowing what is not considered an offside during these set pieces allows teams to create dangerous scoring chances without fear of a whistle.

1. The Throw-In Exception 📌This is the most famous exception. You cannot be offside directly from a throw-in. An attacker can stand right next to the goalkeeper, and if a teammate has a long throw, it is perfectly legal.
2. The Goal Kick Rule 📌When your goalkeeper takes a goal kick, you can stand anywhere on the pitch. Receiving the ball directly from a goal kick is never an offside offense.
3. Corner Kicks 📌You cannot be offside from a corner kick. Since the ball is placed on the goal line (the furthest point of the field), everyone is technically behind the ball or level with it.
4. Dropped Balls 📌While rare in modern football tactics, receiving a ball directly from a referee's dropped ball restart does not trigger an offside offense immediately.

Using these restarts effectively can catch a defense sleeping. Defenders often try to step up to set a trap, but during a throw-in or goal kick, that trap is useless.

Passive Offside and Involvement

A player can stand in an offside position for minutes without being penalized if they do not interfere with the game. This concept is often called "passive offside." The referee only blows the whistle if the player becomes active. Here is how you can stay in an offside position legally.

• No Interference with Play If you do not touch or play the ball passed by a teammate, you are not offside. You can let the ball roll past you to an onside teammate.
• No Interference with an Opponent You are safe if you do not block the defender's line of vision or physically challenge them for the ball.
• Gaining No Advantage If the ball rebounds off a post or crossbar and you were not in an offside position when the original shot was taken, you are free to play it.
• Deliberate Play by Defender If an opponent deliberately plays the ball (passes or kicks it) and it falls to you, the offside is reset. You are now free to score.
• Deflections vs. Saves Be careful here. A deflection is different from a save. However, if a defender deliberately tries to clear the ball and slices it to you, it is not offside.
• The Goalkeeper's Line of Sight Simply standing near the goal is not enough. You must actively block the keeper's view to be penalized. If you are out of the way, play continues.
• Receiving a Backward Pass If your teammate runs past the defense and passes the ball backward to you, the offside rule does not apply because you are behind the ball.

Understanding these nuances separates casual fans from experts. A player standing "miles offside" might be doing nothing wrong if they simply ignore the ball, allowing a teammate to run onto it.

The "Deliberate Play" Factor

One of the most confusing aspects for fans is when a defender touches the ball. To understand what is not considered an offside, you must look at the defender's intent. If a defender makes a conscious effort to play the ball and fails, the attacker is no longer offside. This rule rewards attackers for the defender's mistakes.

However, a "save" by a goalkeeper or a defender acting as a goalkeeper does not reset the offside. But if a center-back tries to pass the ball and accidentally kicks it straight to an offside striker, the goal stands. This distinction creates many controversial moments in modern football.

 Referees look for "control" and "intent." Did the defender have time to react? Did they move their leg toward the ball? If the answer is yes, the attacker is safe. This specific interpretation has evolved over the years to encourage more attacking play and goals.

Note: The laws of the game change slightly every season regarding "deliberate play." Always check the latest IFAB updates, but generally, a bad pass by a defender is a gift to the attacker, regardless of their position.

Common Myths Debunked

Many myths surround the offside rule. Clearing up these misconceptions helps you understand what is not considered an offside with total clarity. Television commentators sometimes get these wrong, adding to the confusion. Let's look at the facts.

1. Arms are Offside?👈 False. You can lean forward with your arms ahead of the defender. As long as your head, body, or feet are level, you are onside.
2. The Goalkeeper is the Last Man?👈 False. The rule counts "opponents." Usually, the keeper is the last one, but if the keeper rushes out, the last defender becomes the "keeper" for offside purposes. You need two opponents between you and the goal line.
3. Offside on a Penalty?👈 Impossible. A penalty kick is a set piece duel. The offside rule does not exist during the taking of a penalty kick itself.
4. Running from an Onside Position?👈 True. It does not matter where you catch the ball, it matters where you started when the pass was made. If you were onside when the ball was kicked, you can run past everyone to receive it.
5. Rebounds from Referees?👈 If the ball hits the referee and bounces to an offside player, it is treated as if the teammate passed it. The offside offense would stand in this specific rare case, unlike a defender's play.
6. VAR Lines are Perfect?👈 While technology is advanced, the frame rate of cameras can sometimes miss the exact millisecond the ball leaves the foot, creating "tight" calls that are technically debated but legally final.

By knowing these myths, you can watch the match with confidence. The Assistant Referee (linesman) has a split second to decide, and they are trained to look for these specific exceptions.

Tactical Advantages

Smart teams use the knowledge of what is not considered an offside to break defensive lines. Coaches drill players to curve their runs or step back into an onside position at the last second. Understanding the "phases of play" allows attackers to reset themselves.

• Curved Runs.
• Delayed Runs.
• Holding the Line.
• Passive Screening.
• Resetting Position.
• Throw-in Routines.
• Corner Short Options.

Remember: Football is a game of margins. Knowing the rules better than your opponent gives you a mental edge. If you are a player, never stop playing until you hear the whistle. If you are a fan, these rules explain why some "obvious" offsides are actually valid goals.

 So, the next time you see a striker standing alone behind the defense, do not scream at the TV immediately. Check if it was a goal kick, a throw-in, or if they were simply in their own half. The details make all the difference.

Conclusion: In summary, mastering the offside rule requires understanding the exceptions. Knowing what is not considered an offside enhances your appreciation of tactical football. From throw-ins and goal kicks to the crucial "own half" rule, these exceptions allow the game to flow and encourage attacking creativity.

Always keep your eye on the position of the ball and the second-last defender. Whether you are a player trying to time your run or a spectator analyzing a VAR decision, these guidelines are your ultimate reference. Football rules may seem complex, but the exceptions are clear and logical once you learn them.