How to Know the Soccer Offside Rule
The rules of soccer are easy to understand for players and fans alike, except for the dreaded offside rule. An offside call is one of the most difficult soccer calls for players and fans to understand. Explore the offside rule and attempt to gain an understanding of this complicated soccer rule.
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Instructions
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Stay on your team's side of the soccer field and you will never be in an offside position. To be offside, a player must be in active play and on the opposing team's side of the field.
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Look to see which players on the opposing team's side of the field are in active play. See who is interfering with the players on the opposing team, trying to gain an advantageous position on the field or actively engaged in moving the soccer ball.
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Watch the opposing team's defense. Look for two defensive players between the soccer ball and the goal. If only one defensive player, normally the goalkeeper, is between the ball and the goal, conditions are right for an offside call.
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Position yourself between the ball and the goal when only one defensive player from the opposing team is on the opposing side of the field with you. This is a potential offside situation.
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Distract the goalie, block an opposing player from taking a defensive position or look the wrong way at the ref and force an offside call. A penalty call gives the defending team an indirect free kick.
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Stay behind the soccer ball or even with the last defender to prevent an offside call. A goal made while offside does not count. Remember, you are offside if you are closer to the goal than the ball and the second last defender.
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