What is the offside rule in soccer?

The offside rule in soccer states that a player is in an offside position if they are in the opposing team's half and closer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent, with the goalkeeper usually being the last player^[1][5]. Being in an offside position is not an offence in itself; a player only commits an offside offence if they become involved in active play after the ball is played by a teammate while they are in that offside position. This can include touching the ball, interfering with an opponent, or gaining an advantage^[5][6].

A player is considered to be onside if they are level with the second-last opponent or if there are at least two opposing players closer to their goal line when the ball is played^[3][4]. There are also specific situations where a player cannot be offside, such as receiving the ball directly from a goal kick, throw-in, or corner kick^[2][5].

The assistant referees help to enforce this rule by signaling when an offside offence occurs, but the final decision rests with the main referee^[1][5]. The interpretation and application of the offside rule can often lead to confusion and debate among players, coaches, and fans alike^[3][4].