Law 11·offside

Offside

A player is offside if any part of their body that can score a goal is closer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last defender at the moment the ball is played.

The full rule

Offside is judged at the exact moment the ball is played by a teammate, not when the player receives it. Only body parts that can legally score — head, torso, legs — count. Arms do not. A player cannot be offside from a goal kick, corner kick, or throw-in. Being level with the last defender is onside. VAR uses lines to determine the position of the furthest forward body part.

Key points

✓Judged at the moment the ball is played, not when received
✓Arms are not considered — only scoreable body parts
✓Level with the defender is onside, not offside
✓No offside from goal kicks, corners, or throw-ins
✓Must also be involved in active play to be penalised

Scenarios

Shoulder past the defender

An attacker's shoulder is one centimetre past the last defender when the through ball is played.

Correct call: Offside. The shoulder is a body part that can score and it is past the defensive line.

Common mistake: Assuming the player is onside because the difference is too small to matter. There is no margin — any part past the line counts.

Verdict:offside

Offside position but not involved

An attacker is in an offside position but the ball is played to a teammate on the other side of the pitch who scores.

Correct call: Goal stands. The offside player did not interfere with play or an opponent.

Common mistake: Flagging offside just because a player was in an offside position. Position alone is not enough — they must be involved.

Verdict:onside

Ball played from a corner

An attacker is standing behind the goalkeeper when a corner kick is taken.

Correct call: Onside. You cannot be offside directly from a corner kick.

Common mistake: Flagging offside because the player is clearly past all defenders. The corner kick exception overrides position.

Verdict:onside