Soccer, also popularly known as football, is a widely played sport across the globe and is being followed by billions of fans. Playing soccer is quite simple: There are 11 players on both sides. Besides the goalkeeper, the remaining players are not allowed to touch the ball with their hands. All they need to do is to place it back on the net more times than their opponents.
But there is one specific rule – offside – that has kept many confused, especially the newcomers. Here’s taking a look at what offside means in soccer and why it is needed in the game.
Offside rule: What it means?
While newcomers simply don’t understand it, some of the long-time followers of the sport also remain in doubt about it. Referees have been provided training to spot it live during games, but at times even they end up looking at replays to ensure that their decision was right.
A footballer is said to be offside when they remain in the attacking half, with any part of their head, body or feet closer to the other side’s goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent, according to the Football Association (FA).
In case a player is found to be offside, then the opposition side gets an indirect free-kick. However, the footballer must be either in contact with the ball or considered active when their team is possessing the ball.
“For the purposes of determining offside, the upper boundary of the arm is in line with the bottom of the armpit,” as per FA.
Here’s a classic example of offside in soccer:
In the video, the player from the red side is standing past the last defender from the blue side when the ball is passed to him. This means, the player is standing in an offside position. Ultimately, the referee will blow the whistle, while the blue team will get possession of the ball.
Offside rule: Key exceptions to note
The offside rule is not applied whenever a player is level with the second-last opponent or the last two players on the other side.
Also, it does not apply in cases of corner kicks, goal kicks or throw-ins.
During soccer games, assistant referees remain placed on either sideline of the field in opposition halves. Whenever they notice an offside infringement, they raise the flag. Post that, the referee stops the game and enforces the decision. Also, video assistant referee (VAR) play a key role nowadays in notifying referees whenever a player scores a goal or influences gameplay from an offside position.
While VAR enforces the offside rule across multiple leagues and competitions, FIFA introduced the semi-automated offside technology during the World Cup Qatar 2022.
Semi-automated offside technology: How does it work?
It serves as a major support tool for the video match and on-field officials to make accurate decisions related to offside rule. Under this, a dozen tracking cameras are mounted underneath the roof of each stadium. Altogether, these are ulitised to track the ball and 29 data points on each player, as per Inside FIFA.
A 3D animation is created through these data points that helps officials understand better whether a player was in an offside position or not. During the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the animations were displayed on the big screens at the stadiums for fans to know the decision.
Offside rule: When it started?
The offside rule has been a part of the sport since 1863 when the Football Association made the laws of the game. Since then, multiple changes have been made to it, but the basics continue to remain the same.
In 1990, a key amendment was made to the rule. Post that, even attacking players were deemed onside if the referee found them even with the second-last opposing players.
Another change in the offside rule came up during the 2003/04 season, when it was stated that a player will be allowed to stay in an office position, but he must ensure that he is not “actively involved” in the game, as per BBC.
Encouraging fair play in the spot, offside rule might appear confusing to many, but it does play a big role in preventing players from camping out in front of the goal.
While it does appear frustrating at times for both the players and their fans, the offside rule has certainly provided an extra layer of depth to the sport, keeping it fair and more balanced across the pitch.