What is offside in football? Know how the rule works

2023-08-25 12:23:52

Know how the offside rule works in football

O offside concept is one of the most intriguing and often misunderstood aspects of football. Many fans, and even players at amateur levels, have questions regarding what constitutes an offside situation and when it applies.

The rule was introduced at the end of the 19th century to prevent “cherry-picking”, a tactic where the attacker would simply remain close to the opponent’s goal, waiting for a pass. This made it easier for him to get closer to the goal, without being impeded by competitors, and score the point.

Over time, the rule underwent several modifications to adapt to the modern game, always maintaining its main objective: to make football a fairer and more strategic game.

Anyway, want to know more regarding how this complex rule works? Continue reading with us!

What is offside in a football game?

It is one of the most discussed and complex rules in football. Basically, it occurs when a player is in an offside position at the moment the ball is touched or played by a teammate and then engages in active play.

The rule was created to prevent offensive players from being positioned behind the opposing defense waiting for a pass, without participating in the construction of the play.

How is the bathtub defined?

For a player to be considered in an offside position, he must be closer to the opponents’ end line than both the ball and the penultimate defender at the moment the ball is touched or played by a teammate.

However, being in an offside position is not an offense in itself; the referee only applies the offside rule if the player in question is involved in “active play”, which includes receiving the ball, interfering with an opponent or gaining advantage of his position.

Also remember that there is no offside if the player receives the ball directly from a goal kick, throw-in or corner kick.

What is offside goal?

A goal is considered “offside” if the player scoring or actively participating in the play was in an offside position when the ball was touched by one of his teammates.

When an offside goal happens, the match is stopped and an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team. The goal is therefore disallowed.

It is one of the most controversial and debated moments in a football match, often requiring meticulous analysis to determine whether or not the player was in an offside position.

What is the function of the impediment?

Offside has several strategic and tactical functions in football. First, he discourages “cherry-picking” or “bathtubing”, which is the act of an attacker standing close to the opponent’s end line waiting for a pass.

This in turn encourages a more collective game where players need to work together to move up the field and create scoring opportunities. Additionally, the rule helps keep the game exciting by forcing teams to constantly change formations and strategy.

The offside rule also adds a layer of tactical complexity to the game, for both attackers and defenders.

Attackers need to have an excellent sense of positioning and timing, while defenders can use the rule to their advantage to catch attackers in an offside position, known as the ‘high line’.

Content: Futemax | live football

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