If you have watched a game of soccer before, I am sure you’ve wondered what offside is. I am here to tell you all you need to know so that you can be an informed fan of Husky soccer.
According to Law 11 of FIFA’s Laws of the Game, a player is in an offside position if he or she (any part of the head, feet or body) is closer to the opponent’s goal line than the second to last defender and the ball – and he is in the opponent’s half of the field.
That is the official rule, but it’s confusing, so let me explain it better. The offside rule in soccer is a way to ensure fair play and prevent goals from players hanging in front of their opponent’s goal. A player is considered offside if they are closer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last defending player (usually the goalkeeper is last the last defender) when the ball is played to them.
It is not a violation merely to be in an offside position. It only becomes an offense if the offside player gains an advantage from being in that position or interferes with an opponent. The rule is applied to encourage skillful gameplay while preventing unfair advantages.
If a player is deemed offside, the opposing team is awarded a free kick or an indirect free kick, depending on the location and circumstances of the offside offense. The free kick is taken from the place where the offside violation occurred.
We asked a few hockey players what they think the offside rule is, and this is what they had to say.
“If you’re behind the defense of the other team before your teammate plays the ball,” Pete Moore ’24 said.
“Doesn’t the ball have to cross before you?” asked Ritter Coombs ’25.
“The player has to be in front of the last defender before the ball is played,” said Will Schneid ’25.
So, obviously our hockey players need this explainer. They have the idea of it correct, but not 100%.
Here is a diagram and a short video of what is an offside position and what is not:
