Quick Scoop

A goal is offside when the attacking player was in an offside position at the moment a teammate played the ball, and that player then became involved in the play. Being simply in an offside position is not enough by itself; the player has to affect the action, such as by receiving the ball or interfering with an opponent.

What counts as offside

A player is in an offside position if any part of the head, body, or feet is nearer to the opponentsā€™ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent, and the player is in the opponentsā€™ half. Arms and hands do not count for this decision.

When a goal gets ruled out

The usual ā€œoffside goalā€ happens when:

  1. A teammate passes the ball.
  2. The attacker is already beyond the second-last defender at that exact moment.
  3. The attacker then touches the ball or interferes with play.

The key moment is the pass, not the finish. If the player was onside when the ball was played, the goal can stand even if they run beyond defenders afterward.

Common exceptions

Offside does not apply directly from a goal kick, throw-in, or corner kick. A player also cannot be offside in their own half.

Simple example

If a striker is behind the defenders when the pass leaves the teammateā€™s foot, that is onside. If the striker is ahead of the second-last defender at that instant and then scores, the goal is likely offside.

TL;DR

A goal is offside when the scorer was beyond the second-last defender at the moment of the pass and became involved in play from that position.