Click on this picture for a video about offside mechanics
A common term for team was "side" - so that offside meant "away from the team"
The idea was that a player should not just stand around the goal waiting for a teammate to send the ball to him so he could score.
The attacker is closer to the goal line than the defender
Closer to is based on any body part that can play the ball, like legs, feet or head
Arms do not count!
- Is completely in their own half of the field of play
OR
- Is even with the second to last defender
OR
- is even with the last two defenders
OR
- Is behind the ball
A player in an offside position is only penalized if, at the moment the ball is touched or is played by a teammate, the player is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by....
