Sports Talk

Info: offside explained in 60 seconds, because I'm tired of arguing about it

You're offside if, when a teammate plays the ball to you, any part of your body you can score with is closer to the goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender (the keeper usually counts as one).

Not offside: in your own half, level with that defender, or receiving directly from a throw-in, goal kick or corner.

Being in an offside position isn't an offence by itself. You have to be involved: playing the ball, blocking the keeper's view, or clearly trying to play it. That last part is where all the arguments start.