How To Understand OFFSIDE In 2023 | Explained

The offside rule (known as the 'offside law') in football (aka soccer) can be hard to understand, especially as it seems to be updated and changed often. In this video, I breakdown five of the most important offside elements to help you better understand why players are called offside (or not!)
If you are not an English speaker, you can use the auto-translate function to translate the captions into your native language.
As always, if you're looking for a clear explanation with references to the Laws of the Game, I've got you covered.
I hope you enjoy the video and welcome your comments below. Don't forget to subscribe!
FREE eBook 'Effective Communication for Referees' - www.pauljspacey.com/ebooks
#offside #lawsofthegame #referee
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:22 Being In An Offside Position
1:06 Coming Back From An Offside Position
1:53 Deflection Or Deliberate Play
3:15 Opponent Playing The Ball
3:43 Offside Body Parts
4:25 Summary & Questions
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Offside is one of the laws in association football, codified in Law 11 of the Laws of the Game. The law states that a player is in an offside position if any of their body parts, except the hands and arms, are in the opponents' half of the pitch, and closer to the opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent (the last opponent is usually, but not necessarily, the goalkeeper).
referee
VAR
offside
offside law explained
offside rule explained
being in an offside position is not an offense
coming back from an offside position
deflection or deliberate play
what is a deliberate play in football?
opponent intentionally playing the the ball offside
body parts used to determine offside
can arms be offside?
can hands be offside?
which body parts can be offside?
what is the offside rule?
world cup offsides
video assistant referee
explanation
match officials
Fifa
laws of the game
La regla del fuera de juego (conocida como la 'ley del fuera de juego') en el fútbol (también conocido como fútbol) puede ser difícil de entender, especialmente porque parece actualizarse y cambiarse con frecuencia. En este video, desgloso cinco de los elementos de fuera de juego más importantes para ayudarlo a comprender mejor por qué los jugadores son llamados fuera de juego (¡o no!)
Si no habla inglés, puede usar la función de traducción automática para traducir los subtítulos a su idioma nativo.

[@PaulSpacey]

Did you know about these elements of the offside law already? Do you think the laws should be changed or updated?

[@amarathossion7329]

Brother would you please tell me how Di Maria's goal in Copa America final was onside

[@PaulSpacey]

From what I recall, VAR showed he was marginally onside. They didn’t have the same semi automated technology that was used at the World Cup though.

[@seamus4132]

Well, essentially an intentional play on the ball is not enough to negate the offsides. In addition the ball must be controlled by the play meaning that it travels in a way intended by the defender, allowing themself or another teammate to play the ball, or a clearance. For example if a defender deliberately plays the ball but it hits off their leg wrong and still ricochets behind them to the attacker, the flag should come up for offsides. Only if their deliberate play is a CONTROLled play, does it negate the offsides. I think it’s kind of a dumb new rule but at the certification clinics by USSF this year that is what they are telling us for how to interpret the LOTG.

[@davidcameron851]

Awesome video! Its very hard to understand the offside position but it's like I have to watch this video many many times and it will take me like 50 years to understand about the offside position

[@PaulSpacey]

Thanks David! Some of the offside scenarios are still tricky and confusing even for the most experienced officials, hence they sometimes make mistakes. It’s frustrating for fans and players/coaches; I completely get it.

[@moraymamakay]

Great information! Thank you for sharing!

[@PaulSpacey]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nburdsal]

This video is FIRE. Thanks.

[@PaulSpacey]

Glad you found it helpful! Cheers 🙌

[@lukusakazadi-christian8526]

BRILLIANT VIDEO !

[@PaulSpacey]

Thanks Lukasa!

[@muazzamshaikh2049]

Great video once again

[@PaulSpacey]

Thanks!

[@sudeepdawadi6194]

Thank you for the explanation sir.

[@PaulSpacey]

You are welcome 🙏

[@frankkawinga1013]

Great work I've learnt much from this video

[@PaulSpacey]

Thanks Frank!

[@popdaslo3]

I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT OFFSIDE IS😭

[@PaulSpacey]

You could argue hardly anyone does nowadays!

[@amarathossion7329]

Nice video brother 💓💓☺️ . Now please make video on goal with extra person on the field for those who don't understand.

[@PaulSpacey]

Thanks Amarat. Yes I included that in one of the World Cup review videos. Perhaps it can be it’s own video though, I’ll look into doing it.

[@somerandomdomino]

all the prem refs should watch this video

[@avi1766]

Very interesting, quite weird, but thanks!

[@PaulSpacey]

Laws of the game confuse lots of people, I wonder if that’s sometimes intentional!

[@TREX_xxx]

W video ❤

[@PaulSpacey]

Thanks! 🙏

[@nega9000]

Great video. As a parent I often have to be the line-o at my daughter's grassroots games. I can get a bit confused about whether an offside has occurred in situations where the offside trap has been successfully sprung by the attacking team and there is a pass from, eg, the winger to the striker. Is it only offside if the receiving player is in an advanced position of the ball when played? Any caveats to this?

[@PaulSpacey]

I’d argue being a lino is more difficult than being a center ref. So difficult watching the offside line and figuring out scenarios based on different phases of play etc. Important to remember that being in an offside position is not an offense. You can be offside but not receive the ball; one of your teammates receives it and then you return to an onside position, similar to the Messi situation from this video. There are many caveats, that’s what makes it difficult!

[@ianbenton8329]

Not mentioned but an attacking player cannot be called offside if that player is in their own (defensive) half of the field when ball is passed. And also, a player cannot be called offside from a sideline throw in “pass”.

[@PaulSpacey]

Yes they are more basic parts of the offside law that most people know and understand. This video was to explain some of the more obscure parts that people don’t always understand.

[@idontknow807]

Hello. I would like to know what "gaining possession of the ball" means. It means tackling/dribbling?

[@PaulSpacey]

Basically having a reasonable chance of passing or clearing the ball. Let’s say the ball is at or near your feet and you just make a mess of the clearance, that’s on you. It’s a subjective interpretation for the match officials to decide.

[@really4gt10]

Can you use your explanation and further comment on Casemiro's goal against Nottingham Forest? Does Bruno's header back to him make him "onside" just cause he is behind the ball but not behind an opponent player?

[@PaulSpacey]

Exactly. Casemiro is behind the ball and you cannot be offside in that situation, regardless of opponents.

[@really4gt10]

@@PaulSpacey so the player does not have to get "onside" behind the last opposition player like Messi in your video example? Teams can exploit this just by having a forward stay in offside position and wait for teammate to play the ball back to them, no?

[@PaulSpacey]

Yes. Standing in an offside position is not an offense in the laws of the game. And you cannot be offside as long as you are behind the ball when it is played.

[@ExpertSpeakerman]

⁠@@PaulSpaceyWhat counts as the ball being played? Please Explain more

[@DelinquentRevenge]

guys, i finally found it... *VIDEO WITH A YEAR IN IT THAT IS ACTUALLY THE YEAR IT IS UPLOADED AND MADE*

[@PaulSpacey]

Right! 😃

[@rioferdian7455]

Can you explain on offside based on indonesia vs korea match AFC U23 minute 7 ?

[@barcafanboy2283]

What does impact the defenders around mean??

[@PaulSpacey]

Cause them to make a decision/mistake or not be able to get to the ball because if their presence.

[@culerafi913]

What is "preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision"?

[@PaulSpacey]

Generally relates to a shot where the keepers LOV is impacted; of course can also relate to any player but rarely will an offside be called because a player other than the keeper couldn’t see the ball.

[@Zevurdel]

Thanks for the information. but i still have a question. does it count as offside if a player passed to thier teammate during a free kick? I'm still new to football

[@PaulSpacey]

Yes, a free kick doesn’t change anything in terms of offside being called. If the teammate is in an offside position when the free kick is taken and directly receives the ball, they will be called offside.

[@apg4gearhead]

Great explaination. Still a ridiculous rule, to have to inform in regular football. I get in professional football where there is that much money involved to hire people looking specifically for offside it makes it more competitive but in child soccer or regular soccer with just a team of teenagers it makes no sense since there is typically one judge in the middle of everything and they can't see shit so its just called randomly based on player suggestions near the ball

[@apg4gearhead]

My point can even be proved in your video from 5 months ago where a judge is strapped up with a mic during youth football sesh, and around 3:30 in the video you miss an offside

[@PaulSpacey]

Which rule is ridiculous? Offside in general? Without it, the game would be chaos. For most games in youth football, there are ARs to judge offside (they still make mistakes). One ref is less common although at younger ages it’s seen more. They still get *most* offside calls correct.

[@apg4gearhead]

@@PaulSpacey Yes, i was referring to offside. For regular football games in youth clubs or young people not playing for money or professionally there are no secondary people to keep an eye out for offside. At least not here in Denmark. It’s a single judge running around keeping an eye on every part of the game. Offside is therefore incorrectly called or missed a lot. I get that once you can afford to have people there to specifically focus on offside, the rule makes sense. My opinion is that it shouldn’t matter in games were no monetary gain is involved in the outcome of the game because then the rule allows for certain fuck ups that are just unneccesary and discourages players from just trying to score and aqquire the ball. It just an added thing to keep an eye out for when playing for fun/training. My point being if it can’t be inforced correctly i say leave it out.

[@renex_g3915]

​@@apg4gearheadoffside is necessary at all levels. If not, youth players will not understand the importance of the rule. And probably they will only camp besides the goal

[@apg4gearhead]

@@renex_g3915 Perhaps. I’m just getting frustrated when playing football and how often it is incorrectly called or missed leasing to opposition goals

[@davep4240]

Please explain how no offsides goal that Bruno Fernades scored against Man City today. I’m a United fan but not sure about the ruling there. Thanks again

[@PaulSpacey]

I just published a video showing the offside law for this incident, check it out!

[@davep4240]

@@PaulSpacey just saw it. Thanks. Yeah definitely some controversy there but all down to the referee’s discretion and it could have gone the other way if the game was played at the Ethiad

[@spatrick1441]

@@davep4240 i'd like to think the decision would have been the same (whichever way it went) at either ground - otherwise that is one ref that needs to be taken out of rotation :)

[@dipthongthathongthongthong9691]

Still a needlessly complicated law in terms of attacker and last defender. EVEN SHOULD BE ON! Whether the shoulder, the toe, the head etc can be used to score, or is ahead of play, whatever…. If there’s body OVERLAP between the players which can be seen on video, just make it ON.

[@PaulSpacey]

But if EVEN is on, we will still split hairs over what is even won’t we? Not sure what the solution is.

[@aidanjanemcintosh6919]

Offside rule is actually very very easy to understand if you play football regularly or just a fan. What's hard though is to explain it to those who's totally clueless.

[@PaulSpacey]

The basics of the offside law are easy to understand. Some of the complexities and lesser known elements are not so easy; hence coaches, players and fans argue about it often without knowing what the law/rule is for a particular incident.

[@aidanjanemcintosh6919]

@@PaulSpacey they were arguing hard because there are money and/or prestige involved. And anyway most (if not all) of the problem lies in the word 'deliberatly involved or not'.

[@PaulSpacey]

Of course and I don’t blame them for arguing hard over it. The subjectivity of assessing a deliberate play does cause opinion to be divided.

[@4400seriesFAN]

As Paul said here, no, it's not easy. The easy part is understanding the basics and the general idea of it. The rest are hard to both expkain AND understand, mainly because the department responsible for formulating these laws, in FIFA, change it about 1-2 times per year. Not only that, but no matter how many times theydefine it, there will still be new and unprecedented plays that need to be addressed for the next years. Trust me, even the referees and the people who teach these laws to referees and the people responsible for grading the referees' performance and even FIFA themselves can't agree and/or don't fully understand every situation and the interpretation of the Laws! And yes, I am being serious. The referees meet every week and learn the Laws and the changes in them and they are asked to make calls on plays from other games (not publicly, of course). The disagreements in these rooms are off the charts. Referees disagreeing with each other, the teachers and everybody else. They even disagree during the match and/or in half-time. And if you care to search it up, there are plenty of rules that FIFA put in the game and then removed them in the years soon after. Not all changes are good and they see that. So yeah, the offside rule is easy foe the basics, really hard for the rest of the complexities it has.

[@DenisDrip]

If somebody gets the ball and goes behind the last line of defense then passes it to somebody who just passed the last line of defense to assist him on his goal is that player offside?

[@jaiwat]

If an attacker passes the ball when his player is onside. Then that player receives it while offside. Should they be called offside? (Moving forward from an onside position and directly receiving the ball)

[@PaulSpacey]

Of course not. That’s the whole point of the offside law…the moment when the ball is touched/passed is all that matters.

[@jaiwat]

@@PaulSpacey thanks 👍🏻 we don’t follow soccer much in AUS

[@ytimeless_salad6307]

so if i’m coming back from an offside position i have to wait for a teammate to pass me the ball?

[@PaulSpacey]

Or the other team to intentionally play it.

[@user-um9dx4lv3x]

You did not clearly explain the difference between deliberate play and deflection, eg when a defender attempts to clear the ball but the clearance is unsuccessful or in accurate it s considered as deliberate play

[@PaulSpacey]

I showed a screenshot and explained that point in the video. If a clearance is unsuccessful or inaccurate it doesn’t mean it’s deliberate play; it depends on context, just like the video example. Each case is different and subjectively assessed by the officials.

[@Mehmet-uy8cr]

They should drop the deflection rule. Its too ambigous if you leave that to the refereree to decide. if the opposite team has touched the ball, intentionally or not, its not offside anymore.

[@PaulSpacey]

No, it can’t just be a case of opposition touching the ball. So if it takes a tiny touch and the defending player has zero control over that touch, offside should then be negated? No, that’s why the rule was implemented in the first place.

[@user-pj8ph4ik4e]

Yes the law should be changed,scrap it if necessary

[@PaulSpacey]

Scrap offside completely? Now there’s a stupid idea if ever I heard one. 👀

[@user-pj8ph4ik4e]

There is a difference between "if necessary" and completely.There are a lot of football fans who feel the same way about offside.There needs to be changes.

[@renex_g3915]

​@@user-pj8ph4ik4ethe changes are being made. Specially in regard of the deflection rule and the arms/hair rule

[@RoadTechNomad]

Dude thanks for clear explanation. If you dont mind me asking could you let me know about the position in the 4th minute 20th second of this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGiVfX2sf9airbcsi=cQjza8FP32CiGGRe It is not that clear but goalkeeper is touching the ball then there is a deflection from the defense after the goalkeeper. I would like to hear from you on that position thank you.

[@PaulSpacey]

Correct decision, offside at the time ball was played and keeper/defender never made a ‘deliberate play’ on the ball. Deliberate play is a subjective interpretation but has pretty clear guidelines.

[@RoadTechNomad]

That was exactly what i thought. Thanks for your answer.

[@kamarudinbinhanipah7918]

Its easy to understand but its not easy for the ref or his/her assistants to keep tracking the offside player on the pitch. A burden to the ref and assistants.

[@PaulSpacey]

Agreed!

[@anusharamu3777]

Honestly I’m so dumb I forgot behind the ball rule means the player is onside 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@PaulSpacey]

Easy one to forget!

[@anusharamu3777]

Thanks. Is it second last opponent or last opponent?

[@anusharamu3777]

Defender)

[@syariefhidayat2330]

Gol Bruno?

[@PaulSpacey]

Yes; check out video on the Bruno goal on this channel.

[@amenstal123]

Griezmann's offside call was a RIDICULOUS interpretation of the game when messi can remain onside after his OWN teammate passes him the ball but Griezmann was offside when his opponents passes the ball to him instead. NONSENSE !

[@PaulSpacey]

Both situations completely different. Griezmann was offside because it was not deemed a deliberate play by the defender, correctly so. The defender was pushed/impeded by the French player when trying to clear the ball. Messi was inactive and then came back to an active onside position. Nothing ridiculous about it.

[@amenstal123]

@@PaulSpacey You've just said what I mean. The rule shouldn't penalize reciepient of the ball coming from the opponent more than own teammate. The fact for whatever reason should someone in an onside position receives the ball from any source it should not be penalized. Griezmann's ruled out World Cup goal was conceptionally legitimate with no pre advantage attained whatsoever just as similar how messi got the ball from L.Martinez. And that was a deliberate play from a teammate. FLAWED RULING Itself IMO. (I didn't mean the explanation was ridiculous)

[@PaulSpacey]

I don’t disagree with the intention of what you are saying; it makes sense. But if someone is returning from an offside position and nobody else touches the ball, they have to be called offside. When a defender cannot clear the ball or connect properly because of being fouled or impeded, it’s not considered a touch, so essentially Griezmann touches it first after coming back from offside. You can see how this *could* result in an advantage for a player returning from an offside position if the law wasn’t written this way.

[@amenstal123]

@@PaulSpacey Yes can't disagree it is technically correct but when you can receive the ball from teammate like how messi did it and then is deemed legit, it is IMO conceptionally flawed.

[@PaulSpacey]

I disagree but respect your opinion. The old offside law caused frustration and many people wanted change; now the new law causes frustration and many people want change. Impossible situation.

[@drdassler]

You're assuming that everyone already knows the basic principle of being offside?

[@PaulSpacey]

Already lots of videos on KZbin showing the basics. Hence I did a video showing the lesser known parts of the law.

[@yoshuareynaldo2295]

I know this video is kind of a 'reply' on that American guy comparing Messi and Richarlison's situation. 😂😂 When i see that guy actually quote that article that Richarlison PLAYED the ball and thinking that his and Messi's situation are the same and thinks that fingers are valid for offside (also comparing it to Modric's situation), i immediately didn't bother to reply. It's shocking how many fans still are confused about this rule, really. Certainly not helping USA's stereotype 'soccer' bantering in any way either. I'd probably support them if Netherlands are out earlier though.

[@PaulSpacey]

Lol no this video was simply a result of seeing so many fans confused over different offside elements. And to be honest, even I learned a bit more about ‘deliberate play’ that I wasn’t fully aware of previously. But you’re right; the guy comparing Messi and Richarlison doesn’t understand the clear differences between their situations 😉

[@yoshuareynaldo2295]

@@PaulSpacey Oh sorry then. I thought since you are a north american, this is some kind of 'correction' of that user's vid. 😅😅 Funny thing is i think the user's vid was in my recommended list because of i watched your presentation.

[@PaulSpacey]

😅 no it’s ok; I’m actually English but I’ve lived in California for 10 years.

[@Diegoxmerinoo]

How about if you’re behind the defence but the ball is infront of you is it offside?

[@PaulSpacey]

providing you are behind the ball, you cannot be offside.

[@seamus4132]

As a referee, you may need to update your video. FIFA just passed a new clarification explaining that a deflection does not negate offsides anymore - only if the defender deliberately plays the ball AND in a controlled manor. So if they try to head the ball and it scuffs off of them to an offside player, the flag should come up for offisdes.

[@PaulSpacey]

I don't think I state anywhere in the video that a deflection does negate offside? There is an explanation on deliberate play. Can you let me know which part of the video specifically needs updating?

[@seamus4132]

Well, essentially an intentional play on the ball is not enough to negate the offsides. In addition the ball must be controlled by the play meaning that it travels in a way intended by the defender, allowing themself or another teammate to play the ball, or a clearance. For example if a defender deliberately plays the ball but it hits off their leg wrong and still ricochets behind them to the attacker, the flag should come up for offsides. Only if their deliberate play is a CONTROLled play, does it negate the offsides. I think it’s kind of a dumb new rule but at the certification clinics by USSF this year that is what they are telling us for how to interpret the LOTG.

[@PaulSpacey]

Yes I’m aware of the guidance supporting deliberate play; I think this video covers that though. It’s still a subjective area and so we likely won’t have great consistency in the application of it among referees.

[@davidsonna9502]

The offside rule is the worst part about this sport. "What's the point of football?" "To kick the ball into the goal" "Kick the ball towards the goal, then." "What are you crazy!?!? The opponent is standing there and if you pass it past him it'll hurt his feelings."

[@PaulSpacey]

Tell me you don’t understand the game without telling me…

[@davidsonna9502]

@@PaulSpacey Why is Australian football great without an offsides rule? Why is basketball great without offsides?

[@PaulSpacey]

Completely different games 🤦‍♂️

[@user-pj8ph4ik4e]

There are a lot of persons who oppose offside law which indeed need to be changed.Scap it if necessary,the word completely was not used, but "if necessary".

[@renex_g3915]

Imagine trying to watch a game where 11 dudes are just standing waiting for the ball inside the box. Literally the 50% of the pitch would not be used

[@leo-messi61]

How about korea vs germany match in world cup 2018 first gial, referee allowed goal to korea just because it was touched by German defender

[@PaulSpacey]

It’s a subjective decision based on the circumstances and referee interpretation of the law and guidance.

[@leo-messi61]

@@PaulSpacey but why did they denied Greizman's goal against tunisia then🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️

[@user-ob2dj5tm1u]

Naaa offside is a illusion it's fake not real 😂😂😂😂

[@PaulSpacey]

Klopp agrees! 😉