Offside Rule

The offside rule in soccer prevents players from hanging near the opponent’s goal to gain an unfair advantage. A player is offside if, at the moment the ball is played to them, they are closer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender, and they are involved in active play. This rule encourages fair play and strategic positioning, ensuring players stay part of the team’s organized movement rather than waiting near the goal for easy scoring opportunities. Offside is only called if the player is actively involved in the play at the moment the pass is made.