The offside rule — simply explained (3D)
About this app
Place players on the pitch, play “Pass!” and see in the freeze frame who is offside: a line at the second-last opponent, Law 11 in four steps. Seven situations, from level with the defender and the keeper off his line to passive offside.
With explain mode: an AI tutor walks you through the app, points out what matters in the scene and answers your questions.
What the offside rule says
Under Law 11 of the Laws of the Game, an attacker is in an offside position if, at the moment a team-mate plays or touches the ball, he is in the opponents’ half and nearer to their goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent. Head, body and feet count, arms and hands do not. Being level is not offside. An offside position alone is not an offence: the whistle only goes when the player becomes involved in active play, interferes with an opponent or gains an advantage. The sanction is an indirect free kick. There is no offside straight from a throw-in, goal kick or corner kick.
What the app shows
A 3D pitch with attackers, defenders and a goalkeeper. Press “Pass!” and the kick plays in slow motion, then the picture freezes like a photo. The offside line rises at the second-last opponent, or at the ball if it is further forward. A verdict with a flag or a tick appears above each attacker. In the “Rule” panel the four checks light up one after another. Then everyone runs on, and rings on the ground show where the players stood in the photo.
Try it yourself
Seven ready-made situations cover the typical cases and mistakes: basic case, level, goalkeeper off his line, cut-back from the goal line, striker in his own half, throw-in and an offside player who is not involved. Every player can be dragged with mouse or finger; while dragging he snaps level with an opponent. Tapping an attacker decides who gets the pass. This quickly shows that only the position at the pass counts.
Frequently asked questions
- When is a player offside in football?
- When, at the moment a team-mate plays the ball, he is in the opponents’ half and nearer to their goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent. It is only penalised if he then becomes involved in active play.
- Is level offside?
- No. An attacker who is level with the second-last opponent, or with the last two opponents, is not offside. Head, body and feet count, not the arms.
- Does the goalkeeper count as an opponent for offside?
- Yes. The goalkeeper is an opponent like any other. Usually he is the last one, so the deepest outfield player is the second-last. If the keeper rushes out and a defender stands on the goal line, the keeper himself can be the second-last opponent.
- What can I try out in this app?
- You set up players or pick one of seven situations, play the pass and see in the freeze frame where the offside line is and who is offside. A rule panel explains every verdict in four steps.
Subject: Sport & rules
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