The offside rule explained: when a player is offside, the exceptions and how semi-automated offside works

The offside rule — Law 11 of the Laws of the Game — causes more arguments than any other. It is actually simpler than it looks. There are just two questions: was the player in an offside position, and was he involved in play?

Question 1: was the player in an offside position?

A player is in an offside position if, at the moment a team-mate plays or touches the ball:

1. any part of his head, body or feet is in the opponents' half (not counting the halfway line), and
2. that part is nearer to the opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent.

The "second-last opponent" is usually the last outfield defender, because the goalkeeper is normally the last. Level is onside.

Arms and hands don't count. The line is drawn using parts of the body a player can legally score with. For the arm, the boundary is the bottom of the armpit.

Question 2: was the player involved?

Being in an offside position is not an offence by itself. A player is only penalised if he becomes involved in active play by:

• Interfering with play — playing or touching the ball passed or touched by a team-mate.
• Interfering with an opponent — for example blocking the goalkeeper's line of sight, challenging for the ball, or making an obvious action that affects the opponent's ability to play it.
• Gaining an advantage — playing the ball after it rebounds or deflects off the goalpost, crossbar, match official or an opponent, or after a deliberate save.

If a player in an offside position stands still and does nothing, there is no offence — which is why you will see linesmen wait before raising the flag.

The exceptions

There is no offside if a player receives the ball directly from:

• a goal kick,
• a throw-in, or
• a corner kick.

Also, if a defender deliberately plays the ball — a pass, a clearance or a miscontrol, but not a deliberate save — the phase is reset and an attacker who was in an offside position can no longer be penalised for it.

What happens when a player is offside?

The opposition get an indirect free kick from where the offence happened.

How semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) works

The Premier League introduced semi-automated offside technology on 12 April 2025, at Manchester City against Crystal Palace, after first using it in England in the FA Cup fifth round.

• About 30 cameras around the stadium track players' positions.
• Software finds the moment the ball was played and the relevant body parts of the attacker and the second-last defender.
• The system produces a 3D graphic showing the line, which the VAR checks and confirms.

The Premier League's refereeing principles for 2026-27 ask for more efficient use of the technology to cut delays. Read about the other 2026-27 changes in our guide to the Premier League's new rules.

Common myths

• "He was level, so he's offside." No — level is onside.
• "His arm was off." Arms and hands are ignored.
• "He was offside but didn't touch it, so it's fine." Not always — blocking the goalkeeper's view or challenging for the ball is still an offence.
• "You can't be offside in your own half." True — a player who is in his own half when the ball is played can never be offside.

FAQ

Is level onside? Yes. A player level with the second-last opponent, or level with the ball, is onside.

Can you be offside from a throw-in? No. There is no offside from a throw-in, a goal kick or a corner.

Do arms count for offside? No. The arm is excluded up to the bottom of the armpit.

What is the punishment for offside? An indirect free kick to the other team.