Offside

1. Offside position

Being in an offside position is not itself an offence. A player is in that position when part of the head, body or feet is in the opposing half, excluding halfway, and nearer the opposing goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent.

Arms and hands do not count, including a goalkeeper's; the arm begins at the level of the bottom of the armpit. Being level with the second-last opponent or the last two opponents is onside.

2. Offside offence: involvement and timing

Judge position at the first contact when a team-mate plays or touches the ball; for a goalkeeper's throw, use the final contact instead. Penalise an offside-positioned player only when they become actively involved.

• Playing or touching a ball last played or touched by a team-mate is interference with play.
• Interference with an opponent includes clearly obstructing vision, challenging for the ball, clearly attempting to play a nearby ball in a way that affects an opponent, or an obvious action that clearly affects the opponent's ability to play it.
• A rebound or deflection from a post, crossbar, official or opponent does not reset offside. Neither does an opponent's deliberate save.

2. Deliberate play and saves

An opponent's deliberate play, including deliberate handball, can remove the offside advantage, except when it is a deliberate save. Deliberate play means sufficient control to have the possibility of passing, gaining possession or clearing. An inaccurate or unsuccessful controlled action can still be deliberate play.

Relevant signs include a clear view of a ball arriving from distance, manageable speed, an expected direction and time to coordinate the body rather than instinctively stretch or jump. A ground ball is generally easier to control than an aerial one.

A save is stopping or attempting to stop a ball heading into or very near the goal, using any body part other than hands or arms, except a goalkeeper in their own penalty area.

2. Offside versus other offences

An offside-positioned player who obstructs an opponent's route to the ball commits offside if this affects that opponent's ability to play or challenge. Moving into the opponent's path to block progress may instead be a Law 12 offence.

If such a player is fouled before playing, attempting to play or challenging for the ball, penalise the foul first. If they are already doing one of those things, the earlier offside offence takes priority.

3. Direct-receipt exceptions

There is no offside offence when receiving the ball directly from a goal kick, throw-in or corner kick.

4. Offences and sanctions

Restart an offside offence with an indirect free kick where involvement occurred, even if that is in the player's own half.

A defender who leaves without permission is treated as being on the goal line or touchline until the next stoppage, or until their team plays the ball towards halfway and it is outside the penalty area. Deliberate departure also earns a caution at the next stoppage.

An attacker may stay outside the field to avoid involvement. If returning from the goal line and becoming involved before the same reset conditions, treat the attacker as on the goal line. Deliberately leaving and re-entering without permission to gain an advantage also earns a caution if not penalised for offside.

A stationary attacker inside the goal does not automatically invalidate a goal: it counts unless that player commits offside or a Law 12 offence, which determines the appropriate indirect or direct free kick.