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The Offsides Rule in Soccer

It is not an offence in itself to be in an offside position.
A player is in an offside position if:
• he is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball
  and the second last opponent
A player is not in an offside position if:
• he is in his own half of the field of play or
• he is level with the second last opponent or
• he is level with the last two opponents

A player in an offside position is only penalized if, at the moment the
ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of
the referee, involved in active play by:
• interfering with play or
• interfering with an opponent or
• gaining an advantage by being in that position

There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from:
• a goal kick
• a throw-in
• a corner kick

In the event of an offside offence, the referee awards an indirect
free kick to the opposing team to be taken from the place where the
infringement occurred (see Law 13 – Position of Free Kick).