An attacker can be in an offside position without committing an offence straight away. The moment of a team-mate’s touch and what happens next are separate questions.
First, freeze the position
The reference point is when a team-mate plays or touches the ball, not when the attacker receives it. Head, body and feet count; hands and arms do not. Being level with the ball or the second-last opponent is onside. Use the first point of contact when a team-mate plays or touches the ball; if the goalkeeper throws it, use the last point of contact, at release.
Position alone does not stop play
The referee then judges involvement. Playing or touching the ball can interfere with play; clearly challenging for it, obstructing an opponent’s view or affecting an opponent’s ability to play it can also matter. A rebound or deliberate save may let a player who was already in an offside position gain an advantage. The decision depends on the actual phase. An opponent’s deliberate play requires control and the possibility of passing, gaining possession or clearing the ball. A controlled but inaccurate attempt can still be deliberate; a mere deflection is not. The exception is a deliberate save: an attempt to stop a ball going into or very close to the goal.
Three direct restarts are exceptions
There is no offside offence for receiving the ball directly from a goal kick, throw-in or corner kick. This applies to the direct receipt: if a team-mate plays the ball again afterwards, the position is assessed at that new touch.
A practical check
- At the team-mate’s touch, locate the halfway line, ball and second-last opponent.
- Do not stop at the position: check whether the player touches the ball or affects an opponent.
- After a deflection, save or new play, identify the relevant team-mate touch again.
- Check whether the ball came directly from a goal kick, throw-in or corner.