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| In football, a player is '''offside''' if he is in his opponents' half and has fewer than two opposing players (including the goalkeeper) between himself and the opposition goal (these players would be ''playing him onside''), unless the ball is also between him and the goal. Any players he is in line with can also play him onside. | In ], a player is '''offside''' if he is in his opponents' half and has fewer than two opposing players (including the goalkeeper) between himself and the opposition goal (these players would be ''playing him onside''), unless the ball is also between him and the goal. Any players he is in line with can also play him onside. | ||
| The offside rule means a player who is offside is committing a foul, unless he is deemed to be ''not interfering with play''. In particular, a goal will be disallowed if a player was offside during its set up. | The offside rule means a player who is offside is committing a foul, unless he is deemed to be ''not interfering with play''. In particular, a goal will be disallowed if a player was offside during its set up. | ||
Revision as of 18:20, 24 February 2003
In football (soccer), a player is offside if he is in his opponents' half and has fewer than two opposing players (including the goalkeeper) between himself and the opposition goal (these players would be playing him onside), unless the ball is also between him and the goal. Any players he is in line with can also play him onside.
The offside rule means a player who is offside is committing a foul, unless he is deemed to be not interfering with play. In particular, a goal will be disallowed if a player was offside during its set up.
The offside rule is often cited in the UK as something women are unable to understand. However, many men also have a shaky grasp of the law.
The offside trap
The offside trap is a defensive tactic, for which Aresenal are particualarly famed. If an attacking player is making a run up the field with another player ready to kick the ball up to him, then the defenders will move up-field, making the player offside.