As a Pros Soccer Club parent, do you ever have a question on the rules of the game?
Soccer (known as football outside of the US) has been played in various forms throughout history in all parts of the world. Modern soccer started in England in the mid 1800’s when rules were established to control the game. Soon afterwards, offside was added to these rules to prevent ‘camping out’ in front of the goal.
Offside is the most misunderstood rule in soccer. Below is a brief explanation of offside. A more comprehensive explanation with diagrams can be found on either of the following web sites:
- A player is in an OFFSIDE POSITION if he/she is closer to the goal line than the ball or two opponents (usually one is the goalie).
- A player will be CALLED FOR OFFSIDE if the player is in an OFFSIDE POSITION and the player touches the ball or interferes with the play.
- A player cannot be offside on a corner kick, goal kick, or throw in.
- A player cannot be offside if he/she is in his/her own half.
- A player cannot be offside if he/she is dribbling the ball.
Here is an informative website to help parents navigate offside, hand ball, and other rules:
Official soccer rules can be found on the FIFA and other web sites:
Refereeing a game is a difficult job. The ref must continually make subjective decisions that may alienation one team or another. Make a commitment to understand the rules of the game. And most importantly, let’s give the ref’s break.
