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Football (Soccer) vocabulary · Rules, Fouls & Match Time

Offside

Meaning in football (soccer), with examples

/ˌɒfˈsaɪd/adjectiveCore term

In football (soccer), offside means: Describes an attacker who, in the opponents' half, is nearer their goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent when a teammate plays the ball, and then takes part in play.

In Turkish: ofsayt

How it is used

Used as an adjective (he was offside, an offside goal) and as a noun (the offside rule). The assistant referee raises the flag, and VAR can check tight offside calls. Being level with the second-last defender is onside. There is no offside from a goal kick, throw-in or corner.

Example sentences

  1. The goal was ruled out because the striker was offside.

  2. Stay level with the last defender or you'll be caught offside.

Common collocations

  • caught offside
  • offside position
  • offside flag
  • offside rule
  • ruled out for offside
  • offside trapA defensive tactic in which defenders step up together just before a pass is played, leaving attackers in an offside position.
  • assistant refereeOne of the two officials who run along the touchlines with a flag, signalling offside, throw-ins, goal kicks and fouls the referee may have missed.
  • VARVideo assistant referee: officials who watch replays and advise the referee about clear and obvious errors in key, match-changing situations.
  • high lineA defensive set-up in which the back line stays far up the pitch, keeping the team compact and catching attackers offside, but leaving space behind.

More terms: Rules, Fouls & Match Time

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