Offside Rule

The offside rule in soccer (football) ensures fair play by preventing players from gaining an unfair advantage. A player is offside if they are nearer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender when the ball is played to them, unless in their own half. They are not offside if level with the second-last defender or receiving the ball directly from a throw-in, corner, or goal kick. Being offside is only penalized if the player interferes with play, an opponent, or gains an advantage from their position.