This is Part 11 of Sports Explained, our 12-part series of simple guides to the rules of the sports Indians love. New here? Start with Part 1: Cricket Formats, or read the previous part, Part 10: Chess Ratings and Titles.
Football is the world's most popular sport, and its fan base in India keeps growing, from Kolkata derbies to the ISL. Yet one rule still confuses even long-time fans: offside. Add VAR to the mix and every close call becomes a debate. Here is how both work.
Offside in one sentence
A player is in an offside position if, at the moment a teammate passes the ball, any part of their head, body or feet is in the opponent's half and closer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent. The goalkeeper usually counts as the last opponent.
Key details
- Arms and hands don't count when judging position. Only parts of the body you could legally score with are used.
- Level is onside. Level with the second-last defender, or level with the ball, is fine.
- What matters is the moment the ball is played by a teammate, not when the player receives it.
- You cannot be offside in your own half.
Offside position isn't always an offence
Standing in an offside position is not an offence by itself. The referee only penalises the player if they become involved in active play, which means:
- playing or touching the ball,
- interfering with an opponent, for example by blocking the goalkeeper's line of sight or challenging for the ball, or
- gaining an advantage, for example by playing a ball that rebounds off the post or the goalkeeper.
When offside never applies
- Directly from a goal kick.
- Directly from a throw-in.
- Directly from a corner kick.
The punishment for offside is an indirect free kick to the defending team, taken from where the offence happened.
What VAR can review
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) watches replays and can advise the on-field referee, but only for clear and obvious errors or serious missed incidents in set situations:
- Goals, including whether there was an offside, foul or handball in the build-up.
- Penalty decisions.
- Direct red cards (not second yellows, traditionally).
- Mistaken identity, when the wrong player is booked or sent off.
The lawmakers, IFAB, have recently widened VAR a little. Competitions can now let it correct a clearly wrong second yellow card, and, as an option, a clearly wrong corner award. Factual decisions such as offside are checked directly. Judgement calls usually go to an on-field review, where the referee watches the pitch-side monitor.
Semi-automated offside technology
At top tournaments, cameras under the stadium roof track the ball and many points on each player's body. A sensor in the ball marks the exact kick point, and software draws the offside line within seconds. VAR confirms it, and fans see a 3D animation of the decision. It was first used at a World Cup in 2022.
Quick summary
Offside means being ahead of the ball and the second-last defender in the opponent's half when a teammate plays the ball. It is only punished if you get involved. It never applies from goal kicks, throw-ins or corners. VAR fixes clear errors on goals, penalties, red cards and identity.
Rules are explained as they stand in October 2026. Governing bodies update their rules regularly, so check the latest official regulations for any competition.
Next in the series: Part 12: Olympic Qualification.
