* The offside rule is not interpreted in the same way as in the Laws of Football. It is said to be easy to understand.

* Two teams are taken as examples to make the off side rule a little simpler – Argentina & Spain.

It is also important to know some basic terminology to understand this off side rule.

* In football, where a team starts play is called their half. Looking at it like that, Spain should score in Argentina’s half. Argentina should score in the Spain half.

* The last Spanish player in the Spanish half is called the last man. Most of the time goalkeepers are the last man. But there is no rule that it should be so. The Spanish player in front of the last man is called the second last man. He is the most important figure in the off-side rule.

* On-side – A player is on-side if he is in the correct position and not in an off-side position.

In some places the off side rule is not valid. Let’s get to that first

* If a player buys a pass in his own half, the offside rule does not apply. For example, if Messi buys a pass in the Argentina half, the offside rule does not apply. Only valid if purchased in Spain half.

* If the player receiving the pass is further from the opponent’s goal post than the player giving the pass, it is not considered offside.

* There is no off side for goal kick and corner kick.

* Throw-in – Aways that cross the touch line are awarded a throw-in. The off side is not seen when the throw is made.

* A player in an offside position is not offside if he picks up a mispass by an opponent.