Offside Calculator
Offside Position Calculator
Determine if a player is in offside position according to FIFA rules. The offside rule states: A player is offside if they are closer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent (usually the last defender) when the ball is played to them.
Football isn’t just a game. It’s a language spoken in every country, from the dusty streets of Mumbai to the packed stadiums of São Paulo. If you’ve ever watched a match and wondered why everyone’s screaming, or why players keep chasing a ball with their feet, this is your simple, no-fluff guide to what football really is.
What football actually is
Football - called soccer in the U.S. and Canada - is a team sport where two teams of eleven players try to score by getting a ball into the opponent’s goal. The only players allowed to use their hands are the goalkeepers, and only inside their own penalty area. Everyone else plays with their feet, head, or torso. The team with the most goals after 90 minutes wins. That’s it. No clocks stopping for fouls, no timeouts, no extra plays. The game flows until the referee blows the final whistle.
It’s not complicated to understand, but it’s deep to master. A single match can turn on a split-second pass, a well-timed tackle, or a goalkeeper’s reflex save. That’s why over 4 billion people follow it. You don’t need expensive gear to play. Just a ball, some open space, and a few friends.
How the game is structured
A standard football match lasts 90 minutes, split into two 45-minute halves. There’s a 15-minute break in between. The referee adds extra time at the end of each half to make up for stoppages - injuries, substitutions, or time-wasting. That’s why you sometimes see 4 or 5 minutes added on even when nothing seems to be happening.
The field is rectangular, usually 100-110 meters long and 64-75 meters wide. Goals are 7.32 meters wide and 2.44 meters tall. The ball has to be spherical, made of leather or synthetic material, and weigh between 410 and 450 grams. These aren’t suggestions - they’re strict rules set by FIFA, the global governing body.
Each team has 11 players on the field: one goalkeeper and ten outfield players. Those ten are usually divided into defenders, midfielders, and forwards. But roles blend. A midfielder might push forward to score. A defender might drop back to help the keeper. Modern football doesn’t lock players into rigid positions.
How scoring works
Scoring is simple: the ball has to cross the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar. It doesn’t matter how it gets there - a header, a volley, a dribble, even a deflection off a defender. As long as the ball is in play and no rule was broken, it counts.
You can’t score directly from a throw-in. You can’t score from your own half unless the ball touches another player first. And you can’t score if your teammate was in an offside position when the ball was passed. Offside is the most misunderstood rule. A player is offside if they’re closer to the opponent’s goal than both the ball and the second-last opponent (usually the last defender) when the ball is played to them. But if they’re level with the second-last opponent, they’re fine. And if they’re behind the ball, they’re never offside.
What fouls and penalties mean
Football has a short list of clear fouls: kicking, tripping, pushing, holding, or handling the ball (except for the keeper). If a foul happens inside the penalty area, the referee awards a penalty kick - a one-on-one shot from 12 yards out. Outside the area, it’s a direct free kick. The team gets to shoot directly at goal.
Yellow cards are warnings. Two yellows in one match mean a red card and immediate ejection. A straight red card - for violent conduct, serious foul play, or denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity - also means the player is gone, and their team plays with ten men for the rest of the match. That’s a huge disadvantage. Many matches are won or lost because of a red card.
Why football feels so emotional
There’s no clock stopping. No commercial breaks. The game runs. That creates tension. A team down by one goal with five minutes left has to attack. But attacking leaves gaps. The other team can strike on the counter. That’s why the last minutes of a match feel like a rollercoaster.
Goals are rare. In many matches, only one or two are scored. That makes every one feel huge. A goal in the 89th minute can turn defeat into victory. That’s why fans cry, scream, or collapse in joy. It’s not just sport - it’s shared emotion. In Mumbai, you’ll see kids playing barefoot on the pavement after school. In Lagos, entire neighborhoods stop when the World Cup is on. In Berlin, fans sing for 90 minutes straight. Football connects people because it’s simple, unpredictable, and deeply human.
How football is played around the world
The rules are the same everywhere. But how it’s played? That’s different. Brazil plays with flair - dribbling, tricks, improvisation. Germany plays with structure - passing patterns, discipline, positioning. Spain likes to control the ball for long stretches. England uses pace and physicality. In India, you’ll see kids mastering the ball on narrow alleys, learning to turn quickly, to shield the ball with their body, to pass under pressure.
There’s no one right way. The beauty of football is that it adapts. It’s played on grass, dirt, concrete, even ice in some places. The ball might be a rolled-up sock in a village. The goal might be two stones. But the spirit is the same.
What you need to start watching
You don’t need to know every rule to enjoy a match. Just watch for these things:
- Where the ball goes after a turnover - that’s where the danger is.
- How players move without the ball - they’re not just standing around.
- How the goalkeeper positions himself - he’s the last line of defense.
- What happens when a team is down a player - they’ll drop back, try to hold on.
Watch the 2022 World Cup final. Argentina vs. France. Three goals. Extra time. A penalty shootout. That’s football. Pure, chaotic, brilliant.
Why football never gets old
It doesn’t need technology to be exciting. No VAR can replace the feeling of a last-minute winner. No replay can capture the roar of a crowd when their team scores. Football is the same game it was in 1863, when the first official rules were written in England. But it’s also constantly changing - new tactics, faster players, smarter training.
It’s not about who has the fanciest stadium or the most expensive players. It’s about the moment. The pass that splits two defenders. The shot that curls into the top corner. The kid who runs onto the field for the first time, eyes wide, heart pounding.
That’s what football is. Not just a sport. A shared heartbeat.
Is football the same as soccer?
Yes, they’re the same game. "Football" is used in most countries, including the UK, India, and Brazil. "Soccer" is mainly used in the U.S., Canada, and a few other places to avoid confusion with American football. The rules, field size, and gameplay are identical.
How long does a football match last?
A standard match lasts 90 minutes, split into two 45-minute halves. There’s a 15-minute halftime break. The referee adds extra time at the end of each half to account for stoppages like injuries or substitutions. In knockout tournaments, if the match is tied after 90 minutes, two 15-minute extra time periods are played. If still tied, a penalty shootout decides the winner.
What is offside in football?
A player is offside if they’re closer to the opponent’s goal than both the ball and the second-last opponent (usually the last defender) at the moment the ball is passed to them. They’re only offside if they’re involved in active play - like receiving the ball or interfering with an opponent. Being in an offside position isn’t a foul by itself. It only becomes a problem if they get the ball or affect the play.
Can you use your hands in football?
Only the goalkeeper can use their hands, and only inside their own penalty area. Any other player who handles the ball on purpose - even accidentally with the arm - will be penalized with a free kick or penalty kick. If the handball gives a team an advantage, like scoring or creating a goal-scoring chance, it’s almost always called.
What’s the difference between a yellow card and a red card?
A yellow card is a warning for a foul or unsporting behavior, like delaying the game or dissent. A player who gets two yellow cards in the same match is shown a red card and sent off. A straight red card is given for serious offenses like violent conduct, spitting, or denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. A team with a red card must play with one fewer player for the rest of the match.
Why do football matches sometimes have extra time?
Extra time is only used in knockout tournaments when the match is tied after 90 minutes. It consists of two 15-minute periods. If the score is still tied after extra time, the winner is decided by a penalty shootout. Extra time is not used in regular league matches - those end in a draw if tied.
How many players are on a football team?
Each team has 11 players on the field at once - one goalkeeper and ten outfield players. Teams can make up to five substitutions during a match, usually in three substitution windows. If a player is sent off with a red card, the team must play with fewer than 11 for the rest of the game.
What to watch next
If you want to understand football better, start with a classic match. Watch the 2014 World Cup final: Germany vs. Argentina. Or the 2005 Champions League final - Liverpool’s comeback from 3-0 down. Watch how the teams adjust. Watch how the crowd reacts. Watch the quiet moments between plays - the nods, the calls, the hand signals. That’s where the real game lives.
You don’t need to know every rule to love it. Just watch. And listen. The game will tell you everything you need to know.
