Football quiz
Offside Quiz: Is It Offside?
Ten real-match situations, each with a diagram. Decide whether there is an offside offence, then read what Law 11 says. Red players attack to the right, blue players defend, and the yellow dashed line marks the second-last defender at the moment the ball is played.
Score: 0 / 0
1. Beyond the last defender
The red midfielder passes forward. At the moment the pass is played, the red striker is nearer the goal line than the ball and the second-last defender. He runs on and controls the ball.
2. Level with the defender
The striker is exactly level with the second-last defender when the pass is played.
3. Starting in his own half
The striker is still in his own half when the pass is played. He then sprints past every defender to collect the ball.
4. Behind the ball
The winger dribbles to the byline and cuts the ball back. The striker, who is beyond the last defender but behind the ball, scores.
5. Straight from a throw-in
A red player takes a throw-in. The striker, standing beyond the last defender, receives the ball directly from the throw.
6. Not involved in play
A red midfielder shoots from 25 metres and scores. A teammate in an offside position is on the far side of the pitch, does not touch the ball and is not in the goalkeeper’s line of sight.
7. Blocking the goalkeeper’s view
A teammate shoots from distance. A red player in an offside position stands directly in front of the goalkeeper and the ball goes in.
8. Only his arm is ahead
The striker’s feet, body and head are level with the second-last defender, but his outstretched arm is ahead of the defender.
9. A defender’s deliberate pass
A striker is in an offside position. A defender deliberately tries to pass the ball but miscontrols it, and the striker collects it.
10. Rebound from a save
A red midfielder shoots, the goalkeeper saves, and the ball rebounds to a teammate who was in an offside position when the shot was taken. He taps it in.
Law 11 in two steps
First ask whether the player was in an offside position at the moment a teammate played or touched the ball: in the opponents’ half, and nearer the goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent. Then ask whether they became involved: by playing or touching the ball, interfering with an opponent, or gaining an advantage from a rebound or deflection. Only when both are true is there an offence.
Read the full offside explainer