How to Eliminate Offsides in MLS

The offside rule in soccer has been around since 1863 and has gradually transformed into the rules we have today. Originally, the rules did not allow a player to be in front of the player with the soccer ball, like in association rugby, but changed to now prohibit the passing of the soccer ball to a player who has a part of the body, such as the legs or head, with which he can legally play the ball in front of the last defender. Playing an offside trap is part of the defensive strategy of many MLS teams, but intelligent forward players can still stay onside.

Instructions

  1. How to eliminate offsides

    • 1

      A player can prevent being caught offside by staying in his own half of the field when receiving the ball.

    • 2

      When in the opposition's half, the attacking player must stay even with either the second last defensive opponent, or even with both of the last defensive opponents when the ball is played to them.

    • 3

      A player will not be offside if the ball comes from a throw in, corner kick or goal kick.

    • 4

      If you are standing in an offside position when the ball is played towards you, by walking back towards your own half of the pitch and not interfering with play, you will also not be penalized for being offside.