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Day 1 — The Offsides Rule

Week 1

Lesson

Topic Point: Offsides – the offensive player cannot cross the line (second to last defender) before the ball is passed. The line moves with the second to last defender, and the line switches based on who the second to last defender is. Adding to the confusion, the ball can be anywhere on the pitch (field). The offensive player can move past the defensive player after the pass is made from his/her teammate. They may try to time their run forward to move at top speed and pass the defender just after the ball is played forward to receive the ball behind the defender. As long as they do not pass the defender BEFORE the ball is passed, they are onside.

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Ted Lasso: Because of the variables with offsides in soccer (location of ball, location of second to last defender, change of who the second to last defender is), Ted struggles to understand this rule. By the end of season 3, he understands the rule such that he knows a goal by West Ham will be disallowed before Coach Beard and Roy Kent recognize it.

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Soccer-related Note: The offside rule was introduced in 1863 to discourage ‘cherry-picking’ and initially required 3 players to be between the attacking player and the defensive goal when the ball was played forward. In 1925, the number of defensive players required was reduced to 2, and in 1990 the offensive player was allowed to be level or even with the second to last defender as opposed to the requirement that both defenders be between the goal and the attacker.

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American sports comparison: In American football, offsides is understood by the fans. The line of scrimmage is easily identified by the placement of the ball along with the offensive and defensive linemen in position on their respective side of the ball. No players can cross the line before the ball is snapped (passed from the center to the quarterback).

The principle of offsides is the same between American football and soccer. In soccer, the rule only applies to the player on offense; but the offensive player cannot cross the line created by the second.

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⚑ Offside

✓ Not offside

✓ Not offside — keeper as last defender

The offside line is set by the last outfield defender (the 2nd-to-last player counting from the goal, since the goalkeeper is last). The attacker (O) has moved beyond that defender — closer to the opponent's goal. This is offside.

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