During what type of play can a player be offside?

A player can be offside when they receive the ball from a pass. The offside rule is designed to prevent players from gaining an unfair advantage by positioning themselves too close to the opponent's goal at the time the ball is played to them. According to the rules, a player is considered offside if they are nearer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last opponent (often the last defender) at the moment the ball is played to them, provided they are involved in active play.

Being in their own half does not put a player in an offside position, as the offside rule can only apply in the opponent's half of the field. Likewise, simply being near the goal while defending does not automatically render a player offside unless they meet the criteria of being involved with the attacking play at the moment the ball is played. If the ball is out of play, the question of offside does not arise, as there is no active play occurring. Therefore, it is only during active play, specifically when a player receives a pass, that the potential for being offside exists.