When can a player be penalized for offside?

A player can be penalized for offside when they are involved in active play. The offside rule is designed to prevent players from gaining an unfair advantage by positioning themselves too close to the opponent's goal while the ball is played to them.

According to the Laws of the Game, a player is considered to be in an offside position if they are nearer to their opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent when the ball is played to them, unless they are in their own half or level with the second-last opponent. However, simply being in an offside position is not enough for a penalty; the player must also be deemed to be involved in active play, which includes interfering with an opponent or gaining an advantage from their position. This distinction is critical because a player can be in an offside position but not penalized if they are not actively participating in the play.

The other options do not accurately reflect the conditions under which a player can be penalized for offside. For example, offside can occur at any point in the match, not just during the second half or during specific situations like corner kicks. Additionally, a player's adherence to the coach's instructions is unrelated to the offside rule, as