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EarlG

(23,781 posts)
9. If you know how offside works in hockey
Sat Jul 4, 2026, 01:33 PM
Saturday

then consider that soccer’s rule is similar, except in hockey the blue line is visible and in a fixed position, whereas in soccer the blue line is invisible and it moves up and down the field in sync with whichever member of the defending team is standing closest to his own goal (not including the goalkeeper).

There are other complications (such as the question of whether an offside player is considered part of the play or not, as in the OP’s example) the rules for which tend to get fiddled with over time. But I’ve found the easiest way to explain basic offside is the “moving blue line” analogy.

Of course, it’s not very useful if the person you’re explaining it to doesn’t know hockey either.

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Is the pass to the offside player or Messi? House of Roberts Saturday #1
It went ro Messi, but the goalie still has to account for the other player. ... aggiesal Saturday #4
I'd welcome a short, cogent explanation Bobstandard Saturday #2
See post 3. I hope that's a good explanation underpants Saturday #5
Not buying that explanation. See my response #7. n/t aggiesal Saturday #8
Thanks. I didn't realize there was an actual Messi rule Bobstandard Saturday #13
That's what I thought it referred to too underpants Saturday #14
If you know how offside works in hockey EarlG Saturday #9
When the ball is passed, the player who ends up receiving it underpants Saturday #3
What if the defending team is the last to touch the ball in a melee? House of Roberts Saturday #6
The defender touching it resets everything and the ball is open to everyone underpants Saturday #10
Not buying it. I've seen Offsides called under this same condition, plenty of times. ... aggiesal Saturday #7
That was how I understood it when I played underpants Saturday #11
No spolier alerts. Thanks n/t aggiesal Saturday #12
To be ruled offside, a player must be "in active play" muriel_volestrangler Yesterday #15
Here is why, I feel the way I do ... aggiesal 23 hrs ago #16
Years ago, the "in active play" qualification wasn't there muriel_volestrangler 23 hrs ago #17
This happened during the Spain/Portugal game ... aggiesal 7 hrs ago #18
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