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Kennedy Broadwell

DID YOU KNOW: Some still can’t tell what offside really is out on the field

Updated: 5 days ago






(Have photos to go with this story? Email pics to Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com and dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com and also list the photo credit as well.)


MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews


BY KENNEDY BROADWELL

PMG-MSN CORRESPONDENT

 

If you’re new to soccer, understanding the rules can be tricky, especially when it comes to fouls and offside. While both involve breaking the rules, they’re actually very different.

 

A foul happens when a player does something illegal during the game, like tripping, pushing, or handling the ball (unless they’re the goalkeeper). When a foul is committed, the other team gets a free kick, and in some cases, the player who fouled might get a yellow card (warning) or even a red card (ejection from the game).

 

Offside, on the other hand, isn’t about what a player does, but where they are when the ball is

passed. A player is offside if they are closer to the opponent’s goal than both the ball and the

second-last defender at the moment the ball is played to them. But the player has to be actively involved in the play for it to count as offside.

 

Both fouls and offside violations result in free kicks for the opposing team, but the reasons are

different: fouls are about breaking the rules with actions, while offside is about being in the

wrong place at the wrong time. And, just so you know, a player can’t be offside if the ball comes from a goal kick, throw-in, or corner kick.

 

Now you know the difference between a foul and offside — two key rules that help keep the

game fair.

 

Ironically, those around the game for a long period of time – sometimes still can’t tell when one is offsides, and it’s called quite frequently on just about all levels of soccer. (Even the refs can sometimes blow this call.)

 

Where does the offside rule come from, anyway? Well, that’s another good topic for another Did You Know.

 

(Kennedy Broadwell is a freelance contributor to the Premier Media Group, Michigan Soccer Network and the National Soccer Network. She has worked in the Michigan, Ohio and Montana media circles for nearly a decade, serving as a TV personality, on-air host, in-game host, arena-host, freelance producer, color commentator, and freelance writer for various media outlets, TV stations and arena facilities. Broadwell, a multimedia journalist, can be reached at kennedybroadwell@gmail.com. Follow on Twitter/X @BroadwellK. For inquiries or to submit tidbits to the ‘Did You Know’ column, email Kennedy Broadwell at the above-listed email or contact PMG-MSN-NSN Web and Content Editor Dan Stickradt at dstickradt@thepremeirmediagrp.com or stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com.)

 

MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Twitter/X: @MiSoccerNetwork, @msn_stickradt


(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer involving teams, players or coaches with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com, or call 248-884-1051 or 248-525-2349. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com and jonathan@thepremiermediagrp.com.)



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(MSN will compile a random sampling of game results from around the state each day. To send in results from high school varsity, club, amateur, pre-pro, semi-pro or professional soccer, email all pertinent details to Communications Specialist / Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com and dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com or submit information right on the correct link on the MSN website at https://www.michigansoccernetwork.com/reportascore. Please submit the competing teams, location and date of game, final score, overall and league records, goals, assists, goalkeepers and saves, standout defenders, players of the match, and any other pertinent details of the game. If there are courtesy action photos available, feel free to submit them at the above-listed emails.)

 

MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Twitter/X: @MiSoccerNetwork, @msn_stickradt


(Have photos to go with this story? Email pics to Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com and dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com  and also list photo credit as well.)


DID YOU KNOW? LINKS:

 

DID YOU KNOW: There was once a ‘Football War’:  https://wix.to/Puy5jbp

 

 

DID YOU KNOW: Why Do Americans Call It "Soccer" Instead of "Football"?:   https://wix.to/WxnRIRC

 

 

DID YOU KNOW: Soccer Is the Most Popular Sport in the World?

 

 

DID YOU KNOW: Soccer’s origins include wild medieval matches with no rules:

 

 

DID YOU KNOW: Some still can’t tell what offside really is out on the field:





BOYS SOCCER: MSN SUPER 50 TEAMS POSITIONS 21-30: BOYS SOCCER: MSN Super 50 Teams Positions 21-30:


BOYS SOCCER: MSN SUPER 50 TEAMS POSITIONS 11-20:

BOYS SOCCER: MSN SUPER 50 TEAMS POSITIONS 1-10:

 

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Contact both Broadcast Director Jonathan Turner at 248-525-2083 or jonathan@thepremeiermediagrp.com and Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at (248) 525-2349 and dstickradt@thepremeiermediagrp.com.

 




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