How Hillary Clinton overcame the challenge from Sen. Bernie Sanders. Hillary Clinton greets supporters during a rally at Long Beach City College on the final day of California campaigning. Photo: Jonathan Alcorn/AFP/Getty Images.
Without the rule, offensive players could hover near their opponents' goal even when the play is on the other side of the field, with the hope of a long pass and an easy goal. The offside rule applies at the moment the ball is touched or passed, not when the ball is received.
Being in an offside position is not an offence in itself; at the moment the ball touches or is played by the player's team, the player must also be actively involved in the play in the opinion of the referee, in order for an offence to occur.