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.
For offside rules in other sports, see Offside (sport) . In ice hockey, a play is offside if a player on the attacking team enters the offensive zone before the puck, unless the puck is sent or carried there by a defending player. When an offside violation occurs, a linesman will stop play.