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.
In some football codes, such as association football (soccer), the kicked forward pass is used so ubiquitously that it is not thought of as a distinct kind of play at all. In these sports, the concept of offside is used to regulate who can be in front of the play or be nearest to the goal.