Looks at it this way - when they’re younger, most coaches will tell them ‘Nobody can be past the last defender without the ball’ Then as they get older they add the part about playing the ball to a teammate.

What I’ve found confuses most parents about offside is when there is NO offside. Throwins, corner kicks, and goal kicks - there is no offside. Once the ball is touched by someone, normal offside takes effect (so yes - on a throwin a player can sprint offside while their teammate throws the ball over everyones head and they score - it’s legal)

Also offside only applies in a team’s offensive half of the field. If a teams defenders rush up to help on offsense, leaving the keeper all alone - it’s perfectly fine for the other team to put a player at midfield in what looks like an offside position waiting for the ball.

The other confusing part is always - ‘when the ball is played’ Everyone pretty much knows ’stay even with the last defender (assuming the keeper is by the goal ) What confuses people is it’s not when the ball is RECEIVED but when it is played. So if your son is even with the last defender and one of his buddies kicks the ball - if he sprints towards the goal, into an offside position (behind last defender without the ball) while the ball sails towards him - that’s fine, because he was ok when the ball was kicked ie played to him.

If you want to see a flash animation done by FIFA, go here:

http://www.fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws11_01.htm

and click ‘Launch Flash Version’ down in the bottom left corner.

As for the offsides, I’m guessing you’ve had enough explanations by now and I’ll spare you my version.

I just found your blog from one of your comments on Chris’s site and I’m enjoying your writing!

That explanation above is, besides hilarious, pretty well thought out. If you want a bit more of a technical explanation, go where I usually go for info on everything–Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offside_%28football%29

Remember that “football” and “association football” both mean soccer in this context.

While you’re there, if you find yourself clicking link after link and devouring every piece of information about the game that you can, well, don’t blame me. I didn’t start the phenomenon, I’m just one of its myriad victims.

And after all that, if you find yourself wanting to root for a team besides your son’s (and, of course, you should do that), find a local pro or semi-pro side and start going. This article will probably be very help in understanding how soccer works in the US:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soccer_in_the_United_States

“You’re in a shoe shop, second in the queue for the till. Behind the shop assistant on the till is a pair of shoes which you have seen and which you must have.

The female shopper in front of you has seen them also and is eyeing them with desire. Both of you have forgotten your purses.

It would be rude to push in front of the first woman if you had no money to pay for the shoes.

The shop assistant remains at the till waiting.

Your friend is trying on another pair of shoes at the back of the shop and sees your dilemma.

She prepares to throw her purse to you.

If she does so, you can catch the purse, then walk round the other shopper and buy the shoes!

At a pinch she could throw the purse ahead of the other shopper and “whilst it is in flight” you could nip around the other shopper, catch the purse and buy the shoes!

BUT, you must always remember that until the purse has “actually been thrown”, it would be plain wrong for you to be in front of the other shopper and you would be OFFSIDE!”

“bad call, he totally missed that offside!”

He turns to me and says, “you have no idea what you’re talking about, do you?”

Apparently not. So don’t feel bad, you’re not alone! After the posted comments, though, I think I’ve got it. The new season starts in 2 weeks - we’ll find out then…