The offside rule in soccer has always been one of the most debated — and, at times, misunderstood — aspects of the game. In recent years, advances in technology have transformed how offside decisions are made, with the introduction of automated offside systems at the top levels of international football.
But how does it actually work? And what makes it different from traditional video review?
Let’s break down what automated offside is, how it functions, and why it’s changing the modern game.
Automated offside is a semi-automated system used to detect offside positions with greater speed and accuracy than traditional methods. It combines player tracking data with real-time ball position to identify whether an attacker is ahead of the last defender at the moment a pass is made.
Rather than relying solely on the eyes of assistant referees or frame-by-frame replay analysis, this system gives officials a near-instant visual confirmation of an offside position.
It was first introduced at major FIFA tournaments, including the 2022 World Cup, and is being gradually adopted by top domestic leagues and competitions around the world.
The foundation of automated offside lies in limb-tracking technology. Stadiums equipped with the system use a network of cameras positioned around the roofline to track each player’s precise movements — often capturing up to 29 data points per player, including their head, shoulders, feet, and knees.
These points are analyzed in real time to create a 3D model of every player’s position on the pitch, updated dozens of times per second. Crucially, it ensures that the system isn’t just detecting where a player is, but which part of their body is in an offside position — which is key under the Laws of the Game.
In addition to the cameras, the match ball contains a sensor embedded inside, which transmits data hundreds of times per second. This allows the system to detect the exact moment the ball is kicked — something that has traditionally been a source of contention in close offside decisions.
The synchronization between the ball sensor and player tracking is what allows automated offside technology to deliver such precise outcomes.
When an attacking play is under review for offside, the system automatically detects whether an offside position has occurred. It then alerts the VAR (Video Assistant Referee), who confirms the decision before relaying it to the on-field referee.
If the system finds an offside, a 3D graphic is generated to illustrate the decision — including the position of the attacker, defender, and ball at the moment of contact. This visual is often shown to broadcasters and stadium audiences for transparency.
The process usually takes around 20 to 30 seconds, which is a noticeable improvement over traditional VAR offside reviews that can take up to a minute or more.
Not entirely. The system is semi-automated, meaning the final decision still goes through the VAR and on-field referee. While the technology identifies potential offsides and produces visuals, human officials are still responsible for confirming and enforcing the call.
This balance ensures that subjective elements — such as interference or intention — are still interpreted by referees, while the system handles the objective part: positioning.
Automated offside technology reduces human error, speeds up game restarts, and minimizes fan frustration. In a game where split-second decisions can determine match outcomes, having a system that’s both accurate and efficient helps maintain the integrity of competition.
It’s not perfect — and still evolving — but its impact is already being felt across elite tournaments.
In summary: Automated offside in soccer uses advanced limb-tracking cameras and ball sensors to identify offside positions with pinpoint precision. It delivers faster decisions, clear visuals, and helps referees make more consistent calls — all without fully removing the human element from the equation.
