It’s not really hard, when the ball is played there must be at least one defender between the goal and the designated receiver of the pass. That’s so players don’t camp out in front of the goal waiting for a long pass.
Hockey has something similar.
Yeah, but watching 20+ men running, kicking, pushing, falling, slamming, and clunking their heads, how can anyone actually pick out anyone on offsides. It's a total disaster and not worth watching. I'm still trying to figure out what the hell they're all singing and rocking back and forth about, when there's nothing happening for 90 minutes right there in front of them.
No, the hockey one is not similar unless there is something in field hockey like it. The hockey faceoff is based on a LINE, not a player.
That is not correct. There must be two defenders closer to or even with the byline (end line) when the ball is played. Many people are confused by this because the goalkeeper is almost always closer to the byline, but not always, when the ball is played.
The line of scrimmage serves the same purpose in American football, and basketball has the three second rule. Same principle.
The offside rule in soccer is like football except that, since soccer is a continuous motion game, the "line of scrimmage" is constantly shifting. Players caught on the wrong side of it must get back onsides before participating in a play.