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Beat the Offside Line

By Gabe Ramos · U.S. Soccer Coach Educator · Updated November 2026

Four attackers against three defenders holding a line 12 yards out, with offside called strictly. Attackers score by running behind the line on the pass, never before. It teaches how to time a run.

Setup

A 30x20 with a goal, keeper and an offside line marked 12 yards out. Four attackers against three defenders who hold the line.

How it works

• Attackers score by running behind the line on the pass, never before.
• Offside is called strictly.
• Defenders may step up together once per attack.

Scoring

Ten attacks; count goals.

Make it easier or harder

• Progression 1: Defenders may drop the line at will.
• Progression 2: Add a fourth defender in front of the line.

Coach’s notes

• If It Stalls: Everyone offside? Runner must start two yards behind the line.

Why it works

Forwards get called offside because they watch the defender, not the passer. The cue here is simple: when the passer’s head comes up, it is time to go.

Calling offside strictly matters. In a normal game the flag is rare and easy to blame on someone else. Here the player finds out right away.

Where it sits

This is activity 74 of 100 in 100 Possession Activities (Theme 8 · Timing of Runs and Playing Forward). The book is ten themes of ten rungs each, from a 3v1 square to a full 9v9 transition game, and every activity has its setup, rules, scoring, two progressions, three coaching points and an animated video like the one above.

All timing of runs drills ›

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