What is NOT a criterion for being in an offside position?

Being in an offside position is determined by specific criteria that focus on a player's location in relation to the ball, the second-to-last opponent (usually the last outfield player), and their involvement in active play. The key aspects of offside position include whether the player is ahead of the second to last defender and if they are actively participating in the play.

A player being behind the ball is not a consideration for offside positioning. In fact, a player can be in an onside position if they are behind the ball, regardless of their position relative to other players. This means that their location relative to the ball takes precedence over their position concerning defenders when determining the offside status.

While being ahead of the second to last defender and actively involved in play are important criteria for assessing offside, a player’s position within the penalty area does not inherently affect their offside status. Thus, stating that a player is behind the ball does not meet any of the criteria for determining offside, making it the correct answer.