Which situation constitutes an offside infringement?

The correct choice highlights a crucial aspect of the offside rule. A player is considered to be in an offside position if they are closer to their opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last opponent (usually the last defender) at the moment the ball is played to them. However, merely being in an offside position doesn't result in an infringement unless the player becomes involved in active play.

In this case, option B illustrates a scenario where the player, having been in an offside position, actively interferes with an opponent during the play. This interaction can affect the opponent's ability to play the ball, thereby constituting an infringement of the offside rule and resulting in a free kick for the opposing team.

Other options do not depict situations where an infringement occurs. If a player is behind the last defender when the ball is played, they are not offside. Being in the correct position when the ball is played means the player is not infringing the offside rule. Lastly, if a player is not involved in the play at all, they cannot be considered guilty of offside, regardless of their positioning on the field. Understanding these nuances is vital for properly enforcing the offside rule during a game.