If a player is in an offside position, but the ball was intentionally played by an opponent, should the player be penalized?

A player in an offside position should only be penalized when they become involved in active play by interfering with an opponent or gaining an advantage from their position. In this context, if an opponent intentionally plays the ball, the player in the offside position is not automatically penalized. This is because the offside rule does not apply if the ball is played intentionally by an opponent, allowing the player to participate in the play without committing an infraction.

Interference could involve actions such as obstructing the opponent's line of sight, physically challenging an opponent, or attempting to gain possession of the ball. Therefore, it is crucial to assess whether the player in the offside position actively interferes with play after the opponent has made an intentional play. If they do engage in such interference, only then would a violation be called.

The other choices focus on broader or irrelevant criteria that do not align with the specific situation described, as the core principle of the offside rule is focused on a player’s active involvement in play rather than merely their positioning.