[MHGinTN]

A player is not off sides IF the pass is made or started before the player gets beyond the last defender between the goal and him. Is that correct?

[dfwgator]

Correct, it’s about the position of the player when the ball is struck, even if he gets in an onside position after the ball is kicked, it doesn’t matter, it’s still offsides.

[sphinx]

Correct. The player must be onside when the ball is kicked. The art is to time a run so that you sprint past a defender just as the ball is played in. A player running on to a through ball behind the defense is a beautiful thing, as long as the player doesn't break too soon.

[WASCWatch]

A player is not off sides IF the pass is made or started before the player gets beyond the last defender between the goal and him. Is that correct?

Not quite. There must be two defensive players that are even with or closer to the byline when the ball is played. This applies to all parts of the body. Most people don't factor in the goalkeeper when it comes to an offsides situation. The GK is almost always one of the two defensive players, but not always.