1. The Field of Play (1) U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program
Online Training Script:
Welcome to U.S. Soccer’s online training for the Grade 8 Referee Course.
Training for this course is specific to preparing officials for the competitive youth game.
This presentation focuses on Law 1 – The Field of Play.
U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program
Grade 8 Referee Course
Competitive Youth Training

2. Lines are a part of the area that they define.
Online Training Script:
The goal measures 8 feet high from the underside of the crossbar to the ground.
The width is 8 yards from the inside of the goalpost to the inside of the other goalpost.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:
Discuss the application of this statement – e.g. Goal line and touch lines are “on the field of play.” Penalty area markings are inside of the penalty area, etc.

3. Field Not Properly Marked
Not an “if” but a “when”
Do the best you can
Report it
Exceptions
Goals not anchored (don’t play)
Unsafe corner flags (remove)
Online Training Script:
The goal measures 8 feet high from the underside of the crossbar to the ground.
The width is 8 yards from the inside of the goalpost to the inside of the other goalpost.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:
You will run into many fields that do not have proper markings.
Markings may be very light, incorrect, absent …
Do not cancel a game because the field markings are incorrect – do the best you can and report the problems

4. Anything above this crossbar is not part of the goal.
Goals
Anything above this crossbar is not part of the goal.
“Out of play”
Online Training Script:
The goal measures 8 feet high from the underside of the crossbar to the ground.
The width is 8 yards from the inside of the goalpost to the inside of the other goalpost.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:
If you want to, you can tell them that the goal (under the LOTG) is 8 feet tall and 8 yards wide. But they may see combination football/soccer goals, and make sure to teach that anything above the goal crossbar is not considered a part of the goal. If the ball hits above there and returns to the field, it is still out of play.

5. Goal Safety Goals not anchored means … ? Online Training Script:
Goals must be anchored securely to the ground.
Portable goals may only be used if they satisfy this requirement.
Some goals are anchored by stakes into the ground and some are anchored with weights or sandbags.
If the goal posts are set into the ground with concrete, that counts as being anchored.
The referee makes the final determination on whether or not a goal is safe for play.
Remember that if the goals are not anchored, the game cannot be started.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:
Goals not anchored means game does not start. Home coach is responsible for correcting.
Goals not anchored means … ?

6. Goal Alignment Online Training Script:
If a goal is not the same width as the goal line, the goal should be positioned so the back of the posts are even with the outside of the goal line.
This will help the referee team to determine whether the entire ball has completely crossed the goal line.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:
The back edge of the upright should be lined up with the outside edge of the goal line.

7. Review Question
If the goals are not securely anchored to the ground, what should the referee do?
Ask the home team coach to fix the issue and start the game only when the goals are securely anchored
Start the game without the goals anchored so long as it’s not too windy
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

8. Review Question
If a tripping offense is committed by a player on his or her own penalty area line, what is the correct restart?
Indirect free kick
Dropped ball
Penalty kick
Kick-off
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points: