1. The Ball (2) 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 2 – The Ball.
U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program
Grade 8 Referee Course
Competitive Youth Training

2. Leather or other suitable material Properly inflated
Requirements for ball
Safe
Spherical
Leather or other suitable material
Properly inflated
Color/design do not matter
Online Training Script:
It is the referee’s responsibility to make sure the ball meets the requirements for the game they are officiating and, most importantly, that it is safe.
For under 13 competitive youth games and older, all games should be played using a size 5 ball.
The requirements are that the ball must be spherical and made of leather or some other suitable material.
The air pressure for a size 5 ball must be between pounds per square inch and many referees working competitive youth games will utilize a gauge to accurately check the air pressure.
Referees can also reference the manufacturers’ recommendations for ball inflation which is typically printed on the ball itself.
The referee is the sole judge of whether the ball meets the requirements for Law 2 regardless of the opinions of the players and coaches.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:
These are the basic requirements for the ball. Discuss how to check inflation – not necessarily with a gauge, but what we are looking for.
Discuss who provides the ball (home coach) and what we do if the home team doesn’t have a suitable ball.

3. Defective Ball Referee must check replacement ball During play
Stop play and replace ball
Restart with a dropped ball
During a penalty kick
Stop game and replace ball
Retake penalty kick
During a stoppage
Replace ball and restart accordingly
Referee must check replacement ball
Online Training Script:
If the ball bursts or becomes defective during the game, the referee must replace the ball.
If the referee stops play because of the defective ball, play is restarted with a dropped ball from the spot where the ball was when play was stopped.
If the ball bursts or becomes defective during a penalty kick before it touches any player or the goalposts or crossbar, then the penalty kick should be retaken.
From a penalty kick, if the ball bursts or becomes defective after making contact with a player or the goal frame, play is stopped, the ball is replaced, and play is restarted with a dropped ball.
If the ball is already out of play, the referee must replace the ball and restart the game with the appropriate restart.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

4. Review Question
What should the referee do if the ball becomes defective during a stoppage in play?
Stop play, replace the ball, and restart play with a dropped ball
Replace the ball and resume play with the appropriate restart based on the stoppage
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points: