1. The Ball in and Out of Play (9)
Online Training Script:
Welcome to U.S. Soccer’s online training for the Grade 9 Referee Course.
Training for this course is specific to preparing officials for the small sided and recreational youth game.
This presentation focuses on Law 9 – The Ball In and Out of Play.
U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program
Grade 9 Referee Course
Small Sided and Recreational Youth Training

2. When is the ball out of play? Fully crosses a boundary line or
This one is simple
You know this ….
When is the ball out of play?
Fully crosses a boundary line or
Referee stops play
Other than that … ball’s in play
Online Training Script:
Once the game starts from the kick-off, the ball is in play until it wholly crosses over a goal line, wholly crosses over a touch line, or until the referee stops play.
Remember that the entire ball must cross the entire boundary line before it is considered off the field of play.
This applies to when the ball is on the ground or in the air.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:
Once the half starts, the ball is in play except for two situations.
Describe “fully crosses” using the information in the next slide.
Don’t get into decision vs. whistle here – will be covered later.
In these situations, the ball is in play again when a proper restart has taken place.

3. “Fully cross?” Whole Ball Whole Line In the air On the ground
Online Training Script:
Once the game starts from the kick-off, the ball is in play until it wholly crosses over a goal line, wholly crosses over a touch line, or until the referee stops play.
Remember that the entire ball must cross the entire boundary line before it is considered off the field of play.
This applies to when the ball is on the ground or in the air.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

4. Rebounds Online Training Script:
Note that the ball is still considered in play even if it rebounds off a goalpost, crossbar, corner flag, or the referee.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:
If the ball deflects off of a part of the field, including the referee, it remains in play.

5. What do you think this means?
Play stops when the referee DECIDES to stop play
NOT when the whistle was blown
Online Training Script:
The ball is also out of play when play has been stopped by the referee, for any reason, such as when a foul or misconduct has occurred.
Note that the ball is deemed out of play when the decision is made by the referee, not when the whistle is blown.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:
Discuss

6. Pop Quiz Name the two times the ball is “out of play”
Crosses boundary line
Referee stops play
Online Training Script:
The ball is also out of play when play has been stopped by the referee, for any reason, such as when a foul or misconduct has occurred.
Note that the ball is deemed out of play when the decision is made by the referee, not when the whistle is blown.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:
Discuss

7. Review Question
Does the entire ball or just part of the ball have to cross a boundary line in order for it to be considered out of play?
Entire ball
Part of the ball
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

8. Review Question
What should the referee do if the ball completely crosses the touchline in the air and blows back onto the field?
Allow play to continue since the ball never touched the ground outside the field of play
Stop play and restart with a throw-in
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

9. Review Question
Is the ball still considered in play when the referee blows his or her whistle?
Yes No
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points: