Question Number: 17411

Law 2 - The Ball 10/20/2007

RE: Grade 8 Under 17

Jonathan Sterling of Titusville, Florida United States asks...

Recently I was refereeing a U12 girls game. When I asked the home coach for a game ball, he gave me one of those balls that seem to stick to your foot. I decided that the ball was unsafe, because I've seen plenty of kids roll there ankles on such balls. I told the coach to give me another ball, because I felt it was unsafe. Was this the right call? I understand that the ball is home teams advantage, but does that still apply when it endangers the safety of the players? I've read the rules and couldn't find anything that disallowed "sticky" soccer balls.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Jonathan,
in fact you know more than I? I have never heard of a sticky soccer ball approved by FIFA? The ball must comply with law 2 and not affect law 4 adversely as law 5 gives you absolute discrestionary power to ok or thumbs down. Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Could it be you mean sort of really flat when you say sticky? If that's the case just inflate it to the required pressure: 0,6 - 1,1 atmospheres; 600 - 1100 gm/sq cm or whatever that is in pounds and inches...

Use your pump and gauge to do this. Also weight the ball heavy for long grass and light for short grass. When you have a properly weighted football the match will flow much better, players will kick more accurately and bounces will be slightly more true. Make sure every ball you allow in the match is weighted the same [inflated to the same pressure].

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The ball is most certainly NOT home team's "advantage". Where do you get that idea from? You are to make certain the ball conforms to Law 2 and present no safety problem.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yes, the referee must approve the game balls and assure that Law 2 is met.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 18554