1. The Start and Restart of Play (8)
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 8 – The Start and Restart of Play.
U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program
Grade 9 Referee Course
Small Sided and Recreational Youth Training

2. Coin Toss Takes place before kick-off Team captains
Visiting captain picks
Winner of the toss
Picks what goal to attack
Other team kicks off
Online Training Script:
The game starts with a kick-off and that’s decided by the coin toss.
The coin toss usually takes place with the designated team captains and the visiting captain usually gets to select heads or tails before the coin is tossed by the referee.
Based on the initial selection, the winner of the coin toss gets to select which goal they will attack in the first half of the game.
The other team is awarded the kick-off in the fist half and begins by attacking the opposite goal.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

3. Kick-off Where? When? In play when? Center mark
Start of period, after a goal
In play when?
Kicked and moves forward
Online Training Script:
The kick-off is taken from the center mark and the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward.
The kick-off is used to start the game and to start any other period of play as dictated by the local rules of competition.
A kick-off is also used to restart the game after a goal has been scored.
It is important to remember that the ball is not in play until it is kicked and it moves forward.
The kick-off is retaken if the ball does not move forward.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

4. Kick-off Online Training Script:
Both teams must be on their defensive half of the field.
The team not taking the kick-off must also remain outside of the center circle until the ball is in play.
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5. Dropped Ball When no other restart works … Minimum # of players = 0
Drop the ball – just like it says!
In play when it hits the ground
Online Training Script:
A dropped ball is used to restart play when none of the other restarts permitted by the Laws of the Game apply.
Some common examples include when the referee stops play due to interference from an outside agent or because of weather issues.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

6. Review Question
The winner of the coin toss gets which of the following?
The choice of which goal to attack in the first half but not the kick-off
The choice between kicking off in the first half or the second half
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

7. Review Question
During the kick-off, do both teams have to be on their half of the field until the ball is in play?
Yes No
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8. Review Question
What restart should the referee use when no other restart applies to the situation?
Indirect free kick
Dropped ball
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