A&H

Ball pressure?

BigL

New Member
Whilst checking the pressure of my match balls before my games today, I thought to myself what pressure do other referees like their balls to be at?
I like mine to be around the 10psi mark
 
The Referee Store
Depends on the ball, they will all have recommended pressures printed on them, go with that.

10 psi may be a bit low though, and the ball I was given today said 11 to 14 psi (it was given to me at 18 psi so I decided to help the players out and take a bit out ..!)
 
Here's how to check......
1 Take match ball, drop or throw on ground
2 Does it bounce?
3 No, then put more air in (or get another ball) go back to 1 above
4 Does it take ages to come back down?
5 Yes, then too much air in it, let some out, go back to 1
6 Is it in between?
7 great, a goldilocks ball, just right......
 
The home team gives me three balls, and I always check the pressure. In most cases it is too low, so I will inflate to just over minimum, say about 9 psi (legal is from 8.5 - 15.6). But if the home team have massively inflated the ball to (say) 15 psi, this is a completely legal ball and I as referee have no right to change or alter it.
 
The home team gives me three balls, and I always check the pressure. In most cases it is too low, so I will inflate to just over minimum, say about 9 psi (legal is from 8.5 - 15.6). But if the home team have massively inflated the ball to (say) 15 psi, this is a completely legal ball and I as referee have no right to change or alter it.
As far as I'm concerned, you have every right to change it. I'm not saying that you should do but you can if you want. The Laws only say that the ball pressure has to be within the specified range. It is entirely within the referee's remit to check the ball pressure and to make a decision as to what the pressure should be.

The Laws give the referee "full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match" and further state that the referee "has the discretion to take appropriate action within the framework of the Laws of the Game." I can't see any way that these broad and comprehensive decision-making powers do not allow the referee to decide on the pressure of the ball.

On the other side of the coin, there is absolutely nothing I am aware of in the Laws that even remotely or indirectly implies that the teams have the right to determine the ball pressure. If you can show me something that gives them the authority to make this decision, I'll be happy to eat my words.
 
As far as I'm concerned, you have every right to change it. I'm not saying that you should do but you can if you want. The Laws only say that the ball pressure has to be within the specified range. It is entirely within the referee's remit to check the ball pressure and to make a decision as to what the pressure should be.

The Laws give the referee "full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match" and further state that the referee "has the discretion to take appropriate action within the framework of the Laws of the Game." I can't see any way that these broad and comprehensive decision-making powers do not allow the referee to decide on the pressure of the ball.

On the other side of the coin, there is absolutely nothing I am aware of in the Laws that even remotely or indirectly implies that the teams have the right to determine the ball pressure. If you can show me something that gives them the authority to make this decision, I'll be happy to eat my words.

i'd agree with that, if i am given 3 match balls all with differing pressures then i'll alter them until they are equal.
hard pitch, then bottom of the range for me
 
When people say "I will alter the pressure" - what do they mean by that? If the pressure is low, will you sit there with a hand pump increasing it? I've always felt that my role is only to say "No, that's too low" and then give the balls back to be sorted out. Sitting at the side of the pitch pumping away isn't quite the dignified, in-control image I'm usually trying to give off in the first few minutes after arriving!
 
When people say "I will alter the pressure" - what do they mean by that? If the pressure is low, will you sit there with a hand pump increasing it? I've always felt that my role is only to say "No, that's too low" and then give the balls back to be sorted out. Sitting at the side of the pitch pumping away isn't quite the dignified, in-control image I'm usually trying to give off in the first few minutes after arriving!

yep thats exactly what i do , some people can pull that look off ! :)

actually, when ive pulled managers up on it they usually offer, but i dont mind doing it... if they too inflated ive usually got the pressure guage to hand in any case and after all, its only a press of a button.
 
I just give the ball a squeeze and a bounce. Should I be doing more? Do I need a pressure gauge? If so, can anyone recommend one (not too pricey!)

Thanks

J
 
I just give the ball a squeeze and a bounce. Should I be doing more? Do I need a pressure gauge? If so, can anyone recommend one (not too pricey!)

Thanks

J

theyre not very expensive @RefJef less than an Ayrton, i'll dig out a link for you .... although squeeze and bounce technology is cheaper :)
 
I think you all have far too much time on your hands, personally i couldn't give a toss. If the ball has air it in then lets play.
 
What a load of faffing about, hold ball both hands press firmly should be slight give, if not too hard, if so just right ...... job done
 
What a load of faffing about, hold ball both hands press firmly should be slight give, if not too hard, if so just right ...... job done

Except ....if you're a NAR, you might get asked to check the match balls by the referee - some might want a more precise check than that!;)
 
It's seems fairly common where I am at least for refs to use a pressure gauge.

Mine cost a couple of quid and seems more accurate than giving it a squeeze and a bounce
 
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