Question Number: 14885

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 2/23/2007

RE: Rec Under 19

Amir of San Jose, CA USA asks...

Can a player touch the ball more than once after a drop-ball restart? Can a player just get possession and start dribbling, or does it have to be a one touch pass?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The ball is in play once it hits the ground so there is no requirement for a player to not play it twice. In fact, a dropped ball may take place with no players or only 1 players. referees, in the interest of fairness, often will drop the ball to just one player

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Law 8 says, "The referee drops the ball at the place where it was located when play was stopped. * (see page 3)
Play restarts when the ball touches the ground."

Since the gounnd, not the player, is putting the ball into play, there is no second touch restriction.

The "see page 3" footnote refers to a restart that would have taken place inside the goal area, in which case it is moved to the nearest point on the 6-yard line.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yes they can. Infact keeper can even pick it up once ball hits ground.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Yes you can dribble it ifyou gain control no paass is required. On a drop ball it is go time once the ball cotacts the ground. I will say though a drop ball inside a penalty area between a keeper and an opposing player is a receipe for disaster as the kick coming and the hands grabbing do not make for happy endings!
Cheers