Question Number: 20215

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 10/11/2008

RE: 9 Under 13

Matt of Pembroke, Ma USA asks...

When do you use a dropped ball when someone gets injured or is it something else

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

If the player is injured as a result of the action of an opponent for which the referee would call a foul, then the restart follows the foul. If play is stopped because a player is injured, that can't be a free kick restart.

A dropped ball exists as a way to start play when there isn't another restart required by the Laws. For instance, an offside call has a proscribed IDFK restart. Fouls and Misconduct have either a DFK/PK or IDFK restart. Goals have a kick-off, balls out over the touchlines have throw-ins, etc.

Stopping play because of an injury to a player doesn't have a set restart. So, the referee falls back on the dropped ball as the only possible restart.

If play is stopped to chew out a couple of opponents, but a card isn't given, a DB is the restart. If play is stopped because somebody's dog jogs onto the field and stops a ball from entering the goal, the referee has to drop the ball for the restart. Make sense?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

A drop ball restarts the match if the match is stopped for any reason not covered in law. Basically if the team's /players themselves are not at fault for the stoppage, just what is a fairway to restart play? A neutral drop ball was deemed as best. Law 8 the start and restart of play!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The use of a dropped ball to restart the match is used when no other restart is given in the Laws Of The Game. A stoppage for injury is one of those times. An inadvertant whistle is another. ANother is when an outside agent interferes with play