Question Number: 20232

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 10/13/2008

RE: Adult

david castro of phoenix, az usa asks...

law 8 START AND RESTART OF PLAY - IN A DROP BALL SITUATION,THE REFEREE HAS THE RESPONSIBILTY OF DROPPING THE BALL.DOES THE REFEREE HAVE TO DROP THE BALL FROM A CERTAIN DISTANCE? WITH A CERTAIN FORCE?WHAT IS THE CORRECT WAY OF DROPPING THE BALL FOR REFEREES?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Laws of the Game:
'Procedure
The referee drops the ball at the place where it was located when play was stopped, unless play was stopped inside the goal area, in which case the referee drops the ball on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the ball was located when play was stopped.
Play restarts when the ball touches the ground.'

USSF Advice to Referees:
'8.5 DROPPED BALL
There is no requirement that players from both teams?or that any player?must take part at a dropped ball.
A dropped ball must be 'dropped,' not thrown down. The referee should hold the ball in the palm of the hand at waist level with the other hand on top of the ball. At the proper moment, the referee should then pull away the hand beneath the ball and let it drop, taking care that the players do not play it until it has hit the ground. If the dropped ball leaves the field without having been played, the ball must be dropped again where it was previously dropped. The goalkeeper may participate at dropped balls.'

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Stand at the spot where the ball will be dropped. Hold the ball at your waist, then remove your hand and let gravity do the rest.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Dave,
The mechanics of a drop ball are very simple! My colleagues give you the straight goods as it were. What is a bit more involved is the participation factor.

The drop must be neutral if two opposing players are contesting. I have seen referees (feeling the opposition should not participate) choose to place their body in-between and only drop to one player. While FAIR PLAY is an ideal, not all persons subscribe to the etiquette or even fully understand it.

Sometimes a referee can drop it to one player be it when one team will say we will give the ball back or say to the keeper so ball possession is maintained. This is permitted and is considered a standard of FAIR PLAY etiquette for those who relish the historical perspective.

A neutral referee could council what the options are, but while the referee might frown on the participation and really look close at the least technical aspect to find fault he cannot deny a legal participant his right to participate.
Cheers