Question Number: 21825

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 8/24/2009

RE: Other

Sarah K of San Antonio, TX USA asks...

A question about drop balls, if I may. I've been told that the ref cannot dictate WHO can participate in a drop ball, but we've been discussing whether the ref can dictate HOW MANY can participate. To the best of my knowledge, the Law does not say anything about it. If I'm correct in that, is it a 'yes, the ref can decide because it doesn't say he can't,' or a 'No, the ref can't decide because it doesn't say he can'? If the former, then one could argue the ref can say WHO can participate too (i.e '#6 and #4, come here for a drop ball'). If the latter, then how can the ref 'dictate' a drop to one player (e.g. the keeper was holding the ball when the whistle was blown for an injury to a field player)? Or is it all a 'traditional' thing like kicking the ball out (followed by a 'courtesy' throw-in) when there's an injury?
Appreciate any light you can shine on this one.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

You are correct, the Laws do not say how many people can participate at a dropped ball. It could vary from all 22 (absurd) to none. (And I've done it with none, in a U8 game when I couldn't get the players' attention. I finally dropped the ball and shouted, 'The ball's in play!')

You are also correct that the referee cannot specify who can or cannot participate. But the ref can use the strength of his personality to influence who may or may not decide to participate. 'Blue, we stopped play to deal with the injury after your attack was finished and their goalkeeper had control of the ball. The fair thing would be for me to drop it to the keeper for him to pick it up again, right?'

The other 'traditional' dropped ball restart is for one team to volunteer to kick it back to the other team's keeper.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The dropped ball is in play when it hits the ground, but not if it is kicked before it hits the ground. Inherent in this little fact is the ability of the referee to deal with too many players around the ball. Too many? I'm sure the ball never hit the ground. Let's do it again, and again if necessary to provide some safety and sanity.

As for drops to the keeper, my standard line has always been along the lines of 'If this was your keeper, and it may be at some point in the game, wouldn't you want the ball back in his hands?' They grumble and move off. Never had that fail. Dropping the ball back to a keeper who had possession when the whistle was blown isn't dictated by the ref so much as proposed as the fair means of restarting play. Mind you, if an attacker is pressing the issue, see paragraph one.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

The drop ball restart is a supposed FAIR means to restart play when no foul or infringement by either side had occurred but we had to stop play and now a restart must occur .
Traditionally one player from each team vies for possession once the ball hits the ground although NOTHING in law states this MUST be. Hence we could have drop balls to single players, groups of players or even no players.

If there are a gathering of players remember that the ball must contact the ground BEFORE being kicked AND it is a FOUL to kick an opponent. A referee can usually make the fair play point as needed.

As my colleagues alluded to it is not uncommon to drop solely to the keeper or have one team indicate they will kick the ball back to their opponents as a sporting gesture. To offer to do so and not follow through is an act that is in my opinion USB!
Although in USA high school I believe rather than drop balls they award indfk for the team with ball possession at least in injury situations.

You are correct a referee cannot dictate who participates or deny a legal player that wants to do so but he could point out the consequences of unfair actions and tit for tat circumstances. Using our personality and character on the pitch we can educate players in traditional fair play options and if there are those who fail to comprehend FAIR PLAY protocall we can look a bit harder at any indiscretions that might follow!

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The Law requires no one at a dropped ball and also excludes no one from participating at a dropped ball. In the interest of fairness and keeping the Spirit of the Law in mind, the referee often quickly drops the ball to the keeper or a specific player. In American High School, 1 player from each team must participate at a dropped ball

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

The referee has absolutely no say over who participates in a drop ball, and the laws of the game state nothing about it.

However, the referee doesn't have to invite players to participate or wait for them to approach - if one team is in clear possession at the time of stoppage and one of their players is in position for the drop ball (quite common if play needs to be stopped for a keeper injury whilst that keeper is in possession), the referee can simply drop it in front of that player without waiting around for the other team to decide to compete in the restart. This is a legitimate method the referee can use to ensure fairness.

If one team says that they will return the ball to the opponents after the drop ball, but retain possession, then the player concerned should be cautioned for unsporting behaviour and play resterted with an indirect free kick to the opposition.

A referee may remind players of who was in possession and what would normally occur as part of fair play, but if the players choose to waive that and participate in a drop ball there is nothing the referee can do about it - although some referees will be quite convinced that this player kicks the opponent or plays in a dangerous manner whilst contesting the drop ball....