Question Number: 22783

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 1/31/2010

RE: Rec Under 13

cassie of Danbury, CT USA asks...

Can a goal be scored directly off of a drop ball once it hits the ground?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Cassie
Yes once the ball touches the ground it is in play so a goal can be scored directly by a player.
With the advent of Fair Play many dropped balls are not now contested. Where the team choose not to contest the referee should be very wary of dropped balls inside the penalty area or where the ball is kicked back towards the keeper. If the ball enters the goal the referee must award the goal and he has a very difficult situation to deal with.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Depends on what exactly you mean by directly here. If the referee drops the ball, and it manages to roll (at least 6 yards) directly into the goal without touching any player, the dropped ball must be redone.

However if you mean the conventional understanding of directly, a touch by only one player, then yes the goal may be scored directly following a dropped ball. Once the ball touches the ground, it is in play and can be scored by any player, just as if it had been in play for several minutes.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

A dropped ball is in play when it hits the ground, and anyone may kick it into the goal. If no one touches the ball before it leaves the field of play, the dropped ball is retaken.