Question Number: 24861

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 4/28/2011

RE: Competitive Under 15

Kristen of Pittsburgh, PA 15217 asks...

Can a team score an own goal (put the ball into their own net)directly from a dropped ball?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Yes.

The referee puts the ball into play, not one of the teams. It is in play when it touches the ground. A goal may be scored, by either team against either team, once that has happened.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Kristen
Once the ball touches the ground at a dropped ball it is in play and a goal can be scored.
However referees/teams should be very careful of 'fair play' dropped ball restarts where a team allows an uncontested dropped ball to be kicked back to the goalkeeper. If a goal is scored it can cause serious match control issues and the referee should manage these situations so that does not happen. If it does happen my advice is to go with a re-drop as it was probably an accident that it did happen and no one will contest the referee's decision of a redrop.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Yup. At the taking of the dropped ball, the ball is in play when it hits the ground. If it leaves the field of play without being touched by any player the ball is redropped so a goal can't be scored unless the ball is first touched by a player.