Question Number: 25568

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 10/8/2011

RE: Rec Under 14

Alex of Tiburon, California United States asks...

I was refereeing a U-14 Rec game today and immediately after the goalie picked up the ball for a punt, two dogs ran onto the field. I stopped play, and after getting them off, I allowed the goalie to go ahead and punt the ball. Should I have restarted play with a dropped ball from within the penalty box?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

You should have restarted with a dropped ball. But there's no reason you can't drop the ball directly to the goalkeeper, who can then pick it up. You should even inform the keeper of that. Once you drop the ball and the keeper has it again, you might call out, 'Ball's in play!' - just so everyone knows.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

The correct restart is a drop ball.

Bear in mind that the laws don't require a set number of players to attend the drop ball - but they also don't permit you to prevent any player from attending.

The trick is to drop the ball right in front of the keeper before any attacker has the chance to decide to contest the ball. Odds are they wouldn't contend, but it helps to minimise risk.

This is the case for any time when play is stopped for something other than a foul and the ball is in the keeper's hand.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Alex
The correct restart is a dropped ball and in equity the ball can be dropped so that the GK can pick the ball up again and play contines.