Question Number: 26164

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 4/11/2012

RE: Rec and Competetive High School

Walter Lee of Trinidad, Colorado USA asks...

What is the procedure for a Drop Ball Restart

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Walter
A dropped ball is a method of restarting play when, while the ball is still in play, the referee is required to stop play temporarily for any reason not mentioned elsewhere in the Laws of the Game.
This is what the ATR has to say on the procedure
'' 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.''
The LotG states the ball is dropped again:
# if it is touched by a player before it makes contact with the ground
# if the ball leaves the field of play after it makes contact with the ground, without a player touching it
In Europe the ball is held in the palm of one hand and then that hand is removed allowing the ball to drop.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

There is one difference between high school (NFHS) and TLOG. NFHS rules require that the ball be dropped between two opposing players. (NFHS rules do not specify how far apart the two opposing players may be, so a dropped ball nearer one player is not against the rules.) There is no such requirement under TLOG.

In a contested dropped ball, there is an advantage to placing one hand on top of the ball, one hand below, and releasing the ball by moving the one below. The hand over the top of the ball helps prevent the ball being kicked up and into the referee's face!

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

My colleagues cover this well - I would simply add that except for HS, where a player from each team is required to be present, there is no requirement that any player, or any particular number of players or combination thereof be present for a dropped ball.

Thus, if all players wish to participate (not a great idea), they can. The referee must simply insure the ball hits the ground before it is kicked ( this is an issue when a dropped ball is contested, because they all want to kick it as quick as possible, which often results in the ball being kicked before it hits the ground). Retake if it does not hit the ground first.

Often a referee will drop the ball back to a keeper who had possession, but play had to be stopped for an injury. This simply puts the ball back where it was before play was stopped, and on we go. There is no right to contest a dropped ball, per se, but note the referee cannot refuse to let a player participate. We can suggest that's not a good idea and why, and we can be most persuasive, for the good of the game.