Question Number: 26459

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 6/15/2012

RE: Intermediate Under 12

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 26437

Is there another option that would work? We were taught that there was no actual requirement that a player from both teams had to be in the vicinity of a dropped ball. If it was understood (except for perhaps one player) that there would be an uncontested dropped ball, couldn't you drop the ball so that it went back to the team that was in possession at the time of the injury. (Although, as I write this, I can see a bad situation if the attacking team gets the ball close to the opponents goal.)

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
There are lots of options that is possible here. One as you say is that the ball is given back to the team in possession at the dropped ball. Another one is that the ball is kicked out for a throw in.
The one I don't like at underage is when the ball is kicked all the way back to the goalkeeper who perhaps has a poor punt. That IMO is unfair and put the team in possession at a disadvantage.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

In fact Phil, there's no requirement anybody participate at a dropped ball. I must have quickly dropped the ball to the keeper 100 times in my referee career. I've also announced loudly 'I'm dropping the ball' and drop it to nobody.
In general, I don't want to trust the payers to do the right thing. Invariably, this will get you into trouble

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 26572