Question Number: 28643

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 8/8/2014

RE: Training Under 12

James Lawson of Dronfield, Derbyshire England asks...

Can there be a drop ball inside the goal area (6 yard box)?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

No!
Not inside, only along the outermost line 6 yds. out from goal
The restart location for a drop ball occurs using the same criteria as if an indfk was awarded to the opposition, using the law 13 special circumstances on the goal area line parallel to the goal line as a determination of the restart location quote 'an indirect free kick awarded inside the goal area must be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred!'

LAW 8 The Start and Restart of Play
Procedure
The referee drops the ball at the place where it was located when play was stopped, UNLESS play was stopped inside the goal area, in which case the referee drops the ball on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the ball was located when play was stopped.

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The only restarts that can begin inside the goal area is a goal kick or a free kick for the defense, and even then, most teams chooses to take the kick on or near the six yard line.

The dropped ball restart is at the part of the six yard line which is parallel to where the ball was located when play was stopped.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi James
when play is stopped inside the goal area and it necessitates a dropped ball the drop is made on the 6 yard line nearest to where the ball was located when play was stopped.
It is a fairly rare occurrence and in the modern game rarely contested. So much so that there has been a couple of high profile errors in drops in these locations in recent times.