Question Number: 35919

Law 8 - The Start and Restart of Play 5/23/2025

RE: Rec Under 19

Greg Newberg of Ventura, CA USA asks...

This may seem like a nitpicky question, but I referee with a group who love to spend time digging into the minutiae of the LOTG, and who strive to correctly even the nitpicky things. In the not-too-distant past, I would always give a quick tweet of my whistle when restarting with a dropped ball a whistle is not necessary for a dropped ball restart.

In the Guidelines for Match Officials section of the IFAB LOTG (2024–25 edition), it states that a whistle is not needed for a dropped ball restart. But it also says that a whistle is necessary to restart after an injury. Of course a dropped ball is often the correct restart after an injury.

So, when restarting with a dropped ball, an interpretation of the LOTG guideline is that you don’t blow the whistle for a dropped ball unless play was stopped for an injury.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
Whistle use is only part of the Guidelines and it is not part of the Laws of the Game.
The guidelines are there to assist referees in officiating.
Now I watch many games and whistle use varies significantly among referees. For some referees they use the whistle for many situations such as goals which is not required
As to the drópped ball restart I think referees have to look at each situation differently and decide accordingly.
For instance a ball hitting a referee may result in no need for a whistle for the immediate restart while a lengthy stoppage may requires a whistle to alert players that the game is restarting.
Indeed whistle use in the LotG has only limited references such as to start / stop the game or at a penalty kick. For example an *on the whistle* restart is not an error in law if a whistle is not used just bad mechanics.
So a whistle on a drópped restart while not in the guidelines it is not something that is going to be questioned in a game setting.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Greg,

Unfortunately, due to some bug in the software, whenever someone tries to use the phrase "drópped ball" (without the accent of course), a chunk of what they've typed, disappears.

Anyway, while we can't see the entirety of your intended query, I think there's enough to get the gist.

You are absolutely right that there is a contradiction inherent in the guidelines as to whether a whistle is required for a drópped ball restart after an injury.

If the drópped ball is not following an injury, then I think it's fairly clear that a whistle is not required but if it is after an injury and because it is possible to make an argument for both options, I think I'm going to sit on the fence on this one and say that it's up to each referee to choose what is the best course of action.

Sorry if that sounds like a bit of a cop out but the laws document is not much help here.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi. Greg. ,
It’s interesting that despite all efforts toward consistency—through training seminars, peer reviews, and firmly established guidelines—a referee’s own style and personality inevitably comes into play. A referee’s ability to manage the diverse personalities on the field is just as crucial as their technical grasp of the game.

Referees are rigorously trained both physically and mentally not only to understand the laws of the game but to implement them in a way that players, managers, fans, pundits, and peers can depend upon. This quest for consistency is woven into the published guidelines, which cover sound mechanics, physical fitness, proper positioning, an acute awareness of the flow of play, and close coordination with assistant referees, fourth officials, and even VAR when applicable. These standards drive the pre- and postgame discussions, training seminars, assessments, and peer reviews—all in the name of maintaining order on the field.

Yet, for all this structure, each referee remains an individual with distinctive idiosyncrasies. The laws of the game aren’t so rigid as to eliminate personal judgment while referees base their decisions on established guidelines, their execution is inevitably coloured by their unique personality and character.

Consider the whistle—a deliberate tool akin to voice commands, body language, or the piercing eyes and a poised hand reaching for a card.

Referees even tailor their whistle blows to different moments in a match. The signal sounded at halftime is usually distinct from that at full time, and not every obvious play violation—like a ball clearly kicked over the touchline or goal line—necessitates a whistle. Players should understand the laws well enough to grasp the "why" behind stoppages and restarts, allowing them to tactically evolve. While a referee in youth soccer might adopt a more teachable approach, it isn’t solely up to them to educate on tactics teams deserve quick restarts without interruption, which is why free kicks can sometimes occur without any whistle at all.

This mindful approach extends to other aspects of the game as well, such as the al the restart the referee’s extended arm holding the ball is indication enough that a drop ball is coming. Yet, after a long delay, a short blast of the whistle may be used to rouse everyone with a clear, almost urgent, “Let’s get moving.”

Every variation in whistle usage is a deliberate act—a tool to convey intent, authority, urgency, and even raw emotion. A sharp, quick tweet subtly suggests “Let’s keep the game moving,” whereas a long, forceful blast signifies a significant decision demanding attention