Dropped Ball Restarts

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The 'Dropped Ball': Law 5/8

The aim of this page is look at the 'Dropped Ball' restart Procedures.

1. Dropped-Ball re-start:

2. Dropped Ball Procedure:

3. Dropped Ball Infringements/Sanctions:

4. Difference Between a Direct Free Kick, an Indirect Free Kick and a Dropped Ball:

5. Questions and Answers:

Click here for the "Which restart should I award advice page."

Dopey Drops Referee Cartoon by Julian Carosi

1. Dropped-Ball re-start: Go Back to the Top of this Page

Interestingly, the dropped ball terminology came into the laws way back in 1914, when the 1905 words "the referee shall throw it down" were replaced with "drop the ball".

In 1903, the Laws stated, "the Referee shall throw the ball up".

Although the method of releasing the ball has changed several times, the procedure was the same those days as it is now, and the ball comes into play has soon as it touches the ground; thence normal rules apply, and a player can touch it as many times as he likes.

A dropped ball is a way of restarting the match after a temporary stoppage that becomes necessary, while the ball is in play - for any reason not mentioned elsewhere in the Laws of the Game. It is also the method of restarting play, when play has been stopped by the Referee because of an action occurring outside of the field of play (external interference). For example, if two players (because of their momentum) run outside of the field of play, and one of he players prevents his opponent from returning, by holding his shirt, the Referee should stop play and restart it with a dropped ball.

It is also possible, for the path of the ball to be interfered with by an internal foreign object such as, when the ball is deflected from overhanging branches, or overhead electrical wires. A burst ball, is a legal object, but its deflation will also have an effect on the game.

Whether the illegal interference is external (a dog), or internal (overhead wires/burst ball), the dropped ball is the method used to restart the game if the Referee needs to stop play. (See Law 14 The Penalty Kick, for action to be taken as the ball moves forwards).

Tip: If a goalkeeper has been obviously injured in a fair tackle with an opponent, and the goalkeeper still has possession of the ball in his hands but is obviously unable to continue playing - stop play to allow treatment. Restart play by just dropping the ball back to the goalkeeper when he has recovered.

There is nowhere in the Laws which stipulate that you must have two players to complete a dropped ball restart!!!

A dropped ball may sometimes be used to start a charity match where both of the teams are not really competing against each other. It is also sometimes used instead of a place kick in some 6-a-side competitions etc.

In dropped ball situations, the restart in most cases, takes place where the ball was when you stopped play. If the game is stopped when the ball is inside a goal area - restart with a dropped ball on the line marking the outer edge of the goal area, parallel to the goal line at a point nearest to where the ball was in play.

If you (the Referee) have to stop the game because of external (outside of the game) interference, then note position of the ball when the game was stopped; you will need to remember how and where to re-start the game !!!!!!!. It is very easy to remain focused on the cause of the external interference, and then forget where the ball was when you stopped play.

IT IS VERY EASY TO FORGET WHERE THE BALL WAS WHEN YOU STOPPED PLAY !!!!!!!

If the ball was out of play when you stopped the game, use the appropriate restart, i.e. goal kick, throw-in etc.....

When the ball is still in play, any offences committed by players on the actual field of play against team-mates or encroaching officials, coaches, and spectators, must be restarted with the award of an indirect free kick to the opposing team. If the misconduct occurred off the field of play whilst the ball was still in play, the restart should be a dropped ball at the place where the ball was when play was stopped by the Referee.

If when a ball is stopped or deflected by an outside agent such as a dog, or a spectator, then you should award a DROPPED BALL at the place where the incident occurred.

A dropped ball to re-start the match after play has been stopped inside the goal area, takes place on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the ball was located when play was stopped.

At park level games, it is not unusual to have spectators standing very close to the goal posts, who have been know to deflect the ball into the goal by placing a foot into the field of play - or conversely, to even prevent a goal.

If the ball deflects off a dog and then goes into the goal - the goal does not count. This is external interference, and a dropped ball is the correct method for restarting the game.

The reason why Laws 8 has developed into the stage that it is at the moment, is because dropped ball scenarios have already been historically considered in some depth already. The Laws as they stand today are testament to how the players want the game to be played. Hence, this is the reason why a dropped ball is a very good way of restarting the game after dealing with incidents outside of the game.

The loose wording of the dropped ball procedure is another good example of how the Laws have been cleverly written to allow the Referee some discretion as to how many players he can allow during a dropped ball restart. He can have zero, 1, 2, as many players as he likes. This flexibility allows the Referee to make a decision based on the individual incident. If a goalkeeper goes down injured with the ball still in his hands, to restart the game, an astute Referee will drop the ball to the goalkeeper alone. If play is stopped because a dog has entered the filed, then two opponents can contest the dropped ball. If there are 2 seconds to go before the end of the half, and the players don't seem too interested in gathering around for the dropped ball, then what's to stop the Referee dropping it to nobody, then blowing his whistle for the end of the half?

There are some instances when the Referee will want to control a dropped ball restart due to fairness. For example, when an injured goalkeeper in the goal area has the ball controlled with his hands, and the Referee has to stop play due to the injury. In the restart for this situation, the Referee would normally drop the ball directly back to the goalkeeper and would not allow an opponent to participate. It is not necessary for each team to be present for the restart with a dropped ball.

A Referee has no say whatsoever in whether or not a dropped ball is contested. If for example, the Referee has to stop play when the goalkeeper has the ball in his hands, and the other team wants to contest it, then there's nothing the Referee can do about it.

However, there's nothing stopping the Referee from dropping the ball at the goalkeeper's feet before the opponents get there - that's common sense applied within the boundaries of the Laws. If the opposing team want to contest the dropped ball, the Referee could suggest that they let the goalkeeper have it, in the interest of fair play, but that's all the Referee can do.

In the modern game, Referees discourage players from kicking lumps out of each other; there rarely is little justification for a contested dropped ball. The procedure is simple in Law 8: in a large number of cases, the Referee drops the ball at the place where it was located when play was stopped. The players themselves seem to appreciate this last vestige of gentlemanly behaviour, and it is rarely a problem.

2. Dropped Ball Procedure: Go Back to the Top of this Page

The Referee drops the ball at the place where it was located when play was stopped. The Referee should not bounce or throw the ball up in the air. The ball should simply be released from no more than waist level and allowed to fall naturally to the ground.

There is always the chance that during the taking of a dropped ball, the ball will be kicked upwards towards the Referee, so do not leave the whistle in your mouth during dropped balls. Once you have dropped the ball, make a hasty getaway. If the players are 'fired-up', have a word with them first, and say to them "I don’t want any broken legs please, and let the ball touch the ground !!!"

'Dopey Drops One' Referee Cartoon by Julian Carosi

If play has been temporarily stopped inside the goal area, the dropped ball takes place on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the ball was located when play was stopped.

Play restarts when the ball touches the ground.

3. Dropped Ball Infringements/Sanctions: Go Back to the Top of this Page

The ball is dropped again:

if during a dropped ball, a player makes contact with the ball before it has touched the ground. (A player who repeats this offence, must be warned or cautioned for unsporting behaviour.

if the ball leaves the field of play after it makes contact with the ground, without a player touching it

During a drop-ball situation, the ball is in play as soon as it has touched the ground.

The Referee is advised to stand well clear as soon as possible during a dropped-ball situation.
Have a word with the players first, and say to them "I don’t want any broken legs please !!!"

It is not unusual during a game, for the ball to become entangled between players legs, or wedged between players who have fallen onto the ground. This could be dangerous to players. If the ball becomes inadvertently trapped beneath a player (or players). Play should be stopped immediately and restarted with a dropped ball. Stopping play in this instance will undoubtedly prevent unnecessary injury to players. The Referee should not expect players' to stop of their own accord - when a ball becomes trapped beneath players on the ground - the Referee must make a quick decision to stop play. In such situations, it is not uncommon to see three or four players all attempting to kick the ball at the same time. In the 'heat' of a football match, players can lose all sense of decorum, and have even been known to kick violently at the ball when it is near the head of a prostrate player. This is not necessarily done on purpose to injure that player - the speed of the modern game is such that actions to gain possession of the ball can be done a split second and instinctively. Nevertheless, the Referee should send off any player who he believes has purposefully endangered (or injured) a player lying on the floor, by committing a violent act or serious foul play when attempting to gain the ball.

The Referee can consider awarding an indirect free kick if a player lying on the floor is challenged in such a way that the challenging play is deemed to be dangerous. For example, if the ball is positioned very near the head of the player lying on the floor, and an opponent makes a rash attempt to kick the ball, then this could certainly be deemed to be dangerous play. A player does not have to be standing up for dangerous play to be committed against him!

If a crossbar becomes displaced or broken, play is stopped until it has been repaired or replaced in position. If a repair is not possible, the match is abandoned. The use of a rope to replace the crossbar is not permitted. If the crossbar can be repaired, the match is restarted with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when play was stopped.

If there are any head injuries during the game, the Referee should stop play immediately and seek treatment. The restart is a dropped ball, at the location where the ball was when the Referee stopped play.

If the ball bursts - the restart is a dropped ball. But don't drop the 'bust ball'! Find a new one!

4. Difference Between a Direct Free Kick, an Indirect Free Kick and a Dropped Ball:

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It can sometimes be difficult for new trainee Referees to differentiate between a ‘Direct Free Kick’, an ‘Indirect Free Kick’ or a 'Dropped Ball’ restart.

A Direct Free Kick, an Indirect Free Kick or a Dropped Ball can only be awarded if the Referee needs to stop play whilst the ball is in play, and on the field of play.

Direct Free Kick: There are ONLY 10 Direct Free kick offences. The ball must be on the field of play, and the offence must be committed whilst play is in progress. The offence must be committed against the opposing team. A Direct Free Kick cannot be awarded for offences committed between players of the same team, or for offences committed whilst the ball is NOT in play, or for offences committed off the field of play, or for offences committed against the Referee or team officials or spectators etc.

A Direct Free Kick restart cannot be awarded for offences committed whilst the ball is OUT of play.

Dropped Ball: A dropped ball is used to restart play, when the Referee under the following circumstances has stopped play:

due to external interference (such as a dog entering the field of play)

if a serious injury is suspected

after a temporary stoppage that becomes necessary while the ball is in play - for any reason not mentioned elsewhere in the Laws of the Game (such as a player losing his shorts!!)

for any other reason which is not covered by Direct and Indirect Free-kicks.

A dropped ball restart cannot be awarded for offences committed whilst the ball is OUT of play.

Indirect Free Kick: There are hundreds of reasons to restart play with an Indirect Free Kick. Basically, if the stoppage in play is for a foul or an offence that does not merit the award of a Direct Free-Kick, then an Indirect Free Kick is the usual restart.

Please note, that on all the Direct Free Kick, Dropped Ball and Indirect Free Kick restarts, the ball must have been in play when the Referee stops play.

A Free Kick (Direct or Indirect) or a dropped ball restart cannot be awarded for offences committed whilst the ball is OUT of in play.

For example:

If an offence occurs before the ball has come back into play during the taking of a goal kick or a throw–in, play is restarted with either the original goal kick or the original throw-in.

5. Questions and Answers: Go Back to the Top of this Page

Question 1: If whilst the ball remains in play inside the penalty area, and when a defender and an attacker both travel over the goal line near the ball and out of the field of play - the defender holds the attacker back beyond the goal line to prevent him from re-entering the field of play - should the Referee award a penalty kick to the attacking team?

Answer 1: No. The Referee should stop play and caution the defender for unsporting behaviour. The correct restart is a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when the Referee stopped play. A penalty kick can only be awarded when a defender commits a penal offence inside the penalty area. In this instance, the defender committed the offence off the field of play; therefore, a penalty kick cannot be awarded.

Question 2: If whilst the ball is in play, a substitute throws an object at an opponent who is on the field of play, what action should the Referee take?

Answer 2: The Referee should stop play, send-off the substitute for violent conduct, and restart play with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when play was stopped.

Question 3: As the Referee is releasing the ball during a 'dropped ball' situation in the penalty area - a defending player thumps an opponent after the ball has been released by the Referee, but before the ball touches the ground. What action should the Referee take?

Answer 3: Law 8 states that during a 'dropped ball', the ball does not come into play until it has touched the ground. In this instance, the ball had not touched that ground before the defender struck the opponent. The Referee should send off the defender for violent conduct, and restart play with a 'dropped ball'.

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Question 4: If an attacker running with the ball very near the touchline, plays the ball beyond a nearby defender, and then runs over the touchline out of the field of play to run past that defender - what should the Referee do if the defender (who is still on the field of play), puts an arm outside of the field of play, and holds back the attacker to prevent him from re-entering the field of play to regain possession of the ball?

Answer 4: The holding offence actually occurs outside of the field of play. The Referee should stop play and caution the defending player. The correct restart is a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when the Referee stopped play. The Referee cannot award a free kick for an offence committed outside of the field of play. Whilst the ball is still in play, the restart for any offences committed outside of the field of play is always dropped ball.

Question 5: Whilst the ball is still in play, is it a penalty, if the goalkeeper strikes an opponent in the area under the goal net and behind the goal line?

Answer 5: The area under the nets is not part of the penalty area or the field of play. The Referee should send off the goalkeeper, and restart play with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was when play was stopped. If the ball was inside the goal area when play was stopped, then the dropped ball should be taken from that part of the goal area line which runs parallel to the goal line, at the point nearest to where the ball was inside the goal area when play was stopped.

Question 6: Whilst a player was receiving treatment off the field of play, he strikes a spectator who has been giving him some verbal abuse during the game. What action should the Referee take?

Answer 6: The Referee should send - off the player for committing violent conduct. Substitutes can also be sent-off if they commit the same (or a similar offence). If the ball was in play when the offence occurred, the restart is a dropped ball to be taken from the place where the ball was when the Referee stopped play.

Question 7: Is the area under the goal post and under the goal nets part of the field of play or penalty area, and what is the restart for infringements occurring in this area?

Answer 7: No. This area is not part of the field of play or the penalty area. A penal foul committed in this area by a defender on an attacking player would not be a penalty - this area is not part of the penalty area. For example - If the goalkeeper decides to punch an attacker in this area, this is NOT a 'penalty' (but don't forget to send the goalkeeper off for violent conduct).

Beware during corner kicks, of attacking players running into this area whilst the ball is in play from the corner kick, in an attempt to distract the goalkeeper. Any such antics should be curtailed. Players are not allowed to leave the field of play without the Referees permission. If a goal is scored from a corner, and an attacker has purposefully run into this area or around the goalkeeper whilst the ball was in flight, then the goal should not be allowed to stand. This action is deemed as unfair on the part of the attacking player and can be very distracting for the goalkeeper.

Law 12 states that "An indirect free kick can be awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the Referee commits any other offence, not previously mentioned in Law 12, for which play is stopped to caution or dismiss a player." But because the indirect free kick needs to be taken where the incident occurred, an indirect free kick restart cannot be used (because the incident occurred under the goal net and outside of the field of play and whilst the ball was in play).

Therefore, if the incident occurred outside of the field of play whilst the ball was in play, the only restart allowed by Law is a dropped ball to be taken where the ball was when the attacking player stepped under the goal net. Because the offence actually occurs outside of the field of play (under the goal net) - the Referee cannot award an indirect free kick outside of the field of play. The restart for any offences committed outside of the field of play whilst the ball is still in play is always dropped ball. The Referee can also caution the attacking player for either unsporting conduct, or for leaving the field of play without the Referee's permission.

The correct restart is a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when the Referee either stopped play or where the ball was when the attacking player stepped under the goal net. But it is strongly advised that the ball be dropped by the Referee straight to the goalkeeper, and does not involve an attacking player. This way, justice is seen to have been done, and play can resume fairly

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Question 8: During a game, an attacker shoots the ball towards goal. As the ball is making its way towards the goal, a spectator enters the field of play on the halfway line and starts to make his way towards the Referee. The ball crosses the goal line between the goal posts and the Referee blows for a goal. Why didn't the Referee stop play as soon as the spectator entered the field of play? Why isn't the goal disallowed - because of the outside interference of the spectator?

Answer 8: The Referee may or may not have seen the spectator enter the field of play - either way, the Referee had decided to allow play to continue for a few moments because the outside interference did not actually make contact with the ball and had not interfered in any way with the play itself. In this instance, the ball (and play) was some 50 yards away from where the spectator entered the field of play. The Referee had allowed a few moments for the move to finish unaffected by the presence of the spectator.

If the spectator had deflected the ball, or was able to affect the concentration of the players in any way, then the Referee has no option but to stop play and disallow any goal scored. A goal cannot be allowed in this instance, based on where the ball might have gone without any contact or interference by the spectator. The correct restart would be a dropped ball at the place where play was interfered with (keeping in mind the special circumstances outlined in Law 8 when a dropped ball is taken on a point on the 6 yard line parallel to where the interference happened - if it occurred in the goal area.)

Question 9: If an attacking player shoots towards an empty goal, and the ball is stopped from entering the goal by a dog that has run onto the field of play - should the goal be allowed to count?

Answer 9: No. A dog on the field of play is classified as an external interference. If the dog deflects the ball, or was able to affect the concentration of the players, then the Referee has no option but to stop play and disallow any goal scored. A goal cannot be allowed in this instance, based on where the ball might have gone in the absence of the dog. The correct restart is a dropped ball at the place where play was interfered with (keeping in mind the special circumstances outlined in Law 8 when a dropped ball is taken on a point on the goal line parallel to where the interference happened - if it occurred in the goal area.) If a dog, any other animal or child enters the field, the Referee should suspend play until the obstacle is cleared away.

Question 10: As a player shoots the ball towards goal, a spectator comes onto the field of play and runs directly in front of the goalkeeper. The spectator attempts to make contact with the flighted ball but fails. The ball enters the goal. Should the goal count, and how should the Referee restart the game?

Answer 10: Law 5 states that the Referee can stop the match at his discretion if there is any outside interference. Although the spectator did not actually touch the ball, the Referee is in no position to judge whether the ball would have gone into the goal despite the presence of the spectator (even though it probably would have done). The ruling here is quite clear in such instances, the play must be stopped. Law 8 states that a dropped ball is the correct method of restarting the game after a temporary stoppage for any reason not mentioned elsewhere in the Laws of the Game. If the spectator was standing in the goal area, then the dropped ball takes place on the goal line parallel to where he was standing in the goal area. If the spectator was standing elsewhere on the field of play, the dropped ball takes place on the spot where he was interfering with play. The spectator does not have to touch the ball to be deemed as interfering. His presence alone is enough to effect the game and disrupt the thinking of players. A goal should not be allowed (based on where the ball might have gone in the absence of the spectator), and only the Referee can make a decision as to whether interference has indeed occurred.

In all cases when an outside agent interferes with the ball - the correct restart should be a drop ball.

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Question 11: During a game, a player goes down injured. Play continues for a few moments before being stopped by the Referee, just as the goalkeeper gains possession of the ball in his hands. How should play be restarted?

Answer 11: Law 8 states that a dropped ball must be given when restarting a game after a temporary stoppage. The correct restart in this instance is a dropped ball from the position that the goalkeeper was when play was stopped. This may seem unfair, since dropping the ball in the penalty area gives the attacking team an advantage. The easiest and best way to resolve this situation is for the Referee to just drop the ball directly to the goalkeeper, without anyone else being involved with the dropped ball. The game can then continue unaffected. This is where Law 18 Common sense can be used by the Referee. Law 8 does not stipulate a minimum or maximum number of players required for a dropped ball. All the Referee needs to do is to ensure that the offensive team back-off and simply drop the ball to the goalkeeper for the restart. Easy isn't it !!!

If in similar circumstances, the goalkeeper appears momentarily injured, the Referee may ask them to kick or throw the ball as far away from the goal as possible before stopping play. But this may not be reasonable or possible, depending on the seriousness of the goalkeeper's injury. Always err on the side of safety - football comes second when it comes to the well being of players. Very often, a goalkeeper who has dived at the feet of an attacker will injure himself in the process of gathering the ball in his arms. Stop play immediately, if the goalkeeper is lying on the ball and is obviously injured.

Question 12: What action should the Referee take if the ball hits an overhanging tree branch, or an overhead electric cable?

Answer 12: Law 5 states that the Referee "stops the match because of outside interference of any kind".

Outside interference, is an illegal entry into the field of play, which is detrimental to the conduct of the game. It can be a spectator, a substitute, a team official, a photographer, a ball from an adjacent pitch, or an animal. It is also possible, for the path of the ball to be interfered with by an internal foreign object such as, when the ball is deflected from overhanging branches, or overhead electrical wires. A burst ball is a legal object, but its deflation will also have an effect on the game. Whether the illegal interference is external (a dog), or internal (overhead wires/burst ball), the dropped ball is the method used to restart the game if the Referee needs to stop play.

(a) If the deflection was such, that it clearly effected the play action (for example, the deflection diverted the trajectory of a ball that otherwise would have stayed in the possession of the same team), then the Referee should stop play, and restart with a dropped ball at the place where it was located when play was stopped.

(b) If the defection of the ball was such, that it made no difference to the play action, or to the degree of advantage to the team in possession, then the Referee should use common sense in deciding whether to stop play or not. Common sense, says that in most cases of minor contact and minimal deflection, play can be allowed to continue.

(c) If the Referee is unsure - then he should stop play, and restart with a dropped ball at the place where it was located when play was stopped.

Note: There are many different interpretations around the world concerning the status of objects which are already intruding into the field of play as a permanent fixture. Along with overhanging trees and overhead wires, other objects can include rugby goals, or the extended American football type goals directly above the soccer goal, and superfluous items attached to the goal frame. Covers on sprinklers and drainage system components - are also sometimes considered part of the field of play. If the ball leaves the field after contact with any item considered under the local ground rules of the field, (or advice given by a particular country's football authority) to be a pre-existing condition, the restart is usually in accordance with the Laws, based on which team last played the ball...If the ball hits these, they are considered to be part of the field of play, and the game is restarted with with the appropriate restart (e.g. goal kick/corner kick.)
Referees are advised to seek national advice from within their own countries. Otherwise, please feel free to make your own decision based on all of the interpretations given above.
(My own interpretation can be seen in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) above. WebMaster England)

Question 13: After the end of a game, a team said that they are going to appeal against a decision made by the Referee. The Referee had stopped play in a cup match, for treatment to an injured defending player. When play was stopped, the ball was in the possession of the defending goalkeeper.

The Referee intended to restart play with a dropped the ball at the goalkeeper's feet. The goalkeeper would have been unchallenged. However, an attacking player came forward about twenty yards and said he would knock the ball back to the defending goalkeeper. The Referee told the attacking player that there was no need for this, and to get back into position. The attacking player insisted that he would knock the ball back, and he was adamant that is what he wanted to do. In the end, the Referee drops the ball with the attacking player nearby. The ball touches the ground, and instead of gently passing the ball back to the defending goalkeeper (like he said he would) the attacking player shoots and scores a goal. What should the Referee do next?

Answer 13: Law 10 (The Method of Scoring) states:

"A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the laws of the game has been committed previously by the team scoring the goal."

If the attacking player tells the Referee that he will knock the ball back to the goalkeeper, and then directly from the uncontested dropped ball, he proceeds to score a goal instead - this is clearly an infringement of 'unsporting behaviour'. Because the act of deceiving an opponent happened before the goal was scored, the Referee should invoke the following Law 12 (Fouls and Misconduct) clause.

"An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the Referee, commits any other offence, not previously mentioned in Law 12, for which play is stopped to caution or dismiss a player."

The Referee should caution the attacking player for unsporting conduct, and restart play with an indirect free kick taken from where the offence occurred. In this case, at the place where the dropped ball was taken.

Law 8 (The Start and Restart of Play) states that during a dropped ball, play begins at the moment that the ball touches the ground. In the case of this question: The ball is dropped by the Referee and touches the ground: Play begins: The attacking player immediately commits an infringement of 'unsporting behaviour': Play is stopped by the Referee to administer a caution: Play is restarted with an indirect free kick in accordance with Law 12.

The Referee is perfectly entitled to drop the ball back to the goalkeeper alone. An astute Referee faced with this situation will drop the ball uncontested to the goalkeeper (without involving an attacking player (i.e. tell any attacking players to "move away"). This will prevent all sorts of problems like the one mentioned in this question. There is nothing in the Laws to state that a dropped ball must have a certain number of players. Therefore, a dropped ball could have zero players, one player, three players, two players or even 22 players involved! Players are normally receptive to this little bit of common sense following stoppage because of an injury.

The nearer to a goal area that a dropped ball takes place, the greater is the potential for trouble. Therefore, when 'uncontested' dropped balls take place very near to a goal area, the Referee MUST ensure that there is absolutely no chance of an incident like this occurring. In other words, the Referee MUST INSIST that any nearby attacking players should keep out of the way.

During a normal (properly executed) dropped ball when both team players are fairly contesting for the ball, there is nothing to stop a player gaining possession of the ball and immediately scoring a goal.

Finally - if a team states that they are going to appeal against a decision made by the Referee, they would be wasting their time. Law 5 (The Referee) states:

"Decisions of the Referee. The decisions of the Referee regarding facts connected with play are final."

Therefore, even in the very worst case scenario where a Referee disallows a legitimate goal, and play has been restarted, the goal cannot be reinstated. And as soon as a game ends, the decisions made regarding facts connected with play during that game couldn't be changed (irrespective of whether the decisions were correct or not!).

Question 14: A ball is kicked up-field by a Red team defending player, and as the Referee is running to keep up with the play, he glances back and sees the Red team defending player and a Blue team attacking player fighting. The Referee stops play, and sends off the two fighting players for violent conduct. The Assistant Referee is unable to identify who started the fighting. How should the Referee restart play?

Answer 14: Because the Referee is unsure which player started the fighting, it would be unfair to give a free kick to one side or the other. Therefore, the Referee has no option but to restart play with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was when the Referee stopped play. The same goes, if both the opposing players were equally guilty in starting the fight. Had the Referee or Assistant Referee identified which player had commenced the fighting (for example, if Red team defending player started fighting the Blue team attacking player), then the restart would be a direct free kick to the Blue team (or a penalty kick to the Blue team if the incident occurred in the defender's penalty area).

Note: If two members of the same team start fighting and exchanging blows, whilst the ball is still in play, the Referee should stop the match and send both players off for violent conduct. Play should be restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the place where the blood marked the spot!

Question 15: Two cones were left on the field of play as the Referee blew for kick-off. The cones were towards one corner , and where used by the goalkeeper and his trainer in the warm-up before the match. As fate would have it, they were on the "wrong side" from the Assistant Referee who never noticed them, and they were a couple of yards (metres) inside the playing area by the goal line.

This was obviously an oversight by the ground officials, and presumably by the Assistant Referee / Referee / Goalkeeper etc, however my question is - what would have happened if they had been there longer and the ball had hit them? If the ball had hit the cones and been diverted for a corner instead of a throw-in what's the Referee's decision? Corner?

Answer 15: I must confess, this is an interesting constructive question with a simple conclusion. Although the Referee should have checked the condition if the field of play, he should not be condoned for this simple mistake. If the ball had hit the cones within the confines of the pitch, and consequently goes out of play or is deflected, then the restart would have been a dropped ball. A dropped ball is always the restart when play has been interrupted by an outside influence – in which case, the cones were. I hope that this answer is conducive and prevents any confusion?

Question 16: Can an attacking player be called offside if he receives the ball directly from a colleague during the taking of a dropped ball?

Answer 16: Law 8 states that during a 'dropped ball', the ball comes into play as soon as it touches the ground. As soon as the ball touches the ground, normal offside rules apply, and an offside player receiving the ball last touched by a colleague will be deemed to be offside.

Question 17: As the ball was cleared 50 metres up-field from the goal mouth by a defender, the goalkeeper pushes an attacking player whilst they are both standing under the goal net. If the Referee stops the game - what is the correct restart?

Answer 17: The area under the goal net is not part of the field of play, and neither is it part of the penalty area. Therefore - because the offence actually occurs outside of the field of play (under the goal net) - the Referee cannot award a free kick outside of the field of play. And because the offence was not committed inside of the penalty area – a penalty kick cannot be awarded.
If an incident occurs outside of the field of play whilst the ball is in play, and the referee has to stop play, the only restart allowed by Law is a dropped ball to be taken where the ball was when play was stopped.

Question 18: Can a goal be scored direct from a dropped ball?

During a dropped ball, play restarts as soon as the ball touches the ground. If (after the ball has touched the ground) a player takes a kick at the ball and manages to immediately score a goal – the goal would count. During a dropped ball, normal play resumes as soon as the ball hits the ground, so it is no different to scoring a goal normal play (so long as no other infringement occurs).

If the Referee drops the ball and the ball goes into the goal (or out for a throw-in say) without any player touching it, then the dropped ball must be retaken.

Interestingly….a dropped ball is the only restart where a player can legally touch the ball a second time before it has been touched by another player.

Question 19: If whilst the ball remains in play inside the penalty area, a defender and an attacker both travel over the goal line and out of the field of play - the defender holds the attacker back beyond the goal line to prevent him from re-entering the field of play - should the Referee award a penalty kick to the attacking team?

Answer 19: No. The Referee should stop play and caution the defender for unsporting behaviour. The correct restart is a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when the Referee stopped play. A penalty kick can only be awarded when a defender commits a penal (direct free kick) offence inside the penalty area. In this instance, the defender committed the offence off the field of play; therefore, a penalty kick cannot be awarded.

Question 20: As the Referee is releasing the ball during a 'dropped ball' situation in the penalty area - a defending player thumps an opponent after the ball has been released by the Referee, but before the ball touches the ground. What action should the Referee take?

Answer 20: Law 8 states that during a 'dropped ball', the ball does not come into play until it has touched the ground. In this instance, the ball had not touched that ground before the defender struck the opponent. The Referee should send off the defender for violent conduct, and restart play with a 'dropped ball'.

Question 21: The ball is kicked way up-field into the opponent’s half by the goalkeeper. All the players have moved up with play and it is now some seconds later when the Referee turns around, and notices that the same goalkeeper and the only remaining opposing player are punching each other. The Referee stops play and makes his way back to the scene of the trouble. What action should he take?

Answer 21: Firstly - the Referee should send off the fighting players for committing violent conduct.

There are several restarts possible - depending on the circumstances:

(a). If the Referee (and the Assistant Referees) is uncertain who started the fight, then:-

(i) If the ball was in play when the Referee stopped the game the restart would have to be a dropped ball at the place where the ball was when play was stopped by the Referee.

Note: Because the Referee is unsure which player started the fighting, it would be unfair to give a free kick, or award the restart to one side or the other. Therefore, the Referee has no option but to restart play with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was when play was stopped by the Referee.

If the ball was inside a goal area when play was stopped, the dropped ball takes place on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the ball was in the goal area when play was stopped.

(ii) If the ball was out of play when the Referee stopped play, then the restart is the natural restart of the game (for example – a throw-in, goal kick, free kick etc).

(b). If the goalkeeper instigated the fight, then:-

(i) If the ball was in play when the Referee stopped the game, the restart would be a penalty kick awarded against the goalkeeper’s team.

(ii) If the ball was out of play when the Referee stopped play, then the restart is the natural restart of the game (for example – a throw-in, goal kick, free kick etc).

(c). If the attacking player instigated the fight, then:-

(i) If the ball was in play when the Referee stopped the game, the restart would be a direct free kick awarded against the attacking player’s team, to be taken at the place where the incident occurred (inside the penalty area).

(ii) If the ball was out of play when the Referee stopped play, then the restart is the natural restart of the game (for example – a throw-in, goal kick, free kick etc).

Question 22: During the course of the game it was obvious that something had gone on in previous encounters between the two teams - and also during the course of this match there was ill feeling between both sets of players. The Referee had cause to stop the game due to an accidental injury to the goalkeeper. He restarted the game with a dropped ball just outside the penalty area - it appeared that the attacking player would just pass it back to the opponent’s goalkeeper - in fact there was no defending player in the near vicinity of the dropped ball. Instead, following the dropped ball, the attacking player blasted the ball as hard as he could towards the goalkeeper and forced a magnificent save. You can imagine the uproar that went on after this. I know THAT IF THE BALL HAD ENTERED THE NET THE REFEREE MUST AWARD A GOAL BUT WOULD HE BE JUSTIFIED IN CAUTIONING THE PLAYER FOR UNSPORTING BEHAVIOR?

Answer 22: Excellent question - answered by the attacking team in such a way that they went totally against the ‘spirit of the game’.

A more astute Referee would have realised that by dropping the ball to the attacking team, he would be increasing the possibly of something going wrong – and this is why most Referees take the safer option below. A dropped ball does not have to be completed with a set number of players in attendance. In fact the Referee could drop the ball with no players around him. Therefore, Referees in such volatile situations as in the match you mention, would just drop the ball back to the goalkeeper (or a defender if it was outside of the penalty area) - after telling all of the attacking players to keep well out of the way. The Referee could only justify issuing a yellow card, if the attacking player actually said to the Referee beforehand, that he (the attacking player) would pass the ball gently back to the goalkeeper. As far as the Laws themselves are concerned, Law 12 does have a ‘cop-out’ clause that is very useful in these types of situations. It states that the Referee can award an indirect free kick if a player "commits any other offence, not previously mentioned in Law 12, for which play is stopped to caution or dismiss a player." In this case, the attacking player committed an act of ‘unsporting behaviour’ before the ball reached the goal Therefore, by Law, the Referee could award an indirect free kick to the defending team.

Under no circumstances would I personally let a ‘scored’ goal stand in such situations. I would make up some excuse such as: "Sorry pal, but I didn’t drop the ball properly, so we will have to do it once again!"

As a rule of thumb "the nearer you are to the goal – the better it is to just drop the ball to one of the defending players (and no one else.)"
(WebMaster)

Question 23: A substitute who is warming up behind his own goal enters the field of play when the ball is in play. He stops the ball deliberately with his hand, and stops the opposing team from scoring a goal. What action should the Referee take?

Answer 23: The Referee should stop play. The illegal substitute is deemed to be 'outside interference' (see Law 5). The Referee should caution the substitute, and restart play with an indirect free kick at the place where the ball was when play was stopped. If play was stopped when the ball was inside the goal area, the indirect free kick takes place on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the ball was located in the goal area when play was stopped.

Question 23: During a game where Club Assistants were being used, the Referee mistakenly gave an offside, but then realised that he should not have stopped play, because he did not notice that there was an additional defender playing everyone well on-side. The Referee restarted play with an indirect free kick to the defending team. Was this the correct restart?

Answer 23: The part of the Law that covers these types of scenarios can be found in Law 5 (The Start and Restart of play) which states:

"A dropped ball is a way of restarting the match after a temporary stoppage that becomes necessary, while the ball is in play - for any reason not mentioned elsewhere in the Laws of the Game."

The Referee drops the ball at the place where it was located when play was stopped.

Referees should be honest with the players in these situations, and acknowledge that a mistake has been made. In vague situations like this, a Referee can nearly always get a way with any restart he likes, because the players would not have a clue what the proper restart is. But if an astute 'Mr Assessor' is watching - he will tell you that the proper restart is a dropped ball.

Question 24: Can a player be offside direct from a dropped ball?

Answer 24: Prior to the 1990 Laws, Law 11, stated that "a player shall NOT be declared offside by the Referee if he receives the ball when it has been dropped by the Referee". This still applies today, even though it is not specifically mentioned in Law 11. But this must not be confused with the scenario when a Referee drops the ball, it then touches the ground and is touched by an attacking player towards a colleague who is in an offside position - this would certainly be offside. What the pre-1990 advice refers to, is the fact that a player in an offside position cannot be penalised for offside if he receives (properly touches) the ball when the Referee releases it to him during a dropped ball restart.

Question 25: Can a goal be scored direct from a dropped ball?

Answer 25: Law 8 (The Start and Restart of Play) states that as soon as the ball touches the ground, play restarts and normal rules apply. Therefore, - during a normal (properly executed) dropped ball restart, when opponents are contesting for the ball, there is nothing in Law to stop a player scoring by immediately kicking the ball into the goal (so long as the ball touches the ground first). As far the Law goes, this has always been the case - and I have never come across any wording stating that a goal CANNOT be scored direct from a dropped ball.

Note also: If during a dropped ball, the ball touches the ground and travels over the goal line between the goalposts before a player has touched it, the dropped ball shall be retaken. This still applies today, even though it was omitted in the 1997/1998 rewrite/revamp of the Laws.

Question 26: A defending player lying on the floor, holds the ball in between his legs, not letting it go because he is in his penalty area. Releasing the ball would give the attacking team a goal scoring opportunity. An attacking player attempts to get the ball away from the defender by trying to kick the ball out of his legs (not making contact with the player). What should the Referee do?

Answer 26: If you turn your head at right angles, the player on the floor is doing nothing different to if he was standing upright. A player standing upright is perfectly entitled to hold the ball between his legs. A player with the ball held between his legs (whether he is on the floor of standing up) is no danger to anyone. But because of the competitive nature of the game, the situation is potentially dangerous. The Referee has a duty of care in such potentially dangerous occurrences, and should stop play as soon as an opponent makes a move for the ball. The player who is holding the ball between his legs, has not committed an offence punishable by a free kick or penalty - hence no obvious goal scoring opportunity Law has been breached. If the Referee stops play (as he should do, to prevent injury) the restart should be a dropped ball. Similar occurrences happen when a ball becomes trapped under a player when he falls down.
In such cases, it's better for the player involved to retain his 3 balls instead of two!

Question 27: A Referee awards an offside to the defending team. An attacking player correctly points out to the Referee, that a second defender on the far side of the field of play was keeping all of the attacking players onside. The Referee realises his mistake. How should he restart the game?

Answer 27: A free kick can only be awarded for an infringement committed by a player on the field of play. In this question, as there was no player infringement, and the stoppage was the result of a mistake made by the Referee, a dropped ball restart (in accordance with Law 8) is the only legal solution. The Referee should be honest, own up to the mistake and apologise to both teams. But one small note of warming - the nearer to the goal the dropped ball is, the more problems may occur.

Question 28. The goalkeeper had released the ball from his hands and was dribbling the ball with his feet towards the edge of the penalty area when the Referee noticed some blood on the goalkeeper's knee. The Referee stopped play with the ball remaining inside the penalty area. The Referee restarted play with a dropped ball inside the penalty area with only the goalkeeper present. Can the goalkeeper use his hands to collect the ball after it has been dropped by the Referee?

Answer 28: As soon as the ball is dropped by the Referee and touches the ground, play is restarted. Normal rules now apply, and the goalkeeper is therefore allowed to handle the ball inside his own penalty area.

Question 29:
An attacking player is dribbling the ball towards his opponent's goal, and the goalkeeper rushes out, and dives down low to make a grab for the ball, just as the attacker shoots. The attacker ends up accidentally kicking the goalkeeper in the face, giving him a broken nose. The attacker had intended to kick the ball, but the action of the goalkeeper was such, that the goalkeeper placed his face low down to the ground, near the vicinity of the ball. What should the Referee do?

Answer 29: Firstly, the attacking player had not committed any offence. The attacker, would have reasonably expected, to have been able to kick a ball that was close to (or on) the ground, without the action being dangerous. By placing his head low to the ground, the action of the goalkeeper changes the situation from a non-dangerous, to a dangerous play situation. When this type of incident occurs between two players who are not goalkeepers, the Referee will normally penalise the player who lowered his head to create the dangerous play situation, and award an indirect free kick to the team of the player who kicked the ball. But in reality, when goalkeepers are involved, Referees are more than likely to stop play, and restart with a dropped ball.

Why?

Because goalkeepers are allowed to make challenges with their hands. And because there is an established trend by Referees, to protect goalkeepers, more so, than in years gone by. This has resulted in many injuries on goalkeepers being prevented. This positive shift towards a safer play environment has resulted in attacking players becoming more sensible when challenging goalkeepers. Very often, you will see an attacker jump up, and leap over a goalkeeper, to prevent a collision - rather than make an attempt to challenge for a 50/50 ball. Thus, the evolution of sensible Law interpretation has made the game safer.

Presuming that the incident is not a penal offence, and that the Referee has stopped play - the restart options are:

(a). Award an indirect free kick to the team of the attacking player, because his opponent (the goalkeeper) was deemed to have played in a dangerous manner.

(b). Award an indirect free kick to goalkeeper's team, because the attacker was deemed to have played in a dangerous manner.

(c). Restart play with a dropped ball.

The Laws have been written in such a way, that it almost indirectly encourages a goalkeeper to subconsciously make such challenges, because he is given the right to use his hands in his own penalty area.

The correct restart above is definitely not (b); it could be (a); but is more than likely to be (c).

Question 30: An attacking player shoots the ball towards for goal, but slices the ball so that instead of heading towards the goal, the ball heads 10 metres to the right of the goal, obviously going out for a goal kick.
Before the ball has travelled out for a goal kick, a dog runs onto the field of play and deflects the ball, which subsequently goes out for a goal kick. If the Referee awards a dropped ball in accordance with Law 8, this would give an unfair advantage (no matter how small) to the attacking team (as the ball was obviously going out for a goal kick). Should the Referee use common sense and award a goal kick instead?

Answer 30: The restart should not be a goal kick, but a dropped ball in accordance with the Laws as follows:
Law 5 states that it is the duty of the Referee stop play "because of outside interference of any kind" (in this case, the dog). The restart in accordance with Law 8 is a dropped ball [a dropped ball is a way of restarting the match after a temporary stoppage that becomes necessary, while the ball is in play - for any reason not mentioned elsewhere in the Laws of the Game].
The dropped ball takes place where the ball was located when play was stopped. (i.e., where the ball was interfered with by the dog).

The Referee could use his discretion, concerning the number of players required to participate in the dropped ball [the number of players required is not stipulated in the Laws]. For example, the Referee could ask the attacking team to keep away, and drop the ball to the goalkeeper.

Because the ball was definitely going out for a goal kick before the dog interfered; this solution (more fairly) gives possession back to the defending team. The Referee should also ask the goalkeeper to wait a few moments before picking the ball up, to allow the Referee to regain his position near the halfway line.

Question 31: The ball is in play. A manager leaves the technical area, enters the field of play and strikes one of the opposing players in the face.

What action should the referee take?

Answer 31: In these types of scenarios, in real life, a Referee can almost do what he instinctively thinks is right (e.g. dropped ball, indirect free kick etc) and nobody would be any the wiser.

Nevertheless, let us look at this scenario logically in accordance with the Laws:

A free kick can only be awarded for an offence committed by a player or a substitute (Law 12).

Is the manager a player or substitute? No.

Therefore, the Referee should stop play because of outside interference (Law 5).

The manager should be asked to remove himself from the vicinity of the field of play, and informed that a report of his misconduct will be sent to the FA.

The restart must be a dropped ball, due to play being stopped for a temporary stoppage. The ball is dropped at the place where it was located when play was stopped (Law 8).

This is the end of this 'Dropped Ball' page

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