Question Number: 22839

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/18/2010

RE: Under 17

Dave of Des Moines, IA US asks...

I find it difficult to memorize the restarts for offenses that occur outside of the normal playing circumstances.
Like those that include substitutes, game officials, off the FOP etc.
I'm sure there's a consistent theme or rule to these restarts, but I just can't seem to find it.
I try to memorize them but it seems I always have to go back and look it up because it just doesn't stick in my head.
Would appreciate any help in remembering these restarts. (especially the difference between 'where the offence occured' and the 'where the ball was' restarts.

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

The 2009 ATR has a really helpful matrix for this. A couple of easy-to-remember items:
A) at the point of the infraction restarts: When the event occurs ON the FOP and its restart is addressed in the LOTG. eg: a ball goes defective during active play, the restart is a dropped ball at the point WHERE the ball became defective -- subject to the special circumstances as described in Law 8.
B) where the ball was restart: It's impossible to place the ball for a restart at the point of the infraction if the infraction itself occurred OFF the FOP. Therefore, incidents which occur OFF the FOP, or involve outside elements (e.g: dogs running on the field and interfering with play, a fist-fight breaks out between the two teams on the benches, etc. stoppages in play that are not based on a naturally occurring stoppage, or an infringement on the LOTG, require the restart to be where the ball was when you had to stop play to deal with an outside element.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Dave
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 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.
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. For example two players from the same team start fighting on the FOP while the ball is in play, the restart is an IDFK, Player punches referee while the ball is in play it is an IDFK restart, substitutes runs on the FOP and kicks the ball etc.
Dropped Ball: A dropped ball is used to restart play, when the Referee under the following circumstances has stopped play:
? due to external interference (dog running onto the field of play)
? for a serious injury.
? for any reason not mentioned elsewhere in the Laws of the Game.

If the offence happened on the FOP then the restart is from where the offence happened. If the offence happened off the FOP the restart is from the location of the ball when play was stopped. If it is a dropped ball restart it is always from where the ball was when play was stopped.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The matrix in the ATR is helpful. IFAB has made it more difficult to remember by recent 'exceptions,' but the restart usually comes down to four questions:

1. Is the ball in play?

If no, the restart is for the original reason the ball when out of play.

2. Is the offense by a player?

If no, the restart is a dropped ball except if done by a substitute on the field of play (IFK).

3. Did the player commit the offense on the field of play?

If no, the restart is a dropped ball except if referee judges that player left the field of play to commit the offense (IFK).

4. Did the player commit one of the ten direct free kick fouls?

If no, the restart is an IFK.

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

See Question: 22899

See Question: 24342