Question Number: 27078

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 12/21/2012

alyssa of sumner, usa asks...

if the goalie falls down with an injury when has control of the ball with his hands inside his area, do you give them a drop ball? or is there another correct type of restart for this?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Alyssa: When play is stopped because of an injury, the restart is always a dropped ball.

A dropped ball restart, however, does not have to be contested by two opposing players. In most cases, once the player's injury has been resolved, the referee can drop the ball near the keeper. She can pick up the ball after it touches the ground. Justice restored.

The referee cannot force an uncontested dropped ball. The referee doesn't have to announce the dropped ball, and can simply move near the keeper. Moreover, the referee can persuade an opponent to leave and explain why it is fair. Sometimes, with young players, the coach can help the player's learn about the tradition to return the ball after an injury.

Note: high school and college rules have a different restart when play is stopped with the keeper in possession.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Alyssa
Generally when the goalkeeper goes down injured with the ball the referee will stop play for the injury to be dealt with. Play will always be restarted with a dropped ball from the location the ball was when play was stopped unless of course there was a foul which was the reason for the injury in the 1st place.
In the modern game it has become accepted practice for the dropped ball restart to be uncontested with the goalkeeper picking the ball up and play continuing as normal.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

A dropped ball is always the restart when the referee stops play for an injury. If playing by FIFA rules, the referee is free to make a quick uncontested drop back to the goalkeeper. In the US, high school and college rules require a player from each team to be present at a dropped ball