Question Number: 29940

Law 9 - The Ball in and out of Play 11/22/2015

RE: High School

Bob of Ft Lauderdale , FL USA asks...

If two opposing players go to the ground in a collision and Team A's player has clear control of the loose ball. The official stops play to attend to the players. Is play resumed with an indirect free kick for Team A? Or is it a drop ball at the site of the collision?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bob
It is an indirect free kick to Team A as per Rule 9 Section 3 as Team A had clear possession of the ball before play was stopped to deal with the injury.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Bob,
high school soccer has a different interpretation than FIFA in regard's to injury stoppages. Given the INDFK is a free kick as a referee I might look for a restart spot that is not, say, a few feet in front of an opposing goal? Yet depending on the circumstances the team taking the free kick has an option of what they feel is fair as well.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

Bob,
What you describe would require an indirect kick from the point where the ball was when play was stopped. Here is the Rule (9-3) from page 40 of the NFHS Rules Book: In case of an injury ....., if one team is clearly in possession of the ball (as you indicated), the game shall be restarted by an indirect free kick by the team in possession of the ball at the point where the ball was when play was suspended...........

I hope that you have a great high school season and get to work the February FHSAA championship games in Melbourne.