Question Number: 32554

Law 8 - The Start and Restart of Play 6/30/2018

RE: Grade 8 competitive, amateur Under 19

Ivan Cardona of Hallandale, Fl Usa asks...

Does the referee need to blow the whistle on a dropped ball restart. I ask since it's called and play atopped with a whistle a whistle is needed to restart. I get told Diffrent ways but I see in the world cup the referees don't whistle on dropped balls. I usually voice to the teams clearly that here we go.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Ivan,
no whistle is REQUIRED for a drop ball, although technically you are not supposed to surprise drop it only to one party as both teams in law have a right to contest it. Often one team will RETURN the ball as a FAIR PLAY moment The premise of the drop ball is simple though once it hits the ground it is in play! NOT before!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Ivan,
The referee does not need to blow the whistle for a dropped ball restart. The law quite clearly says this as follows:

''The whistle is NOT needed to:
[...]
- restart play from:
- most free kicks, and a goal kick, corner kick, throw-in or dropped ball''

The whistle for restarts is basically for situations where there is some doubt over whether the players should go ahead or there is a need to indicate to the players that the referee is ready for the restart to happen. When a referee is conducting a dropped ball, it is clear when the ball is dropped that this is the signal for play to restart, so they're isn't really any need for a whistle.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Ivan
Referee Grove has quote the relevant section of the Law. A whistle is not normally required.
However the Law also states that
A whistle is needed to restart play after it has been stopped for a:
# caution or sending-off
# injury
# substitution
Many times on a dropped ball it is because of an injury which can take a while to resolve. I always felt that it is helpful with a longish stop to get players attention to the game restarting again on a DB with a whistle. If it is just part of regular play with everyone switched on a whistle is not required.