Drop Ball

A drop ball restarts play after a stoppage not covered by other restart rules — such as an injury or a ball hitting the referee. Since 2019, drop balls go directly to the goalkeeper or the team that last had possession.

The full rule

The drop ball was simplified in 2019. If play is stopped inside the penalty area, the ball is dropped for the goalkeeper. If stopped elsewhere, it goes to a player from the team that last touched the ball. Only one player from that team is involved. This eliminated the old awkward contested drop where both teams had to compete for the ball. The ball is in play when it touches the ground. Opponents must be at least 4 metres away.

Key points

✓Since 2019, drop ball goes to the team that last had possession
✓If inside the penalty area, the ball goes to the goalkeeper
✓Only one player from the receiving team is involved
✓Opponents must be at least 4 metres away
✓Ball is in play when it touches the ground

Scenarios

Scenario 1

Injury stoppage outside the penalty area

No foul

Play is stopped for an injury. The attacking team had possession when play stopped.

Correct call: Drop ball to the attacking team at the location of the last touch. Only one attacking player receives it.

Common mistake: Returning the ball to the team that kicked it out or using the old contested drop ball procedure.

Scenario 2

Ball hits referee and leads to a goal

No goal

The ball deflects off the referee into the path of an attacker who scores.

Correct call: If the deflection significantly changed the course of play, the referee should stop play and restart with a drop ball.

Common mistake: Allowing the goal to stand because the ball hitting the referee used to be considered part of play. The rules now give the referee discretion to stop play.