A dropped-ball is a method of restarting play in a game of association football. It is designed to offer no advantage to either side, generally being awarded when play has been stopped due to reasons other than normal gameplay or misconduct.

Award

A drop-ball is not awarded to either team; rather it is used to restart play when the referee has stopped play for any reason not listed for another form of restart. Examples include when play has been stopped due to serious injury to a player, interference by an external party, or a ball becoming defective.

Procedure

The ball is dropped by the referee at the point where the ball was when play was stopped, unless this is within a goal area in which case it is dropped on the goal area line parallel to the goal line.

The ball becomes in play as soon as it touches the ground. Players must not touch the ball until it has touched the ground.

If the ball leaves the field of play before it has been touched by a player, the drop-ball is retaken.

Infringements

There is no mention in the Laws of the Game as to how many players may take part in a drop-ball or where they may be positioned. However, it is traditional that a drop-ball occurs between a maximum of two players (one from each team).

If a player touches the ball before it touches the ground, the drop-ball is retaken.

Use in the modern game

This method of restarting play is rarely used in modern adult football as the players almost always elect to kick the ball out of the side of the field (thus taking it out of play) when an event requiring the stoppage of play — most often an injury — occurs. After the situation has been resolved, the opposing team who gained a throw-in

Throw-in

A throw-in is a method of restarting play in a game of Association football.-Procedure:The throw-in is taken from the point where the ball crossed the touch-line. The throw-in is taken by the opponents of the player who last touched the ball when it crossed the touch-line, either on the ground or...

typically concede possession to the other team after returning the ball in to play, as a gesture of good sportsmanship.