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A dropped-ball (or drop-ball) is a method of restarting play in a game of association football (soccer).
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 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), and attempts by other players to become involved may be considered unsporting behaviour, which is punishable by a caution (yellow card).
If a player touches the ball before it touches the ground, the drop-ball is retaken. A player who persistently does so may be given a caution (yellow card).
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