Laws of the Game
2020/21
2. Dropped ball
Procedure
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The ball is dropped for the defending team goalkeeper in their penalty area if, when play was stopped:
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the ball was in the penalty area or
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the last touch of the ball was in the penalty area
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In all other cases, the referee drops the ball for one player of the team that last touched the ball at the position where it last touched a player, an outside agent or, as outlined in Law 9.1, a match official
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All other players (of both teams) must remain at least 4 cm (0.04 yds) from the ball until it is in play
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The ball is in play when it touches the ground.
Offences and sanctions
The ball is dropped again if it:
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touches a player before it touches the ground
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leaves the field of play after it touches the ground, without touching a player
If a dropped ball enters the goal without touching at least two players, play is restarted with:
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a goal kick if it enters the opponents’ goal
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a corner kick if it enters the team’s goal