when do you do a drop ball in soccer
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 .