Drop Ball restart

One of the rule changes for 2019 involves rule 9.2, Drop Ball. Of the four situations in 9.2.1, the most common is when play is stopped for an injury or unusual situation (c). If play is suspended for an injury, a drop ball is the proper restart unless the goalkeeper is in possession of the ball at the time play is suspended, in which case the restart is an indirect free kick. Even if the keeper has the ball in his/her hands, the restart is an IFK, not a punt. As a reminder, stop play immediately if a player has a head injury. Otherwise, use your judgment to determine when play should be stopped. If a player has a minor injury, away from the ball and not interfering with play, consider letting play continue until the ball is in a neutral area on the field, i.e. middle third. This is not a requirement, but something to think about in the spirit of fair play.