What procedure is followed during a drop ball situation?

The correct procedure during a drop ball situation is that the ball is dropped at the location where it last touched a player. This method ensures that the game resumes fairly, reflecting the play's last activity. The drop ball occurs in specific circumstances, such as when the game is stopped for an injury that is not caused by a foul, or when the ball has touched a player or the referee unintentionally while in play.

When the referee drops the ball, it must touch the ground before a player can play it, thereby ensuring that no one has an unfair advantage. This procedure mandates that players of both teams maintain a reasonable distance from the ball during the drop to promote fairness.

In this scenario, passing the ball to the nearest player would not accurately represent the game's last action, and kicking it by the referee is not part of the drop ball procedure. Furthermore, continuing the game without stopping would negate the reason for halting play in the first place, undermining the integrity of the match.