When does a dropped ball occur during a game?

A dropped ball occurs when the referee stops the game due to a situation that affects the integrity of play, such as an injury to a player. In this instance, the game is halted to allow for medical assistance or to ensure the safety of the players involved. After the stoppage for the injury, the referee will restart the game with a dropped ball, which allows both teams to contest for possession fairly since the play was not stopped due to any infraction committed by a team.

In contrast, a goal being scored results in a kickoff rather than a dropped ball, as the game continues following a goal. Similarly, an offside infraction leads to an indirect free kick for the opposing team, not a dropped ball. Lastly, substitutions are managed with a different protocol, where play is typically stopped briefly but does not result in a dropped ball unless there is another reason for stopping the game.