When is the ball in play on a dropped ball?

The ball is in play on a dropped ball when it touches the ground after being released by the referee. This moment marks the official start of play following the drop, and players are then allowed to compete for possession as soon as the ball touches the ground. This is clearly outlined in the Laws of the Game, which dictate that play resumes immediately upon the ball making contact with the field.

Other choices, while they might imply actions involving the ball, do not correctly reflect the specific moment when the play officially restarts. For example, the idea that the ball is in play only when kicked or when a teammate touches it does not align with the rules, as those actions occur after the ball has initially touched the ground. Similarly, the notion of waiting for players to be ready is not relevant, as the dropped ball occurs as soon as the ball makes contact with the surface. Hence, the correct answer emphasizes the critical moment of the ball hitting the ground to indicate that play has resumed.