Goal kicks

[RustyRef]

I tell them that I'm not as fast as I used to be and ask them to give me a few seconds to get up the pitch, usually get a good reaction.

 

[GraemeS]

I'll admit to having performed a "drop ball" by gently rolling the ball back towards the keeper from 10-15 yards outside the area, in order to give myself that headstart. Having checked for no possible attackers lurking nearby of course!

But it did occur to me after the game that this becomes an awkward restart if the keeper isn't paying attention and lets the ball roll past him into the goal...

 

[RefereeX]

But it did occur to me after the game that this becomes an awkward restart if the keeper isn't paying attention and lets the ball roll past him into the goal...

Edit: Ah, ignore me... I see what you mean

 

[Archer]

Haha @GraemeS. Might try a really aggressive bounce-up in pre-season when the pitches are like concrete.

 

[Peter Grove]

Haha @GraemeS. Might try a really aggressive bounce-up in pre-season when the pitches are like concrete.

Talking of bounce-ups, it's interesting to note that in the precursor to the dropped ball, the laws in 1888 actually specified that the ball should be thrown up, not dropped.

Excerpt from the 1888 laws below.

15. In the event of any temporary suspension of play from any cause, the ball not having gone into touch, or behind the goal-line, the game shall be re-started by the referee throwing up the ball at the spot where play was suspended, and the players on either side shall not play the ball until it has touched the ground.

 

[RefereeX]

Haha @GraemeS. Might try a really aggressive bounce-up in pre-season when the pitches are like concrete.

In pre-season? Pitches are like concrete round here already!

 

[ARF]

But it did occur to me after the game that this becomes an awkward restart if the keeper isn't paying attention and lets the ball roll past him into the goal...

Just means the ball is dropped again!