What is the purpose of a drop ball?

The purpose of a drop ball is to restart play after a stoppage that is not caused by a foul, making the chosen answer correct. This situation typically arises when play is interrupted for reasons that do not involve an infringement, such as when the ball becomes unplayable or if the referee stops the game due to an injury but the player not involved in the stoppage is not affected.

During a drop ball, the referee drops the ball at the location where it was when play was halted, and players from both teams are allowed to contest for possession after it hits the ground. This method ensures fairness in resuming play, as it does not favor either team following an unintentional break in the game.

In contrast, options such as giving a free kick or awarding a penalty kick do not apply to drop ball scenarios, as these actions occur under specific circumstances involving fouls or rule violations. The role of the drop ball is solely to facilitate a neutral and fair restart in instances where play has been interrupted without direct fault by either team.