What should a referee do if the ball is temporarily out of play for any reason?

When the ball is temporarily out of play, the proper procedure for a referee is to stop the game and restart at the last known position of the ball. This action ensures the game is resumed fairly and maintains the integrity of the flow of play.

Stopping the game acknowledges that a situation has occurred that requires attention, whether it’s due to an injury, the ball going out of bounds, or any other interruption. By restarting from the last known position, the referee ensures that the team in possession of the ball, as well as other players, resumes play in a manner that is consistent with the rules. This allows for an organized restart which upholds the fairness of the game.

Allowing the game to continue without interruptions could lead to confusion and disadvantage for players who may be expecting a stoppage for a particular reason. Similarly, blowing the whistle unnecessarily or asking players to take a break does not follow the established rules of the game concerning stoppages and restarts. Hence, the correct action is to stop the game and restart it properly from where the ball was last in play.