Multi-ball

[1960]

This might have been mentioned before and, if so, feel free to Dodd me.

Last year we outpaced and overpowered teams with our athleticism. This was further helped by the use of mult-ball: opponents didn't get a rest and quickly-taken corners, throws and free kicks often caught them out before they could regroup and set up their defence.

This year we are not using it. Do the Prem not allow it? Or is it us?

Whichever it is, would it even be any good against much better, stronger, fitter teams? Do we actually need the single ball so that WE can regroup or catch a breather?

What do you think?

[Huntley & Palmer]

The Premier League does not allow it to be used

[meeky_no9]

End of thread

[royal tunbridge wells]

maybe not...

I take the point that the Premier league don't allow the multi-ball system. But does anyone know their reasoning. I'm just curious really.

Is it because they assume it will be 'fixed' by the ball boys/girls in favour of the home team ?

By the way, i was somewhat amused on Sunday when the ball was punted halfway up the east stand, and someone caught it and did a celebratory twirl with the ball raised above his head - presumably delighted that he had actually managed to catch the thing.

[Royal Lady]

On a related note, why are the ball boys/girls now having to stand behind the advertising boards? Is there some new legislation that they're not allowed in front of them. This seriously delays being able to get a ball, as they have to jump over the hoarding before being able to get the ball.

[Huntley & Palmer]

I believe that when it was last allowed clubs took advantage of it too much, the opposition complained about the ditribution of balls to them. I certainly remember a good few instances of the referee asking the club officials to remove the balls due to multiple ones being on the pitch at throw-in and free kick scenarios

[TFF]

On a related note, why are the ball boys/girls now having to stand behind the advertising boards? Is there some new legislation that they're not allowed in front of them. This seriously delays being able to get a ball, as they have to jump over the hoarding before being able to get the ball.

I would guess that such a regulation is in place and that is also why Kingsley has been banished. Probably to maintain an unobstructed view of the advertising boards.

Kingsley also out of the hoops

...but back in stock (complete with replica shirt) in the megastore

[RoyalBlue]

The Premier League does not allow it to be used

Yep, heaven forbid that anything be done to increase the amount of time the ball is actually in play and increase the entertainment value for fans!

I believe the multi-ball is ok for Europe and the football league but not the PL!

[Nezhen]

Ad hoardings issue is due to the fact that we now have a second tier of advertisements running around the perimeter of the pitch in addition to the ones fixed to the outside of the bottom row of each stand. Nothing more....nothing less..........

[MartinRdg]

Kingsley also out of the hoops

This is so he can't be confused with the players for offside decisions.

(FFS, Someone tell the Premier league that Caskey doesn't play for us any more! )

[John Madejski's Wallet]

I believe that when it was last allowed clubs took advantage of it too much, the opposition complained about the ditribution of balls to them. I certainly remember a good few instances of the referee asking the club officials to remove the balls due to multiple ones being on the pitch at throw-in and free kick scenarios

In which case the answer is to not stop play when two balls appear and let the ball-boys/girls onto the pitch to retrieve them.

At times it was frustrating last season as play was stopped because a ball had drifted 1yd onto the pitch about 40yd from any play. Pathetic

That would also negate fans throwing the extra balls on to halt play. Single ball slows down the play and allows the crowd to hold onto the ball, and the winning team to just casually meander to retrive the ball to further waste time

[MartinRdg]

...
and the winning team to just casually meander to retrive the ball to further waste time

And their staff!!

[Snowy]

The Premier League does not allow it to be used

It means that Sky have no time to show replays if the ball is constantly in play.

God forbid that the supporter in the ground would like to see fast flowing football.

[Gloria Gooner]

On a related note, why are the ball boys/girls now having to stand behind the advertising boards? Is there some new legislation that they're not allowed in front of them. This seriously delays being able to get a ball, as they have to jump over the hoarding before being able to get the ball.

Apparently Sky run through the match frame by frame afterwards to make sure that the advertising isn't obstructed at any time. If it is in any way obscured, the club get fined.

[Huntley & Palmer]

I believe that when it was last allowed clubs took advantage of it too much, the opposition complained about the ditribution of balls to them. I certainly remember a good few instances of the referee asking the club officials to remove the balls due to multiple ones being on the pitch at throw-in and free kick scenarios

In which case the answer is to not stop play when two balls appear and let the ball-boys/girls onto the pitch to retrieve them.

At times it was frustrating last season as play was stopped because a ball had drifted 1yd onto the pitch about 40yd from any play. Pathetic

That would also negate fans throwing the extra balls on to halt play. Single ball slows down the play and allows the crowd to hold onto the ball, and the winning team to just casually meander to retrive the ball to further waste time

You should apply to be head of the FA, it would be even more of a farce than it is now

[John Madejski's Wallet]

In which case the answer is to not stop play when two balls appear and let the ball-boys/girls onto the pitch to retrieve them.

At times it was frustrating last season as play was stopped because a ball had drifted 1yd onto the pitch about 40yd from any play. Pathetic

That would also negate fans throwing the extra balls on to halt play. Single ball slows down the play and allows the crowd to hold onto the ball, and the winning team to just casually meander to retrive the ball to further waste time

You should apply to be head of the FA, it would be even more of a farce than it is now

Why is that a farce?? Some refs (those few with commone sense) do allow the ballboy to run on and grab the ball if its not interferring with play. I assume you're happy with the overthetop interpretations of the rules and the slow, slow pace of the single-ball system then??

Seems a perfectly reasonable idea to me.

[Huntley & Palmer]

Slow pace? I certainly don't want it to get any quicker! Having watched Coventry v Colchester last night, it looked like they were walking round the pitch

[John Madejski's Wallet]

Slow pace? I certainly don't want it to get any quicker! Having watched Coventry v Colchester last night, it looked like they were walking round the pitch

Ok, slow-paced may have been the wrong word. But you have to admit it has been really frustrating this season when the other team has been timewasting towards the end of games when collecting the ball

[Huntley & Palmer]

It's horses for courses, we did exactly the same against Utd when they equalised.

[Forbury Lion]

Champions League allows multiball, So I hope the club have pencilled in a refresher course for the ball boys/girls this summer.