Multi-Ball System Changes
Eagle eyed supporters may have noticed a change in the role of our Ball Assistants last Saturday following updated guidance issued by the SPFL. Queen’s Park would like to provide some background as to the rationale for the updated guidance and what that means for the club, players, officials and our Ball Assistants.
Background
Using a replacement or multi-ball system is mandatory for clubs in the William Hill Premiership, with clubs in the Championship, League 1 and League 2 able to choose at the start of each season whether they will adopt multi-ball or a single ball system for their home matches. Queen’s Park are using the multi-ball system for our home matches this season.
Rationale for Updated Guidance
Where clubs choose to operate a multi-ball system, the SPFL has issued updated guidelines aimed to ensure the multi-ball system is implemented consistently and fairly for both Clubs, at
all times.
Multi Ball System
There will be fifteen match balls in use:
- One ball in play
- One ball with the Fourth Official (if appointed)
- Thirteen replacement balls distributed around the pitch.
The replacement balls will be positioned as per the following diagram:
Ball Positioning
The thirteen replacement balls will each be placed on a cone: two behind each goal line,
four along the touchline adjacent to the Technical Area, and five along the touchline opposite
the Technical Area. No additional replacement balls are permitted within the multi-ball
system.
Cones placed along the touchlines must be positioned an equal distance apart from each
other. Cones should be located near to the pitch boundaries, allowing for a reasonable and
safe run-off margin for players, Assistant Referees and substitutes as required.
Restarting Play
Under the updated guidance, when the match ball goes out of play, players must either:
• Retrieve the original match ball themselves to restart play, or;
• Go to the nearest cone to collect a replacement ball themselves to restart play.
Impact on Ball Assistants
During the season to date, Queen’s Park Ball Assistants have thrown a replacement ball to the nearest player to allow the game to resume as quickly as possible. Under the new guidelines all Ball Assistants must:
- NOT throw a replacement ball to any player
- NOT throw the original match ball kicked out of play back to any player
- Ensure that balls are retrieved and placed on any vacant cones as quickly as possible, irrespective of the score
- Not enter the field of play (e.g. to place the ball on the corner quadrant); and
- Act consistently for both Clubs at all times.
The cones and the Ball Assistants must remain in the same positions for the entirety of the match and Ball Assistants’ attire must not clash with the players of either club or the Match Officials.
Examples of Misuse of the Multi Ball System
- Ball Assistants throwing a replacement ball to any player
- Ball Assistants placing a ball in the corner quadrant, or providing a ball for a corner kick
- Cones and replacement balls being moved or removed during the match
- Players or club staff interfering with the match ball or replacement balls
- Ball Assistants being deliberately slow to return a replacement ball to an empty cone
- Ball Assistants being removed from their positions during a match
- Ball Assistants holding the replacement balls rather than returning them to the cone
- Ultimately, the Referee is in control of all the match balls and can instruct the removal of the multi-ball system if he thinks it is being abused.
We hope the above information helps all supporters understand the rationale for, and the procedures being adopted, to meet the new SPFL guidance.
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