Ball Handlers' New Job Proposed: German Soccer Association Suggests Change in Role for Ball Escorts
The German Football League (DFL) is introducing a new concept for ball boys in the Bundesliga for the upcoming season – the multiball concept. This innovative approach aims to ensure fairness, accelerate gameplay, and minimize potential time-wasting tactics related to ball retrieval [1].
Under the multiball system, ball boys will no longer throw balls directly to players. Instead, they will place the balls on marker plates around the pitch. This change prohibits ball boys from retaining balls or entering the pitch, ensuring a standardized way of reintroducing balls during play [1].
Each ball retriever will be responsible for a maximum of three balls during a match, and they will immediately return any balls picked up outside the pitch to designated marker spots [1]. While the DFL recommends this system to all 36 professional clubs, it is not mandatory, and the existing FIFA directive that eight ball boys be positioned around the pitch remains in force [1].
The multiball concept aligns with maintaining fairness across Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 matches. It aims to prevent any team from gaining extra time or disrupting the flow through ball boy interaction [1].
The unusual goal scored by Joshua Kimmich during a match that took place in Dortmund in March was not related to the multiball concept. In another instance, Umut Tohumcu, a Hoffenheim Bundesliga professional, prepared a goal for Mark Uth against FC Bayern in 2017 [2].
It is worth noting that ball boys assigned by the host club can sometimes delay actions of the guest team. The multiball concept is designed to address this issue and promote a smoother, fairer game [1].
While the multiball concept is a significant change for ball boys in the Bundesliga, it is part of a larger trend towards improving the efficiency and fairness of football matches. The DFL's commitment to these principles is evident in their ongoing efforts to enhance the game for players, fans, and everyone involved.
[1] DFL Communications [2] German Football Association (DFB) Archives
