Sports Pundit

Multiball System

rules

In soccer, the "multi-ball system" is a system of play in association football that allows the use of another ball in situations where the match ball leaves the field. When the match ball is out of play, a ball boy nearest to the player will release another ball. In the multi-ball system there is minimal interruption of play.

Traditional Versus Modern Multiball System

In the early days of the sport, it is customary to pause the game until the ball is returned to the field of play. According to The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), ball change may only be allowed under the authority of the referee. These days, the multi ball system has been adopted by many leagues around the world.

Maximum Number of Soccer Balls in the Multiball System

It is important to note that while a number of soccer balls may be used during the match, the field allows only one ball at a time. To ensure that a match resumes immediately as soon as a ball goes out of play, ball boys are stationed around the pitch.

Moreover, there is no assigned limit to the number of soccer balls that may be used during a match. Nevertheless, for the associations that have adopted the multi ball system, seven is the usual number of balls used in a soccer match.