Football's governing body, International Football Association Board (Ifab), is taking steps to limit the amount of time players can spend on a throw-in to increase the overall playtime during matches. The trend of long throws has become increasingly popular this season, with teams employing lengthy preparations reminiscent of attacking free-kicks, leading to a significant decrease in in-play time.
According to stats from Premier League, there was a substantial increase in long throws this season compared to last year, with an average of 3.44 per match, more than twice the number from previous seasons. This surge in long throws resulted in a notable drop-off in playtime, with matches averaging 54 minutes and 21 seconds less of playing time than last season.
To address this issue, Ifab is exploring introducing a time limit for players taking throw-ins, aiming to strike a balance between allowing teams to utilize their skills creatively while maintaining the pace of the game. The proposed change would be similar to the eight-second rule introduced for goalkeepers earlier in the season, which resulted in an increased number of awarded corners.
The board also discussed potential modifications to its VAR protocols, considering extending video assistant referee interventions to cases involving incorrect second yellow cards. Furthermore, officials will examine the offside law with the objective of reducing marginal decisions to promote more attacking play.
These proposals will be evaluated during Ifab's annual business meeting in January, where the governing body will assess various rule changes and updates aimed at enhancing the overall football experience.
According to stats from Premier League, there was a substantial increase in long throws this season compared to last year, with an average of 3.44 per match, more than twice the number from previous seasons. This surge in long throws resulted in a notable drop-off in playtime, with matches averaging 54 minutes and 21 seconds less of playing time than last season.
To address this issue, Ifab is exploring introducing a time limit for players taking throw-ins, aiming to strike a balance between allowing teams to utilize their skills creatively while maintaining the pace of the game. The proposed change would be similar to the eight-second rule introduced for goalkeepers earlier in the season, which resulted in an increased number of awarded corners.
The board also discussed potential modifications to its VAR protocols, considering extending video assistant referee interventions to cases involving incorrect second yellow cards. Furthermore, officials will examine the offside law with the objective of reducing marginal decisions to promote more attacking play.
These proposals will be evaluated during Ifab's annual business meeting in January, where the governing body will assess various rule changes and updates aimed at enhancing the overall football experience.
teams are gettin creative with 'em & it adds an extra layer 2 the game i mean dont wanna kill the pace but also gotta keep up w/ the times. maybe just reduce the max time they can take 4 throw-ins? that way teams still get 2 express themselves but cant hold up the game 4EVER 
I mean, I get it teams wanna show off their skills and all that, but 3.44 throw-ins per match? That's just excessive! 
I just want to see some real action on the field.
They're already so slow with their decisions. Extending the video assistant referee interventions for incorrect second yellow cards? Like, what's next? 
... i mean, it's all about creating a more exciting game right? but seriously, have you ever noticed how some players just can't stop staring at their phones during games? like, what's the point of having a phone on the pitch if u r not even paying attention to the game?? 
... but yeah, if it's slowing down the game that much, maybe they should just limit it a bit... or what? introduce some kind of "throw-in speed limit" 
? sounds kinda silly now that i think about it...
. I mean, I love a good strategic throw-in as much as the next fan, but 3.44 per match is just ridiculous. It's affecting the pace of the game and making it feel like an eternity to get back into play. Limiting the time players can spend on throw-ins would definitely help speed up the game and make it more exciting. I'm also excited to see changes to VAR protocols - getting rid of those extra yellow card decisions would really reduce all the controversy 
️. its all about finding that sweet spot where teams can express themselves without slowing down the game too much. 
. introducing an 8-second limit for throw-ins sounds fair, tho. its not like teams are trying to cheat or anything. maybe ifab should just crack down on these long throws already 
maybe they should focus on reducing time wasted on VAR reviews & let the actual game happen 
I'm loving the idea of introducing a time limit for throw-ins, it'll make matches more engaging & fast-paced 
. Less focus on just lobbing the ball downfield, teams can get creative with their throws but still keep things moving. Fingers crossed Ifab makes these changes 
. It's all about the showmanship now! But seriously, 54 minutes less of playing time is no joke... teams need to get back on track or they'll be saying goodbye to their playoff hopes 
. Ifab's trying to strike a balance between skill and speed, but I'm not sure if it's gonna fly (pun intended) with the coaches. Time limit for throw-ins? That's a new one! And VAR, oh man... VAR's like the referee's wingman 
. It's always second-guessing the refs, making them look like a total noob 
. Can't wait to see what other "innovations" they come up with at their meeting in January 
