diff --git a/docs/lua/functions.md b/docs/lua/functions.md
index 5f5f7968..fed3d060 100644
--- a/docs/lua/functions.md
+++ b/docs/lua/functions.md
@@ -619,6 +619,7 @@
 
 - smlua_misc_utils.h
    - [collision_find_surface_on_ray](#collision_find_surface_on_ray)
+   - [get_network_area_timer](#get_network_area_timer)
 
 <br />
 
@@ -11422,6 +11423,24 @@ The `reliable` field will ensure that the packet arrives, but should be used spa
 
 <br />
 
+## [get_network_area_timer](#get_network_area_timer)
+
+### Lua Example
+`local integerValue = get_network_area_timer()`
+
+### Parameters
+- None
+
+### Returns
+- `integer`
+
+### C Prototype
+`u32 get_network_area_timer(void);`
+
+[:arrow_up_small:](#)
+
+<br />
+
 ---
 # functions from smlua_obj_utils.h
 
diff --git a/mods/football.lua b/mods/football.lua
index 84e6db97..16854fb9 100644
--- a/mods/football.lua
+++ b/mods/football.lua
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@ ballActionValues = {
 
 gBallTouchedLocal = false
 gCachedBalls = {}
-gInitializeBalls = {}
 
 -----------
 -- utils --
@@ -128,8 +127,8 @@ function spawn_or_move_ball(x, y, z)
         obj.oVelZ = 0
 
         obj.oGlobalOwner = my_global_index()
-        obj.oHitTime = obj.areaTimer
-        obj.oNetworkTime = obj.areaTimer
+        obj.oHitTime = get_network_area_timer()
+        obj.oNetworkTime = get_network_area_timer()
         network_send_object(obj, false)
 
         return obj
@@ -615,13 +614,13 @@ function bhv_ball_loop(obj)
     end
 
     -- send out object if we touched it
-    local updateRateSend = (obj.oGlobalOwner == my_global_index() and (obj.areaTimer - obj.oNetworkTime) > 5)
+    local updateRateSend = (obj.oGlobalOwner == my_global_index() and (get_network_area_timer() - obj.oNetworkTime) > 5)
     if gBallTouchedLocal or updateRateSend then
         if gBallTouchedLocal then
             obj.oGlobalOwner = my_global_index()
-            obj.oHitTime = obj.areaTimer
+            obj.oHitTime = get_network_area_timer()
         end
-        obj.oNetworkTime = obj.areaTimer
+        obj.oNetworkTime = get_network_area_timer()
         network_send_object(obj, false)
     end
 
@@ -647,18 +646,6 @@ function bhv_ball_loop(obj)
     cb.oVelZ = obj.oVelZ
 end
 
-function ball_update()
-    -- hack: we have to set the area timer outside of the behavior or bad things happen
-    for i, obj in ipairs(gInitializeBalls) do
-        if obj ~= nil then
-            obj.areaTimerDuration = 0
-            obj.areaTimerType = AREA_TIMER_TYPE_MAXIMUM
-            obj.areaTimer = 0
-        end
-        gInitializeBalls[i] = nil
-    end
-end
-
 id_bhvBall = hook_behavior(nil, OBJ_LIST_DEFAULT, true, bhv_ball_init, bhv_ball_loop)
 
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -828,8 +815,8 @@ function gamemode_wait()
         -- claim the ball
         if sSoccerBall.oGlobalOwner ~= my_global_index() then
             sSoccerBall.oGlobalOwner = my_global_index()
-            sSoccerBall.oHitTime = sSoccerBall.areaTimer
-            sSoccerBall.oNetworkTime = sSoccerBall.areaTimer
+            sSoccerBall.oHitTime = get_network_area_timer()
+            sSoccerBall.oNetworkTime = get_network_area_timer()
             network_send_object(sSoccerBall, false)
         end
 
@@ -1284,8 +1271,6 @@ function update()
     local m = gMarioStates[0]
     local np = gNetworkPlayers[m.playerIndex]
 
-    ball_update()
-
     if np.currAreaSyncValid then
         gamemode_update()
     end
diff --git a/src/pc/lua/smlua_functions_autogen.c b/src/pc/lua/smlua_functions_autogen.c
index 3ade1085..164201ea 100644
--- a/src/pc/lua/smlua_functions_autogen.c
+++ b/src/pc/lua/smlua_functions_autogen.c
@@ -7289,6 +7289,15 @@ int smlua_func_collision_find_surface_on_ray(lua_State* L) {
     return 1;
 }
 
+int smlua_func_get_network_area_timer(UNUSED lua_State* L) {
+    if(!smlua_functions_valid_param_count(L, 0)) { return 0; }
+
+
+    lua_pushinteger(L, get_network_area_timer());
+
+    return 1;
+}
+
   ///////////////////////
  // smlua_obj_utils.h //
 ///////////////////////
@@ -8520,6 +8529,7 @@ void smlua_bind_functions_autogen(void) {
 
     // smlua_misc_utils.h
     smlua_bind_function(L, "collision_find_surface_on_ray", smlua_func_collision_find_surface_on_ray);
+    smlua_bind_function(L, "get_network_area_timer", smlua_func_get_network_area_timer);
 
     // smlua_obj_utils.h
     smlua_bind_function(L, "obj_get_first", smlua_func_obj_get_first);
diff --git a/src/pc/lua/smlua_misc_utils.c b/src/pc/lua/smlua_misc_utils.c
index f5a91f7b..ac62fbec 100644
--- a/src/pc/lua/smlua_misc_utils.c
+++ b/src/pc/lua/smlua_misc_utils.c
@@ -12,3 +12,7 @@ struct RayIntersectionInfo* collision_find_surface_on_ray(f32 startX, f32 startY
     find_surface_on_ray(orig, end, &info.surface, info.hitPos);
     return &info;
 }
+
+u32 get_network_area_timer(void) {
+    return gNetworkAreaTimer;
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/pc/lua/smlua_misc_utils.h b/src/pc/lua/smlua_misc_utils.h
index 0e9aa1e6..6c9ebdad 100644
--- a/src/pc/lua/smlua_misc_utils.h
+++ b/src/pc/lua/smlua_misc_utils.h
@@ -7,5 +7,6 @@ struct RayIntersectionInfo {
 };
 
 struct RayIntersectionInfo* collision_find_surface_on_ray(f32 startX, f32 startY, f32 startZ, f32 endX, f32 endY, f32 endZ);
+u32 get_network_area_timer(void);
 
 #endif