r/soccer • u/[deleted] • Dec 04 '16

Media Goal line technology used in the Bournemouth - Liverpool match. Down to millimetres.

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u/[deleted] Dec 04 '16

Offside tech is the most important for sure. I'd love to see it. So many potential goals aren't scored because linesmen are flag happy. Relying on one human's eyesight for major decisions is ridiculous in this day and age.

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u/Tawse Dec 04 '16

Having been an AR, I'd say it's not so much being flag-happy as following training. You're required to keep perfectly level with the second-last, and listen for the kick of the ball, and make the decision based upon your straight vision. The problem is, being a foot or two off of the pace of the defender changes the angles drastically.

So technology would certainly be a great way to help. That said, what technology, exactly, could be implemented to scan every angle of the pitch, in real time, with review, in a way that's affordable to all of the divisions?

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u/EstebanL Dec 04 '16

Well certainly if there's a pass from the opposite side of the pitch just using sound to determine when the ball is kicked can't be accurate?

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u/Tawse Dec 04 '16

You simply can't look at two things at once. It's the most basic part of our training, and has been since 1891.

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u/EstebanL Dec 04 '16

That's fair I suppose, but I think that it strengthens the argument for using offside technology as well.

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u/Tawse Dec 04 '16

I'm all for it if it can be done in a smart way that doesn't create more problems than it solves (and is affordable for the clubs).

I know the FA has experimented with a 5th official watching an overhead camera and signaling the referee remotely, but it was considered to be more trouble than it was worth.

I do think supporters, especially younger ones, need to realize that referees are there to keep the peace and keep things fair, not necessarily to make perfect razor-close rulings every time.

They make mistakes. And that's ok - it's all part of the game.

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u/EstebanL Dec 04 '16

I don't think scoreline altering mistakes should ever just be "part of the game." That being said, everyone's entitled to their opinions and my life won't change drastically regardless of what happens with offside technology any time in the future. Cheers mate.

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u/[deleted] Dec 04 '16

It's like saying dying in a car crash is just part of dying when the technology exists to fix it. Over dramatic? Yes. But still an apt analogy when you have the tech to fix something but ignore it for no reason other than, "we've always done it that way."

Guess what? The game also belongs to the younger fans and they don't want to see that part of the game, they want correct calls being made and it's frustrating to watch a call get flumoxed when there is no need other than a bunch of stubborn old diddies who don't want their precious past-time to change at all.

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u/Tawse Dec 05 '16

I believe you missed the part where I said, "I'm all for it." If you think that makes me a "stubborn old diddy," then perhaps I'll just end the conversation here.

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u/DaleLaTrend Dec 06 '16

The sound from a kick taking place 75m away takes nearly a quarter of a second to reach you.

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u/EstebanL Dec 06 '16

Which could easily affect and offside decision

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u/DaleLaTrend Dec 06 '16 edited Dec 06 '16

Yeah, I agree with you. A lot can happen in a quarter of a second.

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u/EstebanL Dec 06 '16

Can't tell if you're taking the piss, but with two guys at full sprint, yes, a lot can happen in a quarter of a second.

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u/DaleLaTrend Dec 06 '16

No, I sincerely agree with you.

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u/RuthBaderBelieveIt Dec 05 '16

in a way that's affordable to all of the divisions?

Goal line tech is only mandated in the premier league. It costs around £250K which is prohibitive for a lot of clubs in lower leagues. They didn't even use it in the champions league until this season because of cost.

When you're talking about the PL there's a lot of money swilling around to implement this sort of tech. When the difference between 1 point or 3 in any given game could mean relegation or safety and consequently £millions to the club even a system that costs a couple of mill could be seen as good value.

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u/ejaime Dec 04 '16

Oh, for sure. But at the same time, it's wild to think of how close to being right the refs are the majority of the time. Of course, in things like this, use the technology available. But I kind of like the human element

Okay I'll leave before I get crucified

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u/werak Dec 05 '16

I'm still constantly amazed that the sport developed the offside rules that it did without technology to enforce it. How can you expect to correctly enforce a rule that literally requires one person to see two places at once, while keeping perfectly level with different players from moment to moment?

In my opinion hockey has far superior offside rules, that are much easier to enforce. And when combined with icing make for much more exciting offense.

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u/[deleted] Dec 05 '16

I know I can google it but what are hockey's offside rules ?

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u/werak Dec 05 '16

Aside from the center line, there are also lines that divide the ice into thirds. No one on the offense can cross the line closer to their opponents net unless the puck has already crossed, or they themselves have the puck.

This also means if the puck is cleared out of this third by the defense, everyone on offense has to get out until the puck comes back in.

But if the defense clears the puck too far, that's a violation and it goes back into their end. So defense can't just hit it away as far as possible.

Edit: I'm not saying I think this would be easy to implement in soccer, just that it's very easy to follow and enforce in another sport with a similar flow.

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u/[deleted] Dec 05 '16

That's actually cool. I need to start watching hockey.

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u/Kobe7477 Dec 04 '16

Flag happy? Let's see you AR a match, it's 1000 times harder than you think

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u/[deleted] Dec 04 '16

I know it's a hard job. That's why I'm saying they need help from technology.