CMU Students Design Equipment That Could Take Referees Jobs

[Houshyamama]

Interesting:
http://www.post-gazette.com/multimedia/?videoID=101310

[Kaylore]

I've thought about that for some time. They could lay sensors along the sidelines and goal line and put one in the ball so they would know exactly where the ball went out and if it crossed the plane. Not sure about the hand and feet sensors, but I wouldn't be surprised to see things go this way. You could even have a robot on the sideline to replace the chain crew and based on the sensor reading it would auto-set itself.

[JCMElway]

However, you would still need them to call holding, facemask, pass interference, etc.

[Schism]

Chargers fans would still complain.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Originally Posted by Schism

Chargers fans would still complain.

ha! One thing I always found about football is that its arbitrary in its attention to detail. For example, a punt sails out of bounds and a ref, to the best of his ability, makes a guess as to where the ball crossed the sideline. It's hardly an exact science and his guess probably has a yard or so of error room. Yet, at the same time, when measuring a first down, they'll break it down to centimeters.

[Houshyamama]

Originally Posted by SonOfLe-loLang

ha! One thing I always found about football is that its arbitrary in its attention to detail. For example, a punt sails out of bounds and a ref, to the best of his ability, makes a guess as to where the ball crossed the sideline. It's hardly an exact science and his guess probably has a yard or so of error room. Yet, at the same time, when measuring a first down, they'll break it down to centimeters.

This always bothered me as well, but I'd guess the error could be much greater... say +-10 yds, especially if the ball goes out while still elevated quite a bit.

[Schism]

Originally Posted by SonOfLe-loLang

ha! One thing I always found about football is that its arbitrary in its attention to detail. For example, a punt sails out of bounds and a ref, to the best of his ability, makes a guess as to where the ball crossed the sideline. It's hardly an exact science and his guess probably has a yard or so of error room. Yet, at the same time, when measuring a first down, they'll break it down to centimeters.

But the point there is surely that the exact spot a punt goes out of bounds doesn't effect the game on anywhere near the same level as a first down measurement.

With a punt, the team either starts on the 12 or 13 yard line, but it's 1st & 10anyway so it's not really that big a deal.

Much less effect on a game than a team getting a first down by a matter of inches instead of having to punt, or even turn the ball over on downs.

[Chris]

It never sounds like a good idea because when you want to mix this



with this



you get this

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Originally Posted by Schism

But the point there is surely that the exact spot a punt goes out of bounds doesn't effect the game on anywhere near the same level as a first down measurement.

With a punt, the team either starts on the 12 or 13 yard line, but it's 1st & 10anyway so it's not really that big a deal.

Much less effect on a game than a team getting a first down by a matter of inches instead of having to punt, or even turn the ball over on downs.

That's not exactly true. Football is a game of inches in every aspect. Those 5 yards could be the difference between a touchdown, length of field goal..etc.

But to humor you even further, a refs judgement of spotting a ball on ANY play is hardly exact either, though the error room is smaller. But on a normal 1st and 10, a running back gets a 6 yard gain and the ref spots the ball within a foot or so of where it actually lands (i doubt they ever get it exactly right.) Yet, when it comes to the chains, it becomes an exact science.

[Dean]

Football is a human activity. It is played by men, regulated by men, and measured by men. Do you really expect exactness?

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Originally Posted by Dean

Football is a human activity. It is played by men, regulated by men, and measured by men. Do you really expect exactness?

No, which is why i find it strange that they pick and choose times to be exact

[GoHAM]

It's actually not that inaccurate. Once the punt is away the referee then stands near or on the spot of the punt and watches the trajectory of the punt. If the ball goes out of bounds then the back judge walks up the sideline looking at the referee, who then points or signals to the backjudge when he intersects with the trajectory of the punt. And saying one yard one way or the other to start a drive makes that big of a deal in the overall outcome of a game is ridiculous. It's still 1st and 10.

Although the fact that we have two guys standing on the sidelines each 21 yards away determining whether the ball was advanced by an inch or two in a massive pile of human flesh is asinine. Then bringing out the chains for a measurement... truly a maddening part of the game.

[Taco John]

I think when you have to involve a supercomputer in order to play a game of football, you sort of kill the spirit of the whole thing a little bit.

[El Guapo]

My dad has been saying to involve sensors on the field and in the ball for years.

[Schism]

Dey Took Awr Jawb!!

[tsiguy96]

Originally Posted by GoWYO

It's actually not that inaccurate. Once the punt is away the referee then stands near or on the spot of the punt and watches the trajectory of the punt. If the ball goes out of bounds then the back judge walks up the sideline looking at the referee, who then points or signals to the backjudge when he intersects with the trajectory of the punt. And saying one yard one way or the other to start a drive makes that big of a deal in the overall outcome of a game is ridiculous. It's still 1st and 10.

Although the fact that we have two guys standing on the sidelines each 21 yards away determining whether the ball was advanced by an inch or two in a massive pile of human flesh is asinine. Then bringing out the chains for a measurement... truly a maddening part of the game.

yea its so ridiculous to watch the refs pick the ball up then put it down then they measure and its inches either way. like the ref knows so well from that far away how accurate he is being.

[broncocalijohn]

I have been thinking on this for baseball. Sensors in the gloves, cleats and ball. Have the "out" or "safe" monitor covered behind the bag. If there is a question on a steal or play at the plate, 1st base, etc., they can go to the light sensors for the correct call. Maybe use it as one per game if wrong you dont get it back. They are using monitors for homeruns now so why not use it for baserunning. I think NFL should use the technology and still have the refs call the opinion plays as those cannot be defined by anything but a human ref.... they are human, right?

[SonOfLe-loLang]

I agree, i'm not sure why people are resistent to technology to help with officiating. Does anyone really look back nostalgically at horrible calls?

[Chris]

Fine.. you guys enjoy your machine invasion.. ill be in the basement with my shotty..

[_Oro_]

First get rid of instant replay, then as long as whatever you do doesn't involve bringing instant replay back, I'm fine with it.

[sisterhellfyre]

Originally Posted by SonOfLe-loLang

I agree, i'm not sure why people are resistent to technology to help with officiating. Does anyone really look back nostalgically at horrible calls?

Charger fans.

Regards,
m.

[broncocalijohn]

Originally Posted by Casson

First get rid of instant replay, then as long as whatever you do doesn't involve bringing instant replay back, I'm fine with it.

tell you what. You get rid of that gay John Cougar Mellencamp avatar and I will work on the nfl to get rid of Instant Replay.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Originally Posted by sisterhellfyre

Charger fans.

Regards,
m.

Well they b****, i dont kno that they are proud of it