by As with other industries leaning toward technology to effectively and efficiently solve problems in a fast and time-saving space, the sports sector is no exception. The sports industry is now adopting new technological innovations to make sporting activities like football fun to watch worldwide. Allowing that betting on different things, such as Premier League predictions, is more straightforward.
Technology has also made it easier to track progress, make pitches or fields safer for players, create room for adequate score monitoring, cut costs and improve the overall experience of players and fans. Here are the top trending technologies channeling change and development in soccer.
Video Assistant Referee (VAR)
The VAR acronym stands for Video Assistant Referee. The referee is assisted in officiating a game by a group of individuals using this technology, which is set up in a room from a centralized video operations room at the stadium, where more than two TV numbers are placed for that purpose.
The goal is to draw the referee’s attention to unreported faults or discrepancies. With their unique perspective, they assist the referee in reaching the best possible decision. To carry out the tasks assigned to that position, this crew comprises a video assistant referee, three more assistants, and four replay operators.
They have access to more than 30 cameras used for game surveillance and offsides position checking. It continues to be one of the top tech innovations in the industry.
Goal-Line Technology
One of the best pieces of technology in soccer history since it began, is goal-line technology. The referee benefits from having accurate knowledge of whether the ball goes across the goal line or is just inches away.
Goal-line technology was introduced during the World Cup in Brazil in 2014. It continues to be an essential part of the technology utilized for the FIFA World Cup, as it will also be used for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.
However, a Smart ball system is required for the Goal Line Technology to function flawlessly. The referee receives the signal promptly, and the system provides accuracy and information sharing across the officiating teams.
Performance Tracking System
Performance trackers were made to protect athletes. This technology monitors players’ heart rates, gathers complex data, analyzes them, and presents detailed results to the user in an easy-to-understand, usable way.
The performance tracking technology collects data by monitoring the athlete while in training and during the competition, then transmits it wirelessly after the athlete completes their session. Afterward, these data are analyzed, and the result is shared with the coach and athlete.
The result is used for proper permanence analysis, injury assessment, modifications in training, and so much more. And as a result, the players can learn from their mistakes and try to improve on their weaknesses.
Smart Ball System
One of soccer’s most notable technological developments is the Smart ball system. Smart balls are used in several African Leagues games and official matches across European Leagues, MLS, and other American leagues. A sensor, or NFC chip, was integrated into this ball by Cairos Technologies and Adidas.
With a networking system installed across the field, the Smart Ball System is intended to track the exact location in real-time, including with high precision, when it has wholly crossed the goal line. When the ball goes to the goal line, the referee officiating the game receives the information on his smartwatch.
Foam Technology
Another new application of technology in football that gained presence at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil is the spraying of disappearing foam. The foam technology was tested for international football for the first time at the 2013 FIFA U-20 and U-17 World Cup.
The spray is a temporary foam that the referee applies to the pitch to serve as a visual cue for players and referees to utilize in determining the minimum distance that members of the opposite side must maintain from the ball during a free kick as well as the location from which the kick is taken.
About 80% of the can is made up of water, 20% is butane gas, and a small amount of surfactant. When butane is discharged from the container, it expands due to pressure differences and condenses into tiny drops that are then covered with water.
The butane eventually evaporates, leaving the ground covered only in water and surfactant residue. After approximately one minute, the marks vanish.
