Technology & Officiating

[hefnerjm]

I heard a stat a while back that 75% of football officials (across all levels of play) are 57 yrs old or older.  Meaning that within 7-8 years, 3/4ths of the officials today will be at or beyond retirement age. 

As the state of the vocation moves into the future, recruiting younger officials will be very important and I expect that as a younger generation enters the ranks, the use of technology will become more prevalent. 

I think we would all agree that Hudl and similar services are a mainstay for off-the-field preparation / training.  I am personally interested to see how the next-gen analytics tools that are driving top performance among athletes could be/will be used within the officiating ranks.

Just a quick show of hands...

• how many people have used some sort of technology / device while officiating?
• expect to do so at any point in the future?
• Thoughts on what that tech use might look like?
• Apart from current standard communications equipment (R/crew mics, play clock/ReadyRef, etc), what other places could technology benefit us in our on-the-field duties?

[Etref]

Currently I do not see any technology beyond the crew communication, etc. that would benefit officials on the field. I am sure that at some point we will have something but with inclement weather, sweat, running, getting knocked down (yes it happens) I cannot see much cost benefit for some items.

[bama_stripes]

I expect crew comm systems to become more popular as the cost declines.

I'm surprised that we don't already have digital / laser line-to-gain equipment.  I seem to recall that some D-I schools experimented with that back in the '80s.

I'd like to believe that the mini-cameras will make training more efficient and effective.  It's easier for new officials to acclimate when they can coordinate a field-level POV with the traditional press-box view.

My crystal ball's becoming cloudy now......

[jpgc99]

I'm not sure about on-field technology; I don't think that younger officials will drive additional technology into the game itself.

However, outside of the game, I see tremendous opportunities for technological improvements:

- WebEx / Conference calls for crew meetings, rules meetings, video review sessions, association meetings, etc.
- Live video streaming of meetings for people that live far away from physical meeting location
- Additional video for training and evaluation
- More accessibility to game film
- Sharing of game film across associations, conferences, geographies

The biggest that I see coming soon is the video streaming/conference call nature of meetings.  We are all getting busier - greater work demands in the real world, greater demands of perfection in football (it is becoming a year round avocation) - I see an increase in the number of meetings, so naturally these will need to be easier to attend.  This technology already exists, is cheap, and is easy to implement.

[blarsen]

I can think of a few things that would be useful:

Electronic game cards. 
Could take one of several form factors (watch, something like a play card on the forearm, a smaller more rugged kindle, etc.)
Some sort of wireless so the whole crew sees the same card
keeps official time
maybe include voice communication (via bluetooth or a wired headset)
maybe it could even be integrated with the scoreboard so that it's actually correct

I wrote a primitive version of this that would run on an old smartphone, but the lcd screens can be difficult to read in sunlight that's why the e-ink would be preferable, plus it would look like I was playing with my phone throughout the game.  The project is on hold until I can work out a better hardware platform.

I've also thought about electronic positioning, maybe on the ball itself  but I think it'd be easier to track U when he spots the ball.  not so much for line-to-gain because that level of precision would be difficult and costly, but it could be useful in finding previous spots for enforcement if the chain crew has already moved anticipating a new series, or if we need to go back to correct an error.  It would also be a good backup for U in terms of ball position between the hashes.
You could even have one of those quad-copters with a camera follow an official for evaluation or training purposes.  I'd love to see a video take by a drone that followed me through a game.

[Ralph Damren]

Since my daze of Zebradom (1969) ,I have marveled at the following high-tech inventions that have helped the game:
   (1) This GPS gismo that tells me where the field is.
   (2) The cellular telephone so you can call the AD to find out where to change.
   (3) The game clock on two big poles instead of in the field (now line) judge's pocket.
   (4) The Port-a-potties for older officials to visit at halftime.
   (5) The buzzer we strap to our belt instead of having to worry about our watches second-hand.
   (6) The button on your key chain that helps to find your car after the game.
   (7) ..........

  There may be more, but it's now time for some lobster chowder . Have a great weekend, y'all>

[azsteam]

I'm not sure about on-field technology; I don't think that younger officials will drive additional technology into the game itself.

However, outside of the game, I see tremendous opportunities for technological improvements:

- WebEx / Conference calls for crew meetings, rules meetings, video review sessions, association meetings, etc.
- Live video streaming of meetings for people that live far away from physical meeting location
- Additional video for training and evaluation
- More accessibility to game film
- Sharing of game film across associations, conferences, geographies

The biggest that I see coming soon is the video streaming/conference call nature of meetings.  We are all getting busier - greater work demands in the real world, greater demands of perfection in football (it is becoming a year round avocation) - I see an increase in the number of meetings, so naturally these will need to be easier to attend.  This technology already exists, is cheap, and is easy to implement.

Which software have you used to share with for a video session?  The ones that I have use had to share out my pc and other users reported that the video comes across choppy.  I could see a benefit of everybody seeing the same video instead of trying to match the time of the plays for individual versions.

[Osric Pureheart]

I can think of a few things that would be useful:

Electronic game cards. 

Paper doesn't run out of battery.  We can all think of someone who if he was a bull he'd forget to charge, right?

[Etref]

Yeah that electronic game card will come in handy during that heavy rainstorm. 

[Bugolathe]

I heard a stat a while back that 75% of football officials (across all levels of play) are 57 yrs old or older.  Meaning that within 7-8 years, 3/4ths of the officials today will be at or beyond retirement age. 

I see and hear things about this issue of officials getting older and no younger officials are coming in to replace them.  I don't think it's an accurate way to look at the issue.  What everyone doesn't realize is that a lot of official's (like myself at 38) don't start in their 20's or before.  I hold training classes for my association for 1st and 2nd year officials and while there are always 2-3 high school & college students, most of the newbies are over the age of 30.  And I usually have 15-20 of them a year.  A lot of folks don't get into officiating until they have their families and/or careers established.

[HLinNC]

We had our BJ's using digital voice recorders a couple of years ago to record foul reports as we thought it would be faster than writing them down.  Some of the guys then moved on to using their smart phones instead as they had recorders.

The BJ's were then to submit their report by e-mail to our training committee so we could match up with the DVD's or videos we were getting.

[VALJ]

I'd love to be able to use a digital recorder.  But those nights where it's a monsoon... 

[Ralph Damren]

  ....digital recorders...smart phones......recording foul reports...

To the average Mainer.....

Digital recorder : digit is a finger = recording one's fingerprint.

Smart phones : a phone that doesn't ring during supper, when you're in the outhouse, or when you're reading the inside of your eyelids would be a smart phone. Let us know when it's invented......

Recording foul reports : With a piece of cardboard and a #2 lead pencil we record when some critter acts out or is naughty (USC fouls) ,don't keep track of the rest.

I'm NOT an "average Mainer" as I have you guys to keep me up to date with the 21st century. We've never considered recording all fouls, though. Is this something that many of you do???

[hefnerjm]

I can think of a few things that would be useful:

Electronic game cards. 
Could take one of several form factors (watch, something like a play card on the forearm, a smaller more rugged kindle, etc.)
Some sort of wireless so the whole crew sees the same card
keeps official time
maybe include voice communication (via bluetooth or a wired headset)
maybe it could even be integrated with the scoreboard so that it's actually correct

I wrote a primitive version of this that would run on an old smartphone, but the lcd screens can be difficult to read in sunlight that's why the e-ink would be preferable, plus it would look like I was playing with my phone throughout the game.  The project is on hold until I can work out a better hardware platform.

I've also thought about electronic positioning, maybe on the ball itself  but I think it'd be easier to track U when he spots the ball.  not so much for line-to-gain because that level of precision would be difficult and costly, but it could be useful in finding previous spots for enforcement if the chain crew has already moved anticipating a new series, or if we need to go back to correct an error.  It would also be a good backup for U in terms of ball position between the hashes.
You could even have one of those quad-copters with a camera follow an official for evaluation or training purposes.  I'd love to see a video take by a drone that followed me through a game.

Blarsen,

This is along the lines of what I was thinking...I was really wondering if you had thoughts about apps for wearables...specifically those l that integrate with a smart phone. 

My thinking is that a "legit" official's watch runs anywhere from $100-$300 bucks.  If one could build an app with sport-specific timing features, and make it available on hardware/OS platforms that are in the mainstream marketplace, would it be able to find some level of adoption?

You could somehow include integration with existing equipment (FB play clock/ BB shot clocks, Ready-Ref etc.) or the Precision Timing System being used in the NCAA tourney this year, (see link below). 

I guess my question is more along the lines of:  would officials be interested in buying an app for a phone or wearable that they already own as opposed to buying a watch/timer for a specific sport?

The comments about using electronics in poor weather conditions are certainly valid concerns, and I think that is why I am leaning towards wearable tech that is designed to be worn under those conditions moreso than a smart phone. 

Precision Timing System link (couldnt find a link for the one in the recent Referee Magazine):
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/20/sports/ncaabasketball/shrill-to-ncaa-tournament-referees-its-symphonic.html?_r=0


Thoughts?

[VALJ]

I'm NOT an "average Mainer" as I have you guys to keep me up to date with the 21st century. We've never considered recording all fouls, though. Is this something that many of you do???

Can't speak for the rest of the country - or even the rest of the great Commonwealth of Virginia (ahem...), but each official in our association records every foul he calls, whether accepted or declined.  In the event that Bubba makes a decision whereby he disqualifies himself from any further participation that evening, all of the officials record said naughtiness on their game cards..  Likewise, when Hans suggests that one of the officials likes to have inappropriate relations with his maternal parent and picks up a USC foul, all officials make a note about that as well.  One official on the crew is responsible for transferring all fouls to the official game card, submitted at our weekly meetings.

And the referee is in charge of calling our commissioner as soon as possible after the end of the evening's festivities to inform him that Bubba's been a bad, bad boy.

[bama_stripes]

We've never considered recording all fouls, though. Is this something that many of you do???

I ask my ECO or 25/sec to do this.  They are usually newer officials, and it helps them as well as the crew.

[Ralph Damren]

I've ran the game clock at a D-III NCAA school for several years where recording foul reports have always been the norm. Until a couple of years ago, it was my duty - as a minor official - to take a copy to each coach in postgame. There was always a debate in the officials' room as to : who called what, who had the first flag, who the foul was on, etc. Once the form was completed in triplicate, I was given two copies to give to both head coaches....often the copies were faint and unreadable....often the coaches grunted and shoved them into their pockets...often I pondered, "What does this 'busy work' really accomplish ?" Recently I was informed that there was a spiffy new gismo that the crews would be using that sends the info directly to both teams, the league office, and the officials' supervisor. I can now leave with my buddies, the play clock operator and the PA announcer (fellow HS officials) for our "road trip" . For this I'm thankful.....but I still can't see the value of trying to record every foul called .....

[Etref]

Ralph,
It does help when reviewing film to have that copy of the foul sheet, especially when the camera operator cuts the switch as soon as the ball is dead (throw back to the old days to save "film")

[Ralph Damren]

Ralph,
It does help when reviewing film to have that copy of the foul sheet, especially when the camera operator cuts the switch as soon as the ball is dead (throw back to the old days to save "film")

Thanks for responding, Etref. I see your point on game review, but currently don't feel strongly enough to suggest that our guys in Maine do it. Often an official will want to view a call/non-call he made to ensure that he got it right. He'll always remember where in the game it occurred and it is easy to find. On occasion a referee will want me to view a call a crewmember made, and he'll remember where in the game it occurred. On occasion a coach will want me to view a call made and he'll remember where it occurred ,also. These seem to work for us and I can't recall a questionable call where we couldn't identify the flagger. A baby with a soiled diaper wants a change. I don't....

[blarsen]

Blarsen,

This is along the lines of what I was thinking...I was really wondering if you had thoughts about apps for wearables...specifically those l that integrate with a smart phone. 

My thinking is that a "legit" official's watch runs anywhere from $100-$300 bucks.  If one could build an app with sport-specific timing features, and make it available on hardware/OS platforms that are in the mainstream marketplace, would it be able to find some level of adoption?

This is mostly what I meant by "hardware platform"  I haven't yet found a smartwatch that I feel would be a good choice.  I would think you need:

at least a few physical buttons for actions that need to be performed by feel alone (starting/stopping play or game clock)
A touchscreen for more complex input (scores, fouls, timeouts, etc.)
an e-ink screen screen (both for battery life and for visibility in high light situations)
A replaceable battery (so you can carry spares)

You could somehow include integration with existing equipment (FB play clock/ BB shot clocks, Ready-Ref etc.) or the Precision Timing System being used in the NCAA tourney this year, (see link below). 

I suspect this would require a lot of reverse engineering and customization for each installation.  It would be really nice, but realistically it won't happen in the near future.  It would be much easier to give the eco a device like the one the officials use then ask him/her to make the scoreboard match.  We don't allow play clocks here in California, so I'm not familiar enough with their operation to determine how easily they could be integrated.

I guess my question is more along the lines of:  would officials be interested in buying an app for a phone or wearable that they already own as opposed to buying a watch/timer for a specific sport?

One concern around this model is that these devices are new enough that there is no standard interface that can be used to control them all.  This means that any application would need to be written explicitly for each and every model of wearable that is supported.  Worse yet it must be rewritten for each combination of wearable and phone, and in a different language for each phone, so most of the code cannot be re-used

The comments about using electronics in poor weather conditions are certainly valid concerns, and I think that is why I am leaning towards wearable tech that is designed to be worn under those conditions moreso than a smart phone. 

This is one of the reasons I'm thinking of a smaller kindle.  I frequently use my kindle for recipes and I just drop it in a ziploc bag: it is totally waterproof, the plastic is thin enough that the capacitive touchscreen still works, and it doesn't generate enough heat to require ventilation.  Add to that the fact that my battery last for weeks (admittedly I don't use it 24/7, but still...) between charges with the radio on and months with the radio off.

Plus it's actually possible for me to prototype a hardware platform at this scale.  I don't have access to the equipment necessary to prototype and test something as small as a watch. 

Precision Timing System link (couldnt find a link for the one in the recent Referee Magazine):
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/20/sports/ncaabasketball/shrill-to-ncaa-tournament-referees-its-symphonic.html?_r=0


Thoughts?

[VALJ]

I ask my ECO or 25/sec to do this.  They are usually newer officials, and it helps them as well as the crew.

FWIW, if we have an ECO, or younger officials with us an sideline observers, we ask them to handle the penalties for us, too.  Put 'em to use.

[Curious]

For many years, our crew prepared a "Game Report" which was supplied to the involved coaches.  The report included penalties (offending player, acceptance/declination, enforcement spot), official' names and positions, scoring summary, any unusual situations, rule references on "controversial calls", and numerous other things.

This information was captured on a hand-held tape recorder and subsequently transcribed onto a form for mailing. 

This was long before Hudl and other technology; but it was very well received.  It also preceded the use of DVDs - cutting the processing time over "film" dramatically.  So as the coaches got their videos faster than we could get them the reports, the reports became "obsolete".

It was fun while it lasted; and gave us some interesting y-t-y comparative statistical data.

As for future technology, I hate the idea of replay except in a VERY FEW situations (scoring primarily).  Walky-talkies among crew members seem to me to be not only obtrusive, but take away from the on-field officials' concentration.  I fear the slippery technology slope!      
 

[Etref]

The two way on field communication is awesome. Much better than trying to yell out to someone half a field away. We communicate to remind who has goal line, who has clock( if R back to it), can even do down, distance ball n as part of pre snap routine. Lots of good uses for it. Just don't let it become a BS session.

[Curious]

The two way on field communication is awesome. Much better than trying to yell out to someone half a field away. We communicate to remind who has goal line, who has clock( if R back to it), can even do down, distance ball n as part of pre snap routine. Lots of good uses for it. Just don't let it become a HORSE HOCKEY session.

[/color]

If you're working Div 1 football, should you need reminding about goal line, etc; but, having no personal experience with the technology, I respect your opinion.

But, IMHO, the headphone/mic thing makes the officials look like 1950's telephone operators[/color]  

[clearwall]

If you're working Div 1 football, should you need reminding about goal line, etc; but, having no personal experience with the technology, I respect your opinion.

But, IMHO, the headphone/mic thing makes the officials look like 1950's telephone operators[/color]

Next time someone calls me on my radio, im going to respond: "One moment, sir, i'll put you through"