Modern technologies in football
Introduction
Football is the most popular sport in the world (Sporteology, 2015) and there are so many people who are interested in it. They might just care about the football so it means just to watch it or to be a fan of it. But they can also be more influenced by football, e.g. players, coaches, managers, sponsors, etc. For both of these groups all of the statistics and facts about matches might be interesting. But one of the most important things is that rules in matches must be followed, because everyone wants the match to be fair. Matches are decided by referees (independent people), but no matter what they somehow influent the match (calling a penalty, sending off the player, allowing a goal,…) and there might be some controversial situations that may arise (Moeslun, 2014, p. 67). Because of both those things — statistics and (especially) following the rules modern technologies were brought to the world of football. In next two parts of this thesis we focus on goal line technology and Mi-coach chips.
Goal line technology
What it is
Let’s start with an explanation what Goal line technology (GLT) is. It is a system used in football to establish if the ball fully crossed the goal line or not (Moeslund, 2014, p. 67). So it helps to referees to allow or disallow goals in controversial situations. In next paragraphs we will focus how this whole system works and why it is used.
Why GLT
Every time when there is something new a question “Why?” arises. It is logical, because everything brings up some cost — money, time, labor, etc. But it is obvious in this case. As it was said previously (in Introduction), football is the most popular sport in the world and it is watched by millions people or they are somehow interested in it. But it is getting faster, there are more and more controversial situations and it is still harder to decide whether the ball during football matches fully crosses the goal line or not (simply if it was a goal or not).
There was a study which focused on these situations. It deals with speed of the ball of the shot, which a player shoots and feasibility of making “a goal decision”. The hardest (or the quickest) shot in the football has been reported between 84 and 96 miles per hour. This study says that if the ball is hit by a goalkeeper 5 centimeters behind the goal line and bounced back into the field and speed of the shot is 80 mph (approximately 128 kilometers per hour), the ball is in the net for about 0.003 second (O‘Donoghue, 2015, p. 40). This is absolutely crazy and it is almost impossible to see it by a naked eye and to make a decision. And we don’t mention that referee has to be positioned well and he has to avoid failing because of optical illusion. This might be an extreme case, but it can be also very difficult to decide even when the situation would be clearer. But just the claiming that it is to decide whether it was a goal or not is difficult probably would not be enough for bringing the goal line technology. There were some controversial situations in the history of football, when a mistake was made (referee’s decision was wrong) or we can’t still say if it was a goal or not. Many of these moments happened during important matches (World Cup, Champions league) and so speculations about using videos or some technology has come. It lasted for very long time but it finally happened and the GLT has come. Here are some examples of controversial or bad decided situations in important matches during history of the football. It all started in 1966 during World Cup when England and Germany met in the final. English striker Geoff Hurst shot in the overtime, the ball hit the crossbar it bounced off the ground and it went outside. Russian linesman awarded England the third goal, England won and they become World Champions. There were many analysis since then, but nobody knows (and probably nobody will never know) if it was goal or not.
Source: Eurosport, 2015
After 44 years these two teams (England and Germany) met again during World Cup 2010 last-16 match. England was trailing (1–2) when Frank Lampard shot, the ball hit the crossbar, then it clearly went behind the goal (you can see in the picture bellow) and it went outside. English players started to celebrate, but this goal was disallowed. Germany won match 4–1 (and they gained bronze medals in the end). Who knows how it would be if the goal were allowed…
Source: BBC, 2015
Let’s mention few more controversial situations, which were somehow interesting or important. England was part of the history for the third time during Euro Cup 2012 in match against the host — Ukraine. Ukraine has scored (it should have been 1–1), but the goal was disallowed and Ukraine lost 0–1.
English team Crystal Palace was made to feel unsettled by two wrong decisions during years. Once they managed to avoid the relegation, but in 1980 they did not and they left Premier league.
Last interesting case happened during match between Watford and Reading in 2008 in Championship (English second league). Referees allowed the goal, but the ball never crossed the line. Manager of Reading Steve Coppell allowed to replay to match (because of this incident), but it was denied by League happening (Eurosport, 2015b). As we can see there were many controversial situations (just few of them were mentioned here) in the history of football and that’s why the GLT was brought in.
Goal line system
When FIFA decided of allowing Goal line system in the football, many of technologies has arisen. Finally they were only two technologies — “Goal Ref” and “Hawk eye”.
The “Goal Ref” is based on a magnetic field. When the ball cross the line, the field is interrupt and the signal (saying that a goal was scored) is sent. The main pro here is that it is very simple and it doesn’t need a “difficult” image processing. But there are coins too. It says it is “not as sexy as” the Hawk eye, because a replay can’t be created by using this system and this is what TV viewers want (Eurosport, 2015a). Hawk eye was selected as new GLT in the end (and Goal line technology is synonym for Hawk Eye now in football).
How it works
Hawk eye was selected by FIFA as new GLT, now let’s see how this system actually works. It uses several high-speed video cameras to track the ball (Institute Of Physics, 2015).
There are seven cameras on each half of the field and every camera provides 500 frames per second (that’s 20 times faster than a normal camera)(Eurosport, 2015a). The cameras are connected to a powerful image processing computer which tracks movements of all objects on the pitch. It removes all players, referees and other objects, which are not important. The remaining object is the ball, system knows the position of the ball with the precision of few millimeters in the coordinate system of the pitch, so it can decide whether ball crossed the line or not. When the ball passes the line, the system sends a vibration and optical signal to the official’s watch. Of course, system stores and provides all controversial situations, so it can be replayed anytime (Goal Control, 2015).
So it was an explanation how whole system works, let’s mention some technical details, pros and cons now. It’s been already said that, there are 7 high speed cameras on each half. Although the whole process of the decision looks difficult it is relatively quick. When the ball cross the line, signal to referee’s watch is sent within a second. This is a huge pro, because system can make a difficult decision in very short time. Another pro is that system is very accurate (at least for football). The accuracy is 3.6 millimeters. System is also available to create a visualization of the moment, so there is no arguing about right decision.
Of course, there are cons too. At least 25 percent of the ball has to be visible. It can be little bit tricky when there are many players (and legs) in small area. You also have to install high speed cameras and black netting, so whole system is quite expensive, so it is realistic to have this technology only at stadiums (Eurosport, 2015a).
Using of GLT
This Goal Line Technology was tested for a long time () and finally it was accepted by FIFA. It was used in English Premier League for the first time in the season 2013/2014. It was brought in August 2013 and it was just used during the first week for the first time (FIFA, 2015). It happened during match between Chelsea and Hull City. Chelsea was 2–0 up when Chelsea’s defender Branislav Ivanovic headed ball to Hull goalkeeper Allan McGregor, who saved the ball on the line. GLT was used and it decided correctly and a goal was not given (The Independent, 2015).
Source: The Independent, 2015
System was also used during match Manchester City-Cardiff and this time a goal was given (101 Great Goals, 2015).
Source: 101 Great Goals, 2015
But not just Premier League uses this technology. There was World Cup 2014 in Brazil and FIFA decided to use the GLT here too. It turned out to be a good decision when controversial moment arose during a match between France and Honduras. French striker Karim Benzema shot and goalkeeper saved the ball behind the line. Technology was used for the first time in international football, a goal was correctly given and France won 3–0 in the end (State, 2015).
Source: State, 2015
The Goal line technology will be introduced in more competitions during a few years, for example German Bundesliga will use it from next season 2015/2016 (Bundesliga, 2015).
Adidas miCoach
Just as nobody can remember how the world worked pre-email, soon we’ll wonder how anyone built muscle or lose weight without electronically tracking their workouts. The latest high-tech shoe sensors from Nike and Adidas let you measure your training in greater detail than ever, making your gym-time more efficient and helping you structure your pre-race or pre-match program properly. Without this kit, your workout is quiet backward.
What’s miCoach
Adidas miCoach is a trademark of Adidas Company. It consists a few devices which helping to improve users training activity, allow to collect a training data and use them to making of statistics. Thanks to these statistics, trainers know strengths and weaknesses of their players and can work on them.
Currently miCoach consists of:
• fit smart — workout intensity coach for running and fitness training
• smart run — all-in-one watch that delivers real-time coaching
• smart ball — measures strike, spin, speed and trajectory to learn to improve your kick
• x_cell — in-game tracking for heart rate, quickness, hustle and jump height
• speed_cell — measures your max and average speed along with distance covered on pitch or court
• heart rate monitor — get more personalized coaching through the miCoach train and run app with Bluetooth smart heart rate monitor
Although miCoach contains a large amount of devices in a football are used only some of them. Mostly it’s speed_cell and sometimes smart ball. In the following chapter I will describe these two technologies and quickly mention also others.
Devices of miCoach technology
Fit Smart
Adidas Fit Smart is futuristic-looking wristband with a continuous heart rate monitor that puts a lot of training options at your fingertips. Device is made of soft silicone and it’s very comfortable to use because its small size and low weight.
Source: tom’s Guide, 2015
Thanks to weekly goals Fit Smart will guide you to a better level of overall fitness by pushing you to make more each week. If you have something specific you want to train for — a big soccer game, an Ironman competition, etc. — that’s where training plan function come in. Choose an area of focus such as running, fitness or sports to begin personalizing a plan.
Disadvantage of Fit Smart is absence of GPS tracker, so if you want measure distance or pace, you have to choose different device. (tom’s Guide, 2015)
Smart Run
Adidas Smart Run is effectively a personal trainer, run tracker and media player you wear on your wrist. So it’s again a device in the form of bracelet or watch.
Source: Engadget, 2013
Advantage of Adidas Smart is that it performs the job of multiple devices. Another benefit of this device is its well-built hardware and performance. However, performance is redeemed by high price. Other weaknesses are low battery life and too quiet playback. (Engadget, 2013)
Heart Rate Monitor
The Heart Rate Monitor delivers accurate heart rate data during your workouts. It captures and measures heart rate data and communicates this wirelessly to the miCoach mobile app on your Bluetooth. The Heart Rate Monitor works in connection with the textile transmitter strap or miCoach compatible Adidas heart rate sensing apparel.
Source: Manuals Lib, 2014
As the name suggests this device is used only for monitoring heart rate and therefore it’s only for specific users. This limitation in functionality is compensated by great precision of device. (Manuals Lib, 2014)
X_CELL
The Adidas X_CELL tracks your performance while you play sports or work out, offering pro-level training and coaching tips to help you improve your game. Worn around your chest with the included strap, you can also monitor heart rate. When you’re done competing, the miCoach app on your Android, iOS or Windows Phone 8 device helps you analyze the data and determine how to improve.
Source: MiCoach X_CELL, 2015
For what is X_CELL actually useful? For example it’s used for measurement of vertical jump. Device calculate your jump height from the force you create to move yourself upward. Furthermore, X_CELL measure also quickness, hustle or heart rate.
SPEED_CELL
Adidas SPEED_CELL is a little chip which can be inserted to miCoach-compatible footwear or clipped to shoelaces. The SPPED_CELL can be used for various sports such as soccer, running, basketball, tennis or American football. It indicates time, average/maximum speed, and distance, including high-intensity distance and number of sprints. The SPEED_CELL has its own memory and can record more than 7 hours of workout. When you finish your workout, you will simply transfer your data wirelessly to your Mac/PC and then, you can analyze your results or share them with your friends. When you’re using miCoach-compatible footwear, the chip is completely hidden. Otherwise it’s attached to the shoelace. (MiCoach SPEED_CELL, 2014)
Source: MiCoach SPEED_CELL, 2014
The following picture shows, how to work with this chip. Firstly you have to sign up at miCoach webpages, then you will insert miCoach CONNECT to your Mac/PC. It’s a little device which you’ll insert to USB and allow to synchronize (pair) your miCoach SPEED_CELL. Now all that remains is attach or insert SPEED_CELL to your footwear and start doing the activity you want to track. After completing of the activity you will synchronize your SPEED_CELL with PC and then you can enjoy your results.
Source: SPEED_CELL Manual
The following picture shows, how can be results from this device used during some sports coverage in this case tennis. These devices thus serves both to improve performance of the user and simultaneously to make sports coverage more interesting and perhaps to motivate another users of this device. (Gizmodo, 2014)
Source: Gizmodo, 2014
Smart ball
Adidas SMART BALL is the newest innovation in adidas’ digital sport gear. If the previous devices could be used during different activities, this one cannot be. Smart ball is like a normal soccer ball but unlike it, Smart ball has got a huge amount of different sensors. SMART BALL will help you to kick it like a best players in the world. With SB, you’ll be able to train yourself, improve your technique, challenge your mates, or go up against the best in the world. (MiCoach SMART BALL, 2015)
As you can see in previous picture SMART BALL really looks like an ordinary soccer ball. However, its functionality is hidden beneath the surface. As you can see in the following picture, in the middle of SMART BALL is something like its processor or brain. This processor receives data from sensors disposed on the surface of the ball, process them and sends it wirelessly to a synchronized device like is your iPhone. In your device you can analyze this information and use them to improve your performance. (MiCoach SMART BALL, 2015)
Source: Adidas miCoach, 2015
Use of SMART BALL is really simple. You have install SMART BALL app to your phone and sign in or register to miCoach. Then you’ll start SMART BALL app, phone will synchronize with the SMART BALL and then you can start. When you kick to the ball, data are sent to your phone and analyzed. In no time you’ll get results that you can use to improve yourself. (MiCoach SMART BALL, 2015)
Source: Trusted Reviews, 2014
In the previous picture you can see how looks like screens with results of the kick. There is information about speed, spin or trajectory of your kick.
Text and pictures are taken from the article “Modern technologies in football” by Martin Horák andOndřej Charvát, Brno, 2015.
