Theme: SPORTS

Topic: The Influence of Technology on Football

P.O.I
I chose the topic 'The Influence of Technology on Football' aligning with the theme of "Sports".
Football is a game that I love and feel very passionate about. My reason for searching this topic is
linked to the lack of technology that is currently available in the football world. I believe this topic
is not widely known and my research will broaden my knowledge of the use of technology so I
may share with others. The information for my research will be obtained from a video on
YouTube, a blog from a website and an article from the internet. As an English Learner my
research skills and knowledge of literacy devices and effectiveness will be boosted tremendously.

Reflection 1
How the materials I have selected shaped my thinking on my topic?
The first artefact, a video, entitled 'The Influence of Technology on Football', shows a footage of a
goal that was disallowed that a pro soccer player scored in a professional football game. Fans,
family, friendship and team-mates were separated due to the decision made which was gravely
incorrect. I can share the disappointment that these persons perhaps felt. This video helped me
understand that without technology (Video-Assistant-Referee) not only are inaccurate decisions
made everyday but the impact of these everyday human errors severely affect the football
patrons.
My second artefact is an image. It shows a picture of a ball that has not fully crossed the goal line
and was given as a no goal. Before I thought football was controversial and biased based on the
decisions made by the human referees. I felt hopeful by this image, which shows the limitless
possibilities and benefits technology has to offer to football. VAR or (Video Assistant Referee) for
short, is one form of technology that can improve the world of football. Decisions deemed
difficult and impossible can be done with technology like VAR.
Finally(find a synonym), my third artefact is a blog written by Arslan Shaheen. This blog details a
Goal Line Technology debuted in the 2014 world cup in Brazil and its importance in the Russia
2018 FIFA world cup. The Goal Line Technology (GLT), 14 camaras captured up to 500 frames per
second and send the image to a image processing system.
Quote a line from the blog and express how it has inspired or affected your thinking.

The 3D coordinates of the ball are monitored and, when the entire ball crosses the goal line the
camara captured it and sends a signal to the referee's watch. To me, I think it's fair as to both side
will get fair decision

Reflection 2
Identify 1 or 2 lanaguage technique from each artefact then say what the technique did (research
it's effectiveness) then say why the writer used that technique (research the purpose of the
technique). Quote an example from the artefact.
Check WhatsApp group for sample pictures shown
Link for VAR

https://youtu.be/sAXZbZXCr9g
Blog
https://thesporting.blog/blog/the-use-of-technology-in-football-var#:~:text=With%20Goal
%2DLine%20Technology%20(GLT,signal%20to%20the%20referee's%20watch.

1.The use of technology in football: from Hawk-Eye to Goal-Line Technology, and Video-Assistant
Referee to Electronic Performance and Tracking Systems.
Advances in technology are made each day and it is no secret that these have been applied to
various sports, including football.
However, due to the abundance of football leagues and continental cups, some of them don’t use
specific types of technology due to the preference of the fans or associations.

However, nine times out of ten, this technology has proven to be extremely helpful and has
assisted match officials in making the right call. Albeit not always the most popular one.

Whether you call it football or soccer, the thrills and the excitement of this beautiful and
mesmerising game unite fans all around the world. And a couple of years back, we still remember
the tech in play at the 2018 FIFA World Cup was nearly as astonishing as the athletes themselves.
2. The relationship between Football’s and technology has been a tumultuous one. Dare to utter
the three letters V A R and you will likely evoke feelings of dismay and exasperation among
football fans across Europe.

But is it fair to outright dismiss the further integration of technology into football just because
technophobic referees like to use it as a scapegoat for their own decisional shortcomings?

I think it’s time football technology was discussed in a more positive light, so here are some ways
that technology is having a positive impact on the sport, and what further developments we can
expect to see soon.

Bringing some much-needed objectivity to offside decisions

Just in case I didn’t make this clear at the start…

Technology used in the decision-making process is not the issue, referees misusing it is.

So, it is comforting to know that trials are being carried out at several Premier League clubs on
artificial intelligence (AI) technology designed to automate the detection of offsides.

This would work in a similar way to the Hawk-Eye goal line detection system, whereby the referee
would be notified immediately of an infringement – allowing them to act quickly and without
having to use their own (often questionable) judgement.

The trial has shown early signs of success and could potentially be rolled out by early next season
across Europe’s top leagues.

A faster flowing game and less decision-making power for officials? Not sounding so bad now, is
it?

GPS technology is helping to monitor players and reduce injuries

Fixture lists at the top level of the sport are now more congested than ever before.

For instance, last season Barcelona teenager Pedri broke the world record for number of games
played in a single season, playing a combined 73 times for club and country across eight separate
competitions.

But while more fixtures might mean more entertainment for football fans, forcing players to
consistently push their bodies to perform at the highest-level can increase their chances of
serious injury.

But technology has come to the rescue. Northern Ireland based STATsports have developed GPS
tracking software that allows coaches to monitor player performance in game against 10 different
metrics, which has been helping to recognise the signs of player burnout at 14 Premier League
Clubs. The software diagnoses when a player is showing signs of fatigue, allowing coaches to
intervene to reduce the risk of injury.

Article
Technology
Changes in football equipment (personal equipment)
There have been changes in equipment such as the balls in football - no longer made of leather
(rubber or plastic bladders with plastic covers), designed by teams of engineers, footballs are
more aerodynamic (they are lighter) and easier to use e.g. you might be able to get more curve,
more power on a ball depending on its weight, dimensions and design = However players have
complained about this in the past e.g. the ball used for the World Cup 2010 (the Jabulani),
keepers complained it swerved awkwardly so it was harder to save, this technology was criticised
repeatedly by goalkeepers as goals were conceded.

Goalkeeper gloves - easier to save the ball, prevents any injuries to the hands (protection), you
don't have to worry about injury so you are going to be less hesitant when trying to save
powerful shots, you can grip the ball better (affects performance because you are less likely to
drop the ball and present opportunities for the opposition to score) = However not all individuals
can afford this equipment, e.g. at grassroots goalkeeper gloves might not be affordable so these
individuals are prone to injury. Professionals that play for teams in lower leagues or national
teams might not be able to afford the best quality of gloves so they could be disadvantaged.

Shin pads - give you protection if someone catches you on your shins, some can support your
ankle so when you are tackled this reduces the risk of injury, professional footballers must wear
them so this technology benefits all professionals = However they could be uncomfortable (they
might make you itch), kids at grassroots level might not be able to afford them (which means
they are at risk to injury, they could be hesitant when going in for a tackle).