Semi-automated offsides trialled

[davieG]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59461288

 

Semi-automated offsides trialled at Fifa Arab Cup and could be used at 2022 World Cup

 

The use of technology to help officials make more accurate offside decisions will be tested at the Fifa Arab Cup, which starts on Tuesday.

"Semi-automated offsides" work using between 10 and 12 cameras which collect up to 29 data points for every player 50 times per second.

If it spots a potential offside an alert is sent to the video assistant referee (VAR), who has the final call.

The technology could be used at the 2022 Fifa World Cup.

"VAR has had a very positive impact in football and the number of major mistakes is reduced, but there are areas where it can be improved - and offside is one of them," said Pierluigi Collina, Fifa's chief refereeing officer.

"We are aware the process to check offsides can take longer [than other decisions], especially when it is very tight. We are also aware that the positioning of the lines may not be 100% accurate.

"For this reason Fifa is developing a technology which could offer faster and more accurate answers. This is known as semi-automated offside.

"For offside the decision is taken after analysing the position of players, but also their involvement in play. Technology can draw a line but the assessment remains in the referee's hands. This remains crucial."

Since the introduction of VAR in Europe's major leagues, offside decisions have been among the most controversial, with some goals being ruled out by the smallest of margins. Roberto Firmino's strike for Liverpool against Aston Villa in 2019, for example, was ruled out because his armpit was offside.

Planned trials of the new technology during 2020 were disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, but tests have taken place in England, Spain and Germany.

The Arab Cup, which features 16 teams and is staged across six stadiums in Qatar, is the most significant trial for the technology yet.

"It is based on limb-tracking technology," said Fifa's football technology and innovation director Johannes Holzmuller.

"Software is processing this data and, in case of an offside offence, an automated alert is sent to the video operations room. That's the reason we call it 'semi-automated' - at the end it is still the VAR who has to validate and confirm the proposed offside. Then the VAR informs the referee on the pitch about the decision.

"There are two focus points. The first focus is on the kick point - the moment the ball is played - and the second is which body part is closest to the goalline, the defender or the attacker. We hope with technology that we can be faster and more accurate."

[davieG]

Whether you agree with how good or bad VAR is I fear the top level of the game is in danger of becoming a different game to the lower professional and amateur  game with all this technology. 

 

Only the riches levels can afford to have it, 12 cameras to determine offside and they still need the VAR  to check it - I think it's going too far.

[ozleicester]

[pleatout]

54 minutes ago, davieG said:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59461288

 

Semi-automated offsides trialled at Fifa Arab Cup and could be used at 2022 World Cup

 

The use of technology to help officials make more accurate offside decisions will be tested at the Fifa Arab Cup, which starts on Tuesday.

"Semi-automated offsides" work using between 10 and 12 cameras which collect up to 29 data points for every player 50 times per second.

If it spots a potential offside an alert is sent to the video assistant referee (VAR), who has the final call.

....

"There are two focus points. The first focus is on the kick point - the moment the ball is played - and the second is which body part is closest to the goalline, the defender or the attacker. We hope with technology that we can be faster and more accurate."

50 time per second just isnt fast enough.  Ive rambled before about VAR at 60 frames per second.

 

The maths

Usain Bolt et al run 100m from a standing start in 10 seconds

10 m per second

20cm in a 50th of a second

 

Assuming a rapid defender (Maguire need not apply) and a our own JV both from a running start...

 

A defender sprinting away from goal combined with an attacker sprinting towards goal gives a margin for error between "data points" of up to 40cm.  That's quite a lot!

[Detroit Blues]

I think the real change needs to be to the offside law itself, rather than how officiate it. 

 

I liked the proposal that all you need is a part of your body in line with / behind the defender to stay onside. Therefore, you could time your run to get behind the defense, but trail a leg in line with the defender and be considered onside. This is similar to how it is done in Ice Hockey, except instead of the offside line being determined by the last defender, the line is static (and painted on the ice).

 

This proposed rule change creates a much more forgiving system. Rather than penalizing a player for being a CM beyond the defender, it forgives the player of being well beyond the defender as long as any part is in line. It would simplify VAR reviews because it would be much easier to see a clear line of space separating the defender and the attacker to see if they are indeed offside.