Lesson 2 Why Sports Technology is the Game Changer
Technology Kicks in Soccer
Technology has sparked a wave of innovation, not just in our everyday ____ but also in the world of sports.
Sports technology has undergone considerable advancement ____ time, enhancing various aspects such as player performance, training, fan engagement, and referee decisions.
Even soccer, which has as ____ as 3.5 billion fans, is no exception.
Let’s dive ____ how technology has brought about positive transformations in soccer.
Many would have experienced the frustration of their team losing a game due to a controversial ____ by the referee.
Disagreements with referee decisions ____ a lot in soccer.
However, technology ensures fair play in soccer by ____ the referee in making accurate judgments.
Multiple tracking cameras installed on the stadium roof and the ____ in the soccer ball detect the ball’s position more than 500 times per second and transmit this information to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
In the 2022 World Cup, the power of VAR was demonstrated in the match where ____ Saudi Arabian team, ranked 53rd in the world, won 2-1 against Argentina, ranked 4th in the world.
Three of Argentina’s goals were canceled by the VAR ____ because of offside penalties.
Since the introduction of this technology, players have almost entirely ____ making significant protests against referee decisions.
Goal-line technology determines if the ball has crossed the goal line and informs the ____
To accomplish ____ seven cameras are installed for each goal.
A 3D image is created with videos captured by each camera ____ calculate the exact position of the ball.
When the ball completely crosses the goal line, the referee’s watch vibrates within ____ one second and displays the word “GOAL.”
This video is also ____ to the audience.
Advanced connected ball technology measures physical touch and helps determine the scorer ____ each goal.
In the match between Portugal and Uruguay, a Portuguese ____ kicked the ball in from the left, and another player jumped up and scored with a header.
The latter was ____ as the scorer.
However, it was soon corrected by crediting the player who had ____ the ball in from the left.
As seen in the image above, movement was detected in the graph when the ball was kicked, but the graph remained still when the ____ was attempted.
As a result, it was technologically proven that the ____ was the player who kicked the ball, not the player who attempted the header.
Wearable technology monitors the physical conditions of soccer players, which ____ “high-tech soccer” based on big data.
People started to take an interest in wearable technology during ____ match between South Korea and Portugal at the 2022 World Cup.
A South Korean player scored ____ winning goal and removed his jersey in celebration.
He was ____ a black vest that came down just below his chest.
Many fans wondered what it was for, discovering later that it contained ____ small tracking device.
These days soccer teams use wearable technology like this to collect data, such as distance run, top speed, ____ players’ heart rates during matches.
This data enables coaches and players to make more ____ decisions regarding training and game strategies.
Technology is ____ used to protect soccer players.
Repeated headers can damage the brain ____ be dangerous for players in the long run.
This is why the Football ____ prohibits players under the age of 12 from performing headers altogether.
It also recommends that all players, including professionals, shouldn’t be ____ to more than 10 headers a week in training.
So, soccer teams have introduced virtual reality platforms so that players can practice headers without the risk of brain ____
Artificial intelligence is also being used to analyze players’ medical profiles, fitness assessment results, and performance data to identify those who might be at ____ of suffering an injury.
Last but not least, technology is being used ____ make the experience of soccer fans much more enjoyable.
Fans can now easily purchase tickets online and enter the stadium more quickly by using facial recognition technology without showing their ____
Furthermore, in addition to live broadcasting on television, fans can enjoy the game at home or on the ____ thanks to live online streaming.
With technology shifting so ____ the world’s biggest and most celebrated sport, soccer, could improve even more.
However, this change also comes with ____ opposition and concerns.
Many are against the Video Assistant Referee system, arguing ____ it disrupts the natural flow of games.
Also, ____ devices and facial recognition data pose privacy risks.
Lastly, the more money a soccer club has, the more it may benefit from technology, which ____ concerns about fairness.
Nonetheless, by balancing the advantages and disadvantages of sports technology, the coming years will be exciting for soccer players, teams, ____ fans alike.