9781422286784

the goal line or not. In the 2010 World Cup, England lost a goal when officials did not no- tice that the ball was clearly past the goal line. The outcry led to the rapid development of goal-line technology (GLT) for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Seven cameras were trained at each goal to cover every possible angle. After a goal or near-goal, the cameras instantly cre- ated a graphic to show where the ball went. If the on-field referees missed a call, they re- ceived a signal within seconds and could stop play to make the right call, thanks to GLT. A key for all of these systems is speed. Sports depends on a rapid pace, and anything that impedes that pace is bad for fans and players alike. The ability of computers and cameras almost instantly to produce images for accurate judging has made this tech a vi- tal part of many sports. Watch What You Post T he technology of social media has certainly helped athletes connect with their fans (see page 16). But teams and schools are using the technology just as frequently, though with their own needs and aims in mind. College athletic departments regularly monitor the social media posts of young people being recruited for their schools. And high school athletes need to watch what they

stem in sports: technology

28