The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

Crossing the plane
Buccaneers 36, Redskins 35, Nov. 13, 2005

The Buccaneers won 36-35 on a 2-point conversion run by Mike Alstott. The on-field officials say the ball crossed the plane of the goal line; and upon review, replay officials say they can't find any indisputable evidence to suggest the call should be reversed. But it's close. Some -- including Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs -- contend it was clear that Alstott's elbow hit the ground before he extended the ball across the goal line.


AP
Football's "invisible fence" technology would've determined whether Mike Alstott crossed the plane here.The 2015 scenario: Sensors will be embedded in each game football, and an "invisible fence" -- much like the ones in common use to keep dogs from wandering out of yards (albeit without the attendant shock treatment) -- will mark both the goal lines and the sidelines. Streaming signals from the ball will be synchronized in real time on high definition images from skycams, roofcams, and other strategically placed cameras, making it indisputable when the ball crosses the goal line. This will free up referees to pay much closer attention to whether a player is down, and to make a quick arm signal while pressing a precise timer when the play has ended. If necessary, video time and player down time will be synchronized to determine, quickly and precisely, which came first.