NFL virtual measurement system, explained: How Hawk-Eye tech impacts first downs, controversial calls & more

Daniel Chavkin

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NFL virtual measurement system, explained: How Hawk-Eye tech impacts first downs, controversial calls & more image

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The NFL is always looking for ways to improve its product, and that especially relates to the officiating.

Every year, the referees are under the spotlight for their decisions, often having decisive calls lead to controversy. To try and combat the controversy, the NFL instituted a new system to improve and create a more efficient process for determining first downs.

For the longest time, first downs were partially determined by the chain gangs, a group of officials on the sidelines whose job was to measure first downs. This new technology aims to try and expedite that process as the league modernizes its operations.

Here's a breakdown of the NFL's new virtual measurement system.

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What is virtual measurement in the NFL?

The NFL's virtual measurement is a way for the league to use technology to determine first down markers during games, moving away from the chain gangs on the field. The league will use a system utilizing Hawk-Eye technology that is also featured in other sports like tennis and soccer, and each measurement will have its results displayed on the stadium's big screen.

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How does NFL virtual measurement work?

Using Sony's Hawk-Eye technology, the NFL's virtual measurement helps determine the distance between the spot of the ball and the line-to-gain. 

Cameras and tracking

According to NFL.com, "Hawk-Eye, which will be deployed across all 30 NFL stadiums and the international venues hosting NFL games, consists of six 8K cameras for optical tracking of the position of the ball."

With these tracking cameras and Hawk-Eye's tracking system, officials can determine a first down without calling for the chain gang. The league will have all measurement tracking based out of its central officiating center in New York, which also houses its replay system.

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Measurement

The most important part of the new Hawk-Eye technology is its measurement system. The NFL is asking its officials to still spot the ball on the field manually before using this technology to measure the distance to the first-down marker.

The Hawk-Eye technology is able to detect the distance between the ball and first-down line without the assistance of the chain gang. 

Speed and efficiency

According to the NFL, the entire virtual measurement process takes approximately 30 seconds, which saves around 40 seconds in real game time. The result is a virtual recreation of the measurement that shows exactly where the ball is in relation to the line to gain.

Here's a look at the measurement in real time:

What is Hawk-Eye technology?

Hawk-Eye Innovations is a company that specializes in using tracking and analytics tools to create more efficient systems in sports broadcasting and officiating. The company, which is part of Sony Sports Innovation Group, has partnered with several major sports leagues, as the NFL is just the latest.

"Hawk-Eye is recognized as a global leader in the live sports arena, pioneering change across Broadcast Production, Officiating and Performance through cutting-edge technology," the company says on its website.

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Is Hawk-Eye used in other sports?

Hawk-Eye is present in other sports, most prominently in tennis, soccer and cricket. 

Tennis first adopted Hawk-Eye all the way back in 2006 when 10 tournaments, including the U.S. Open, used the technology as a challenge system. Now, most tournaments use the technology as the first line of umpiring instead of having line judges.

Tennis's Hawk-Eye system can determine whether a ball hit the white lines on the court and was in play, or if it missed the line and was out of play.

In 2018, Premier League teams unanimously agreed to test out the league's own Video Assisted Review (VAR), which included technology tested by Hawk-Eye. However, the use of the technology still leads to controversial calls.

VAR is primarily used for offsides calls, as it can determine the exact moment when it would be illegal to be offsides.

One sport that has been at the forefront of this technology is cricket, as it was the first sport ever to use Hawk-Eye technology. In 2001, the system was tested in a match between Pakistan and England, and over two decades later, Hawk-Eye has become an integral part of Cricket matches.

How NFL virtual measurement impacts first downs

These virtual measurements are meant to create a more efficient way to determine whether a ball crossed the line-to-gain. The system does not determine where a player was down on the field on a particular play, instead helping the officials understand if the already-determined spot resulted in a first down.

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Will NFL replace chain gangs?

The new virtual measurement technology is meant to overtake chain gangs as the primary measuring system. While officials will still spot the balls, they will then defer to the technology to determine whether the ball reached the first-down marker instead of the chain gang.

However, the chain gang will still be on the field in case the technology doesn't work or as a visual representation of where the first-down marker is placed.

"The chain crew will remain on the field in a secondary capacity," the league said.

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How NFL virtual measurement impacts controversial calls

The virtual measurement will help eliminate some controversial calls, but not all. The system allows officials to determine whether a play is a first down or if it's short of the sticks without needing to measure the distance themselves, a step up in process from using the chains.

However, it is still up to the officials to spot the ball in the first place, which could still create some controversial calls. The new system is meant for measuring the ball only, not spotting the ball, as it works after the officials place the ball at the spot where the runner is down.

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Will NFL virtual measurement impact the Tush Push?

When it comes to the "Tush Push," the new virtual measurement rule will largely help in saving time on the field. Instead of the chain gang running onto the field for every first-down measurement, the Hawk-Eye technology will determine if the ball reached a first down at a faster pace.

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Reactions to NFL virtual measurement system

While the NFL is trying to modernize its operations using the virtual measurement system, there was a mixed bag of reactions. Some people welcomed the technology to NFL games during its introduction in the preseason.

Other people admitted that they would miss the old way of measuring for a first down.

Daniel Chavkin

Daniel Chavkin is a Digital Content Producer for The Sporting News. A 2018 graduate from the University of Maryland, he has previously written for Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports and NFLTradeRumors.com.