The National Football League (NFL) is set to experiment with optical tracking technology during the upcoming preseason games. This move has the potential to revolutionize the way down-and-distance markers are handled during games, and could make the traditional sideline chain gang obsolete.
The NFL’s competition committee approved the use of the tracking system in March, with plans to implement it for all preseason games this year before considering full implementation for the regular season. While the decision was made quietly, it has the potential to improve accuracy and reduce human error in measuring distances on the field.
For years, football fans have voiced frustration over the imprecise nature of spotting the football and determining first downs using chain markers. The optical tracking system, which does not rely on microchips in footballs, aims to address these concerns and provide a more reliable method of measuring distances on
