Lotanna Eruchalu
Michael Myller
College Writing 1
22 April 2016
TECHNOLOGY IN FOOTBALL
Football is a game that has been in existence officially since 1863. Back then, the fields were always in a terrible state, muddy with little or no grass. The players were probably dressed in the cheapest pieces of fabric. The only decent thing was the fact that the ball was always pumped right.
Now imagine all the new, various forms of technology that has come about since 1863: computers, smart phones, smart watches, televisions, vehicles etc., it is only right that Football has a fair share of the technological advancements. From muddy fields to constantly trimming the grass before games, Astro Turf fields are the future. They don’t just save you the stress of refilling the worn out areas and constant mowing the grass, they enhance the performance of the players. Also suitable for any weather, the astro turf fields are made of plastic blades of grass that are filled with small, crumbly rubber like shavings with gives players a better grip. Another positive about this piece of technology is that it prevents unwarranted injuries that can come from unlevelled grounds or a field consisting of many holes.
Moreover, technology has played a key role with the equipment used for the game. Firstly, the advancement of shin pads; they don’t just guard the shin anymore, they are now being mad with shock absorbers, reducing the impact of a tackle on that area. The shin is a very delicate part of the body, and even the advanced shin pads can’t really prevent damage from a reckless and dangerous tackle. Secondly, the ball. Different balls are made for different leagues and for different competitions within the various leagues. Officials and players complain every now and then about the balls being played with, but as of The 2014 World Cup, there was an official ball made by Adidas, ‘The Brazuca’. It is the most technologically advanced ball to grace this planet. The ball has a latex bladder meaning it moves quicker and glides smoothly in the air. It is the lightest soccer ball ever made. An interesting feature of the ball is that they heat six various patches together to make the ball waterproof. FIFA now requires all licensed ball producing companies to make soccer balls up the standards of The Brazuca. Thirdly, the new range of football boots being produced by Nike, Under Amour and Adidas with the ankle brace like sock that attaches onto the neck of the shoe. This new design is meant to prevent unwarranted ankle twists, for your foot to have better tightness and to grip better around your foot. The new boots also weigh less than previous versions. It also consists of brio cables which help make a player much quicker. The addition of more flexible carbon fire now also help boost agility. Lastly, the ‘Footbonaut’. This is a very new piece of technology that assist players in improving their first touch, reactions and passing accuracy. It works by having an individual in the middle of the square with all 64 dissimilar grids. Four grids are scattered about shooting balls at random speeds and heights which the player has to control and pass in a precise direction. The green LED grid gives a loud shout like a player asking for the ball, and that’s how you know which direction to play the ball to. A disadvantage about the Footbonaut is that it is very expensive and so only the top flight clubs can afford to own them which creates inequity in the game.
In addition to the technological inventions in the game of football, I’ll like to focus on the aspects that has influenced the way the game is being played. Goal Line Technology, also known as Goal Decisive System is simply a ball with a chip implanted in it which is used to assist referees in making the decision on whether the ball has crossed the goal line or not. The referee has a watch and ear piece on that indicates when it has crossed the line by showing goal and making a beep in his ear respectively. On several occasions, players have cleared the ball off the line, and sometimes, after the ball has crossed the line and these minor happenings have gone on to influence the result of a game.
Technology is a great thing for the football world, it helps improve players and helps some reach their full potential. It has made the game more fun and professional even for the non-professionals that play it every often. All the perks lead to a better performance.

"5 Technologies in Soccer." Technology in Sport. Web. 27 Apr. 2016. <http://tomspassassignment.weebly.com/5-technologies-in-soccer.html>.