From: claypool@pico.cs.umn.edu (Mark Claypool)
Subject: Re: Gymnastics: Instant Replay for Judging
Organization: University of Minnesota
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 17:59:58 GMT

My instant replay idea received some praise and several criticisms.
Since I started it, I want to push it a step further by answering the
complaints.  Let me paraphrase the opposing ideas and respond to them:


   "Technical execution is only one part of gymnastic routines.  There is
   also form, style, ... by showing off their instant replay prowess, T.V.
   makes technique look all important."

Don't use instant replays to judge the whole routine; just the
technical parts.  Granted, technical execution is emphasized by T.V.,
but it is one part on which a gymnastic routine is judged.  And that
part should be judged as accurately as possible.  Instant replay gives
us this greater accuracy.


   "Using instant replays will take too long.  Especially for the longer
   routines."

You don't have to review whole routines, just the parts which occurred
too fast to clearly score.  In fact, the judges need only look at the
parts they have questions about; they may not use it at all. It's
there to aid the judges.

As for time ... quick math.  Replays take one minute (impose this
limit, if you like), tops.  So a meet of forty gymnasts gives us forty
extra minutes.  Since meets are 4+ hours (right?), this isn't that
long. Plus, isn't there some lag time given to the gymnasts between
competitors? Use some of this for more accurate scoring.


   Sub-idea:  "To speed things up, have two panels of judges for each
               area.  An 'on deck' panel and an 'at bat' panel."  I wonder
               who thought of this one? :-)

As others noted, this would increase the randomness of judges.  There
would probably be a difference between the mean scores of different
panels.  Plus, doubling the judges would cost.  So, don't use this
idea to gain time.


   "Too expensive.  All that high tech. equipment must cost a lot."

Maybe.  Probably.  But the gymnastic world must spend a bundle every
year; gymnasiums (stadiums?) cost a lot, advertising takes some money,
qualified judges cannot be cheap, and the gymnastic equipment must be
very expensive.  The replay equipment would not be too sizable a chunk
out of the budget. And if it is?  Save up.  Allocate a bit of money
each year. In five years, release the wonderful new tools on the
gymnastics sport. Or, better yet, find a company which is doing video
research. Chances are, they will donate the equipment (with certain
rights, advertisements, etc.)  for free.


   "Viewing the routine from a variety of angles would be too different
    than the way it's judged now."

But a gymnastics routine is not two dimensional; it shouldn't be
viewed from just one side.  If a different angle allows the routine to
be judged more accurately, it should be used.  Not allowing this
invites gymnasts to perform for the judges, perhaps doing difficult
moves at the far end of the floor or facing away from the judges.


   "There are lots and lots of details as to how, when, where, ... the
    instant replay should be used."

Because there are lot of issues to decide on before starting something
is no reason not to try.  The same holds here.  Put together some
knowledgeable judges.  Make some educated *guesses* as to how the
system can be used best.  Implement it.  Test, test, test.  Then,
modify it as needed.  In fact, modification will always be needed;
judging continually changes with the sport.


One last response to some praise for the instant replay:

   "Use it to hold judges accountable.  Use it for complaints.  Use
    it for score reversals."

So ... using the replay, reprimand a judge or reverse a call if there
was a mistake.  Sounds good on the surface, but used this way, instant
replays cause more overrules and punishments.  Bad news.  Any benefit
in scoring consistency would be out-weighed by the damage to the
judges' credibility.  We want to increase the confidence in judges,
not decrease it.


Ok.  Two more of my cents.

   Mark

--

--------------------------------------------   /|  /|  /     /-----/   ___
Mark Claypool (claypool@cs.umn.edu 624-7807)  / | / | /     /         / | \
-------------------------------------------- /  |/  |/_____/-----/    \/_\/