VAR + Change

 

Psych & Such    |    16 JULY 2022

Wow, it's been almost a YEAR since I last posted.  Much has changed for me since 2021.  From moving, to accepting a new job, to making new friends, and learning new hobbies...it has been a whirlwind!

What hasn't changed in the last year is my love of playing and watching sports.  If you've forgotten from previous posts: I'm obsessed.  Recently, ESPN has added the UEFA (Union of European Football Association) Women's Euro to their offerings.  National squads from across Europe are competing in England for the coveted championship title.  An interesting new addition to the tournament is VAR, or video assistance referee.  This means referees can stop play to review close, critical, or controversial calls on the field with the potential to maintain or overturn that original call.

The use of VAR is beloved by some, while despised by others.  Regardless of what side of the debate you land on, the divide between camps is wide.  Some advantages and disadvantages to using the technology in sport are as follows:

ADVANTAGES -

• Better decision making
• Increased accountability and player discipline
• Better angles and increased visibility
• More objective, minimizes bias(es) and the flawed human element

DISADVANTAGES - 

• Slows the game down
• Hinders momentum, excitement
• Lowers responsibility/accountability for referees to be accurate
• Still not perfect
• May overemphasize small, irrelevant, or inconsequential actions and outcomes

What can VAR teach us?

1. As in sport, life is messy.  Even with the most advanced technology and other assistance, sometimes we still get it wrong.  Granting ourselves and others grace for "getting it wrong" is a natural part of life's game.
2. Leaving the game in the referees' hands is risky.  In sport, hoping the referee will see things your way is not something to hang your hat on (just ask the New Orleans Saints in January of 2019).  In life's performances, think through and plan ahead for hiccups, obstacles, and "blown calls" rather than expecting a clean and flawless game.   
3. Understand the role you play in the game.  In sport, misunderstanding your role and responsibilities can increase the likelihood for confusion and mistakes to happen in real-time.  The more successfully you know, understand, and fulfill your role, the more likely your performance will be executed well.

Photo credit: https://stock.adobe.com/images/football-referee-shows-video-assistant-referees-action/189484502?as_campaign=ftmigration2&as_channel=dpcft&as_campclass=brand&as_source=ft_web&as_camptype=acquisition&as_audience=users&as_content=closure_asset-detail-page