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Live video judging will have to be introduced across the board sooner or later because the technology has become so prevalent that it is a readily-available tool which is simply being neglected, presumably due to the time constraints of live broadcasting. Logically, it should be implemented so as to not only provide fair and accurate scoring for fighters, but to also compliment the live broadcast itself.
Here's an idea..
Either 3 or 6 video judges are in a soundproofed room somewhere in the arena. They start watching the fight on live HD video feed. They watch the fight without sound, so as not to be influenced by the commentary team, or the crowd reaction. The ability to pause, rewind, slow-mo and easily set markers is incorporated into the bespoke judging software.
By the time the fight has finished, the video judges are given extra time to complete watching the fight to factor in any delays caused by slow motion, rewinding, pausing. This additional time would vary from fight to fight, but would probably average 10 minutes extra before their scores are submitted. They would be instructed to skip the in-between round footage with a purpose built "1 minute skip" option, which would ultimately salvage 11 minutes of time with which they could be replaying key areas of the action. A video judge would require specific training on how to use the software and assess the action in a timely manner.
In terms of announcing the scores, well this is where a new element of drama could come in to play. After live judges scores are read, a brief 3 second pause, the announcer says either "OVERTURNED by video judges" or "CONFIRMED by video judges". Everyone would be hanging on that final word - Overturned or Confirmed. The scores of the video judges could be shown through an on-screen graphic instead of the announcer laboriously reading them all out.
So there's a rough example of one way video judging could be implemented in a time-efficient manner which would not only contribute towards fair scoring but would also add some further excitement to the end of a bout from an entertainment perspective.
The question is, which sanctioning body are going to be savvy enough to be the first to mandate this across the board and start the judging revolution, a new era in fair judging?
Here's an idea..
Either 3 or 6 video judges are in a soundproofed room somewhere in the arena. They start watching the fight on live HD video feed. They watch the fight without sound, so as not to be influenced by the commentary team, or the crowd reaction. The ability to pause, rewind, slow-mo and easily set markers is incorporated into the bespoke judging software.
By the time the fight has finished, the video judges are given extra time to complete watching the fight to factor in any delays caused by slow motion, rewinding, pausing. This additional time would vary from fight to fight, but would probably average 10 minutes extra before their scores are submitted. They would be instructed to skip the in-between round footage with a purpose built "1 minute skip" option, which would ultimately salvage 11 minutes of time with which they could be replaying key areas of the action. A video judge would require specific training on how to use the software and assess the action in a timely manner.
In terms of announcing the scores, well this is where a new element of drama could come in to play. After live judges scores are read, a brief 3 second pause, the announcer says either "OVERTURNED by video judges" or "CONFIRMED by video judges". Everyone would be hanging on that final word - Overturned or Confirmed. The scores of the video judges could be shown through an on-screen graphic instead of the announcer laboriously reading them all out.
So there's a rough example of one way video judging could be implemented in a time-efficient manner which would not only contribute towards fair scoring but would also add some further excitement to the end of a bout from an entertainment perspective.
The question is, which sanctioning body are going to be savvy enough to be the first to mandate this across the board and start the judging revolution, a new era in fair judging?
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