In today’s sports world, technology plays a big role in making sure calls are accurate. This has led to unique hand signals in different sports to request video reviews. In the NBA, players twirl their fingers, while NFL coaches throw red flags. Soccer players draw a box in the air for VAR, and cricket players use a “T” sign for DRS. Major League Baseball (MLB) has introduced a new signal: patting the head to challenge ball-strike calls using the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System. This system allows teams to challenge two calls per game. While these signals help ensure fairness, they can sometimes lead to misunderstandings, as seen when a player was ejected for using the head-patting gesture. The use of video reviews and hand signals is changing how games are played and watched, making accuracy a priority.
QUESTION: How might the increasing use of technology and hand signals in sports change the way fans experience games in the future?
Tapping, twirling and “T” signs: Sports replays have a language all their own
