Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by mulmen 1725 days ago
Why don't any of these score displays show the field position? It's 3rd and 8 but are we in field goal range? Gotta wait for a camera angle that shows the field.
4 comments

a) because "field goal range" is subjective and differs among kickers

b) the football field is extremely well-marked to easily determine the field position

> a) because "field goal range" is subjective and differs among kickers

Of course field goal range is subjective. That's my point. If I know the position on the field I can make my own decision based on my perception of our kicker.

> b) the football field is extremely well-marked to easily determine the field position

Yes, when it is on screen. Between plays a wide angle of the field is rare.

> based on my perception of our kicker.

The amount of work it would take for every network to know every kicker and create a framework for showing that is a lot higher than for you to know your team's kicker, which odds are you already know anyway. Though it creates another marketing opportunity (Red Gold Red Zone, anyone?) so maybe it's just a matter of time.

ESPN (and sometimes Fox, I think?) will sometimes show a field mark like the AR first down line for a team's kicker's record kick (furthest kick they've made successfully in a game with this team). My brain tells me when I've seen it has most often been a Blue Line, so I guess it denotes the wider kick-scoring "Blue Zone" versus the field-scoring "Red Zone"?
They often have line indicators to show field goal range. I'm not sure if that's specific one broadcaster. I agree field position would be handy.
Similarly, if it’s “3rd & GOAL”, how much farther is there to go? Nine and a half yards? Three inches?
Pretty standard for them to call out "3rd & Goal from the 5" or, graphically, above "3rd & goal" a pop-up text with an arrow ">Ball at %Team% 5".
They probably change to "3rd & Inches" when it's less than a yard.
They do not.

3rd & inches from the 1 would indicate the chance to get a 1st down, and additional downs to score.

However, you'd have to know that "Inches" is a possibility to deduce that "GOAL" is more than mere inches to go.

I'll summon my FOSS-based knowledge of UX to suggest a change:

Change "3rd & GOAL" to "3rd -g --ONLY_INCHES_TO_GO=NULL" and "3rd & INCHES" to "3rd -g --ONLY_INCHES_TO_GO=4"

Broadcasts often have something like "3rd & Goal. Ball at opp 6" or "1st & 10. Ball at own 25".
I personally like it as is. When the ball snaps you can see the yardline and they do usually put up a field goal line when its appropriate. I feel like for whatever value it adds being on the bottom it ultimately clutters things more.
> I personally like it as is.

You are wrong.

> When the ball snaps you can see the yardline and they do usually put up a field goal line when its appropriate.

Uh huh, when it snaps. But between the previous down and the snap spectators are in the dark. I can buy a 70" TV for less than $1,000.00. I don't need to save space on the screen. I need context.