Hawkeye in Volleyball?

BREAKING NEWS…

This was recently brought to my attention today (source link here):

European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) officials have decided to employ the tracking system during the Final Four event in Poland next month.

The move means that it could then be used for the London 2012 Olympics this summer, if proved to be a success.

The system, already in use in tennis and cricket, will be used in a similar way as tennis to rule on marginal calls on whether the ball was out or not.

SO WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS?

Since valid performance indicators in volleyball will probably be my masters dissertation project (see previous blog post for a review), I wonder if Hawkeye will have any affect on valid performance indicators.  I know that rule changes in sport can have an affect on how the sport is played.  This has been shown in volleyball with the introduction of the rally point system in a study by Yiannis and Panagiotis (2004).  If Hawkeye is adopted worldwide in volleyball, will it change the importance of certain performance indicators?

IS THE INTRODUCTION OF HAWKEYE A GOOD OR BAD THING THOUGH?

It may not be a surprised (as a performance analyst who uses video to analyse performance) that I am a huge fan of the use of technology to ensure big refereeing decisions are correct.  I want to see sporting skill be the major factor in deciding a match and not incorrect refereeing decisions.  It will also give players and coaches assurances (i.e. not complaining) that the major decisions are correct.  Clearly, for every sport there needs to rules as to when and where technology can be used but I am sure these can be worked out by more cleverer men than I (grammar mistake intentional).

REFERENCE

Yiannis, L, & Panagiotis, K. (2004). Evolution in men’s volleyball skills and tactics as evidenced in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. 5(2), 1-8