Spots & Chains
 

The high tech use of chains to determine first downs seems to be fading.

It seems that when a tackle is made within (pick a number) inches of a first down, the ball is spotted favorably and the first down is signaled. Rarely is the ball spotted in the 3-6 inch range.

I do not know if statistics are kept, but it seems like measured first downs with chains are getting rarer.

I would think with all the GPS and wireless technology this could be determined remotely without needing the chains at all.

Exactly, and probably a case could be made for calling ball and strikes as well.

I worked the “chain gang” at a NAIA college football game last year. Having never done that before, it was a really cool experience. However, it was very eye opening how unprecise the process is. I would think with the technology of today it could make the chains obsolete.

Its even better when the ref folds an index card in half and sees if it fits between the ball and the end of the chain to determine if it's a first down or not.