Introducing technology to sports can be controversial, for example, VAR in the Premier League and all the raging opinions and pundits that has brought about. But the German Basketball-Bundesliga hopes a new innovation will be a slam dunk by deploying RefCam technology from Riedel for the first time. As part of a scientific research project, the head-mounted camera was implemented on 28 December 2025 during a match between EPG Baskets Koblenz and Bozic Estriche Knights Kirchheim in Koblenz. Headliner sits courtside to get the lowdown.
This research initiative is designed to develop a comprehensive training concept aimed at improving the decision-making skills of basketball referees.
The Riedel RefCam is a compact, head-mounted camera system that captures game situations from the perspective of the official. Although designed for both live broadcast and recording-only scenarios, three RefCam Record units were utilised in Koblenz specifically for local recording purposes.
“Working with scientific partners is essential to advancing officiating standards,” comments Carsten Straube, B and C squad referee manager, DBB. “Innovative technology projects like RefCam can play a key role in quality assurance while also providing fresh insights for referee education and training.”
As part of a research initiative funded by the Federal Institute of Sport Science, the study focuses on the evaluation of a video-based training programme for referee decision-making. Footage captured with RefCam provides new perspectives from real game situations to supplement existing methods and is currently being integrated into the development of training materials.
“Highly dynamic game situations are difficult to capture from the referee’s perspective using conventional cameras,” adds Dr Johannes Meyer, research associate, DSHS. “RefCam enables us to record and analyse precisely these sequences with a high degree of realism.”
Jacqueline Voss, executive director of strategy and innovation at Riedel Communications, concludes: “This exciting project demonstrates that our RefCam is not only suited for immersive perspectives in live environments but can also deliver valuable insights for analysis and research. We are delighted that our technology can support both sports science research and referee development in German basketball.”