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- Thread starter Mtowncyclone13
- Start date
I'd probably read such a book, if it exists. And I did play (only thru HS and a LONG time ago).
I'm not an expert, but it seems like naming the formation groups would be ideal. Then you just need a word or two to communicate who all needs to be on the field. Players just need to remember which formation groups they are on the field for. For example, shout out "base" and the people who are associated with the base formation head onto the field. You could probably assign second-strings to each position as well in case someone goes down mid-game they already know who needs to be in.
I'm sure @isufbcurt could save you the money on the book and explain it. He played football or something
So I will shed some light on this from my experiences:
Subbing:
First subbing is usually done via pre-determined packages. For ex these players go in the cheetah package, these players go in on the wildcat package, these players go in on the tiger package, etc. The packages are being yelled on the sideline "cheetah" "cheetah" - those guys go in.
Also, even though there are over 100 guys on the team, but only 70 are on the travel squad. These 70 are the ones most likely to play, all the 2 deeps and some in the 3 deep. These guys are always supposed to be around the position coaches/coordinators on the sidelines and ready to go in the game when they are yelled for.
As for your other questions on equipment and what everyone on the sideline does I think it would be easier if you asked specific questions and I answered those.
Part of it is numbered personnel groupings. 11 = 1 running back, 1 tight end. 12 = 1 back, 2 TE. 21 = 2 back, 1 TE. Someone on the sideline holds up a sign with this number so everyone knows. And if you're in base 11, you know when you're in. Maybe you're the 2nd back on 21. Maybe you're the 2nd TE in base 12 but someone else is 2nd TE in 3rd down 12. Players have to know this stuff, and it's being yelled out on the sideline.
Equipment -- what specifics? There are so many things going on. They run balls on the sidelines, typically with one at/near the line of scrimmage and one 10 yards down field, each with one or two balls to quickly get them into the officials. Each team brings their own. There are people checking uniforms for rips, swapping out gloves as needed, replacing chinstraps, fixing and swapping facemasks if needed (over time, or with a good direct blow to the facemask, it can flatten a bit which changes it's fit against the helmet -- becomes looser). Making sure coaches have whiteboards and markers when their unit comes to the sideline. The trunks on the sideline for equipment have backup helmets, shoes, gloves, extra sweat bands, detachable cleat studs, jerseys, socks, anything a player would wear or a coach would need on the field. Then the athletic trainers have trunks of tape, wraps, braces, small therapy tools, and of course the big water and gatorade cart. Equipment staff and athletic trainers watch the game very differently than the average person.
Equipment -- what specifics? There are so many things going on. They run balls on the sidelines, typically with one at/near the line of scrimmage and one 10 yards down field, each with one or two balls to quickly get them into the officials. Each team brings their own. There are people checking uniforms for rips, swapping out gloves as needed, replacing chinstraps, fixing and swapping facemasks if needed (over time, or with a good direct blow to the facemask, it can flatten a bit which changes it's fit against the helmet -- becomes looser). Making sure coaches have whiteboards and markers when their unit comes to the sideline. The trunks on the sideline for equipment have backup helmets, shoes, gloves, extra sweat bands, detachable cleat studs, jerseys, socks, anything a player would wear or a coach would need on the field. Then the athletic trainers have trunks of tape, wraps, braces, small therapy tools, and of course the big water and gatorade cart. Equipment staff and athletic trainers watch the game very differently than the average person.
If it's bowed to the point of changing the helmet fit. It's rare, but happens if someone pretty particular about the snugness of their helmet fit. Or if there is a significant amount of steel exposed, usually at the joints. The rubber coating sheds off with hard contact. The latter is rarely cause for a change in-game as it's hard to notice, but gets done in weekly helmet inspections/prep. On that note, game helmets are prepped every week with a light cleaning agent and wipe down, touch up paint, decal replacement as needed, facemask and chinstrap checks, etc.
Helpful. Effectively it really would only about equipment failure. There isn’t a change to modify vision etc.
@isufbcurt was on point with his post, you're just a little off. The skill positions all know what group they're in based off words. Cheetah, tiger, bronco, etc. were all names of personnel groups and coaches would be yelling it out as well as having a hand signal. Players around on the sideline all do it too so it's clear to everyone. The signs you're thinking of is actually for the defense to quickly know what personnel the offense has on the field.
I should be able to answer quite a few of these questions, I was an equipment guy for Rhoads last two years and Campbell's first, and then had a little different role my senior year with more football responsibilities and less equipment.
Brain fart on my part, haha. Yes, the card held up is for Defense to know what the other team has in the game. It's been a while for me.
