I don’t know why this never occurred to me before. so quarterbacks have headsets in their helmets so they can communicate with the coaching staff. I was always under the impression that they only used it before the play, just to prevent using a runner, but is the coach ever on the microphone during the play? maybe telling the quarterback where somebody is open if he can’t see it

  • rockstarmode@lemmy.world
    86·
    4 months ago

    The headsets are active between plays, and have one way communication with one player on each side. Typically this is the quarterback on offense and a team captain/play caller on defense. These players wear special helmets typically marked with a green dot on the back.

    The refs or other officials cut off communication when the play clock reaches 15 seconds, preventing the kind of real-time communication you suggest.

      • Bobby Turkalino@lemmy.yachts
        72·
        4 months ago

        To clarify, the helmet comms are cut off after 15 seconds every play (i.e. after the first 15 seconds of the play clock have elapsed)

        • rockstarmode@lemmy.world
          11·
          4 months ago

          False.

          Source

          Section 3, article 3: SPEAKERS IN HELMETS

          The Coach-to-Player system allows a member of the coaching staff in the bench area or the coaches’ booth to communicate to a designated offensive or defensive player with a speaker in his helmet. The communication begins once a game official has signaled a down to be over and is cut off when the play clock reaches 15 seconds or the ball is snapped, whichever occurs first.