Signaling In Offensive Plays From Sidelines

Will to Win · January 4, 2008

I noticed that in the WVU game if Pat White looked at the WVU sidelines for a play call there were at least 4 persons signaling in the pay to White (obviously Pat knew which one to look at).

I bring this up up because it seems as the season progressed TD was becoming more aware that the opposing coaching staff might be queuing in on his signal calling, and as a result , in later games Coach George would stand in front of TD as a shield during those moments.

I like the idea of having 4-5 persons signaling in to avoid any "spying" or "stealing signs" that might be going on on the other side of the field.

What do you think?

SUMG · January 4, 2008

I noticed that in the WVU game if Pat White looked at the WVU sidelines for a play call there were at least 4 persons signaling in the pay to White (obviously Pat knew which one to look at).
I bring this up up because it seems as the season progressed TD was becoming more aware that the opposing coaching staff might be queuing in on his signal calling, and as a result , in later games Coach George would stand in front of TD as a shield during those moments.
I like the idea of having 4-5 persons signaling in to avoid any "spying" or "stealing signs" that might be going on on the other side of the field.
What do you think?

From what I understand.....as the season progressed we started having more than one person signal in the plays. (One would send in the real play....the other was a decoy. I know we used at least two at a time....not sure if we used more than that.

I think we even let Nathan Tune send in some of the plays.

UNT Mean Green · January 4, 2008

I believe the reason Dodge did use Clayton George as a shield was due to the fact that the coaches at La-Monroe and Middle Tennessee knew his signals from SLC (remember he got the no-huddle from MUTS, and the La-Monroe coach is a longtime friend of his).

There are several methods to signaling using multiple signalers, changing the "indicator", etc. I think Dodge does it this way because 1) it is what he has always done and 2) since we do have 6 players at a time getting a signal it is easier for them to only look at 1 person.

Other methods with the multiple signalers (I coached and have been a signaler) is to use position coaches as the signaler for their position (i.e. offensive line coach signals in protection, etc.), another method is to use multiple guys and one be live on pass plays and the other on run plays, or another is to have 1 live guy and as many dummies as you want...however the last one is the easiest to pick up as he usually always has something unique on his uniform (backward hat, off-colored wristband).

I don't know if he will change or what will happen, but you gotta know he'll do whatever is in the best interest of his team!