Question for Fball guys: Defensive Play Signaling

[PersianCat387]

This is a question I wanted to direct towards some of the more X & O saavy people here on the board who perhaps have had some playing/coaching experience.

Hearing all the praise Coach Elliot and the defense got last week for the way they played and the complex, varied schemes they used to help stymie the UM offense, I got to thinking that even though I am rather well versed in basic football concepts and formations, I have no clue how defensive plays are called/signaled in.

Is there basically one playcall hand-signalled in to the MLB that is then conveyed to the entire team? Do different position groups look to their respective coaches for their specific calls? (like whether to stunt on the DL, press on the WRs, specific blitzes, coverage schemes, ect) When I got to thinking about it, I felt like I almost never see defenses having communication issues and looking to the sideline pre-snap in confusion, when compared to offenses where those kind of things seem quite prevalent, even though it is arguable that they are executing schemes which are just as complex as the other side of the ball.

I have no football experience to go off of, so I was wondering if some people could share their knowledge or personal experience with regards to this, just to give me a little idea of how everyone gets to where they're supposed to be and knows what they're suppose to do before each snap.

Thanks in advance.

 

[anon_7tbtqcx308nxh]

Teams do it differently. Use to be, maybe only a few years ago, you'd signal to the defensive captain who'd relay the news like a quarterback in the huddle.

But since offenses rarely huddle anymore, the coaches signal to entire unit on the field while substituting if need be. TCU, specifically, has their position coaches signal to the DL, LB, and secondary independently. They each get their own call.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

This is a question I wanted to direct towards some of the more X & O saavy people here on the board who perhaps have had some playing/coaching experience.

Hearing all the praise Coach Elliot and the defense got last week for the way they played and the complex, varied schemes they used to help stymie the UM offense, I got to thinking that even though I am rather well versed in basic football concepts and formations, I have no clue how defensive plays are called/signaled in.

Is there basically one playcall hand-signalled in to the MLB that is then conveyed to the entire team? Do different position groups look to their respective coaches for their specific calls? (like whether to stunt on the DL, press on the WRs, specific blitzes, coverage schemes, ect) When I got to thinking about it, I felt like I almost never see defenses having communication issues and looking to the sideline pre-snap in confusion, when compared to offenses where those kind of things seem quite prevalent, even though it is arguable that they are executing schemes which are just as complex as the other side of the ball.

I have no football experience to go off of, so I was wondering if some people could share their knowledge or personal experience with regards to this, just to give me a little idea of how everyone gets to where they're supposed to be and knows what they're suppose to do before each snap.

Thanks in advance.

Every DC will have his own method. Some/most will signal a player and he will relay it to the rest of the team while a few will signal each level will signal each level. If they are sending in 2-3 signals there has to be multiple signal callers with the HUNH offenses of today. DCs can't use the same signals from week to week or someone could figure it out. They also have multiple signal callers and alternate who is the live caller. But the more complex you are the more likely you are to have a miscommunication, especially if you are signaling each level. But you can't use the same signals week after week. Its a game between OC and DC, if the offense figures out the defensive signals a huge edge, and its the defenses fault for either being too simple or not changing often enough.

 

[fabcat]

Typically when DC signals in. There will be 3 parts to the signal. First will be the front, second will be the stunts, and third will be the coverage. Typically your mike lb and safety have the calls. But all defensive personnel will know the signals. Once they see the formation they will get the backer call to linemen and safety call to DB's. At least that's how we always have done it.

You will also have some dummy signals being sent in as well. I have seen as many as 3 different signals being sent in so teams have a very difficult time picking them up. Yes you can change your signals, but that sometimes get lost with your personnel