One long-standing distinction between the NFL and college football went by the wayside this offseason when the NCAA approved the use of helmet communication for FBS games. Yet, old habits die hard, as it may take years before sideline play cards become a rarity in the sport.
How Do Sideline Play Cards Work?
Historically, college coaches gave substitutes the play call before they ran into the huddle. However, high-tempo offenses needed a quicker way to signal calls to their players, thus the rise of the sideline play cards.
Towering above the fray, massive poster boards appeared on the sidelines, displaying a collage of celebrities, superheroes, animals, and a medley of random symbols. What each one stands for differs per team and largely per game, but in short, sideline play cards are a visually stimulating and easy way to efficiently get calls to the players on the field.
In general, the pictures typically correlate to an entire play, formation, or route. Of course, there is gamesmanship involved, with some of the images meaning nothing, with their sole purpose to trick the defense. Every team uses their boards differently, but it’s the same as QBs using wristbands with the play calls on them and then repeating that call to the rest of the offense in a huddle.
With sideline play cards, the unit can quickly glance at the board, decode the call, and execute it on the field with impressive speed. This streamlined communication enhances their ability to respond rapidly to the game’s dynamics.
Why Do College Coaches Still Use Sideline Play Cards?
The short answer? That’s what they are used to, and it’s much easier on the young players in the locker room. We’ve all seen the ridiculously long play calls in the NFL, forcing the QB to repeat every word to a tee.
Sideline play cards are a low-effort and low-stress way to communicate the same play. Of course, NFL calls typically come with checks and even a whole other play to switch to, but with the speed at which college offenses move, there’s no need for an overly complicated system.
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That said, as college coaches become more familiar with helmet communication, we’ll likely see a decline in sideline play card usage, as stealing signs can certainly give defenses the advantage — it just might take a while.
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