press box duty

SMD,

I was in the pressbox the first three years I coached. Here are the things I was ALWAYS supposed to communicate to the DC:

1) Down, Distance, and Ball placement (obvious);

2) Offensive personnel coming onto the field (game film tells us the tendancies for each player or package); and

3) How often the opposing OC talked to the shuttle before sending in the play (this is a dead giveaway that whatever you are doing is working and they are making an adjustment).

This is quite a bit of info to observe and then convey to the sideline each play.

Some of the other items I was asked to watch for:

4) Are they cutting?

5) Are they pulling onside or backside?

6) Receivers' effort run vs. pass.

7) QB's first look on drop back pass.

8) TB stance.

9) FB alignment.

10) When the QB audibles, what did he see that made him audible? (You can stem or fake that alignment everyplay, thus taking the OC's play call out of the equation every time they continue to respond to it)

10) How often opposing coaches huddle amongst themselves?

Here are a few important rules for the pressbox as they were explained to me.

1) Do not watch the game, watch your responsibility(s) throughout the play.

2) No excessive chatter over the headsets.

3) Do not offer advice/suggestions unless asked.

4) Do not repeat what is being said over the headsets at any time, unless given specific permission to do so (even then think twice before you do).

Hope this helps.

Coach G.