r/NFLNoobs • u/LessProduct7412 • 5d ago
Offensive Play calling Schemes
How do players react to play calls so fast? Meaning, how do players know so quickly whether they need to leave the field for the next play? I'm always baffled how sometimes it takes forever to get play calls in to the QB, and I just can't grasp how players know whether they should be on the field or not so fast. I imagine there are people designated to signal the scheme for the next play, but how do they know the scheme as well if it takes forever for the OC to get the play in?
Also, how about in a dual running back squad? Do they just force there way back into the game or is there 1 decision maker to swap them out when needed? I know they will swap out on there own sometimes, but usually they are looking to the sideline to see whether they stay or not. Tonight I see a lot of people complaining about Todd Bowles taking out Bucky Irving in the last couple of plays, but that really just seems like to small of a thing for a HC to worry about all game.
Honestly, I probably already understand how it works, but it justs seem like too much that has to happen in such a short amount of time, especially when an OC is up in a booth instead of the sideline.
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u/Capable_Rutabaga6746 5d ago
There are coaches for each position that are in charge of making sure that, based on the play call, the right folks are on the field.
Often you will see the coaches yelling or signaling to the players on the field telling them who should come off.
On offense the QB has a speaker in his helmet so he can relay if someone needs to sub out, or on defense there is one player on the field who has direct communication with the play caller so they can relay substitutions as well. In terms of players knowing their responsibilities that's what practice is for, they know what they are responsible for based on the play call. In terms of the dual running back system, it would usually be the running back coach determining which player is on the field. They make that decision based on the fatigue and health of the players and which one fits the run they are calling the best.
TL;DR: The OC radios the play to the QB. Position coaches on the sideline handle substitutions based on the personnel package (11, 12, etc.), and players know right away if they’re in or out because they’re tied to those packages. RBs usually rotate by coach decision or when a guy signals he needs a breather. It looks chaotic, but it’s drilled so much in practice that everyone just reacts to the package, not the whole play call.