CameraHunt: An Important Unmentioned Point About Hand Signals

[maverick4]

Anyone who knows for sure, please feel free to clarify, add, or correct me on this.

From what I have gathered, hand signals from the sidelines are only used to communicate the upcoming package/formation, meaning the personnel. It does not reveal anything about the actual playcall that will occur, it only gives a clue as to what kind of personnel the other side will use, so that you can choose your own personnel accordingly. And even then, teams routinely change up their hand signals for the various personnel packages.

Has anyone else read something similar to this, or can confirm/dispel this point?

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

I know some people hate this guy's guts.. But Tony Kornheiser said it best... Its a tape , a tape that is seen by 100 million people, other teams change your signal, too bad your not smart enough to do it... Belichick was smarter than everybody, and I guess people are just jealous.. THIS WHOLE THING WAS NOTHING......

Sorry I dont think that helped you awnser your questions, but I believe its just the package...

 

[bbabin]

For offense, just the package. The play is given via the headset to the QB.

For defense however, the hand signals are for the play.

This is my understanding at least.

 

[maverick4]

Do defensive hand signals just call out the personnel package (3-4, nickel, etc) or does it communicate say, a blitz from the weak side too?

 

[JoePats]

Do defensive hand signals just call out the personnel package (3-4, nickel, etc) or does it communicate say, a blitz from the weak side too?

I believe bbabin is correct, and they indicate both.