How does Michigan handle play-calling during the game?
Below are some things I've been wondering about in-game play calling that I don't know the answer to...
Does Borges actually call EVERY play (aside from 4th-and-short-type decisions that Hoke makes)?
To what extent are the plays scripted?
Who is on the other end of Al's headset, and who is listening in? Assistant coaches? Backup quarterbacks? The NSA?
Who relays the play call to Denard? Do they just tell him a number that corresponds to a particular play on the play card he wears on his wrist?
Also, what's the backup plan in the event that Al's headset malfuntions suddenly during a game? Who would call the plays in that situation?
This thread should be locked. Everything has been answered.
I had a nice lighthearted retort in mind, but I don't have the energy, so I'll leave it at this:
It's called a joke. Lighten up, Francis.
Thanks for the informative response.
And for the record, I didn't mind the joke responses I got. It's to be expected with a wity bunch of posters like we have here. Many of them are very entertaining. I do find it odd though that some people negged my post, as I figured this board would be the most appropriate place on the whole interwebs to post a question about Michigan's play calling. If virtual reputation points mattered to me like they apparently do to the people who negged my post, I might even be angry. ; )
You are allowed to call your own plays.
But Mike Martin's wristband playbook was as follows:
- SMASH
He's always angry.
I would assume that Borges makes all the calls, except for a exceptions. If Hoke says go for it on 4th and 1 then Borges still tells the offense what play to run.
Didn't we use backup QBs to relay in from the sidelines which call was made? I would assume that the assistant coaches, backup QBs and the NSA are listening in.
If his headset malfunctions during a game, Al will be using semaphore flags to relay in the calls. (I made this up)
For headset malfunctions, I imagine that it is just a "we have a ton of back-up headsets, and if none of them work then Al sprints down to the field" kind of deal.
They'll tand on the sideline and each will relay a different play call via hand motions so that the defense won't be able to steal signals. There is a pattern for who has the real call.
I believe that there are times when the team runs through a series of scripted plays, such as the start of the game or the half or the end of a game or half if they're trying to score quickly.
In this article Borges talks a bit about it. I believe I've read that he will deviate from the script early, say if it's third and long or something just isn't working, and maybe come back to it. But you are generally correct that he essentially runs his first 17 or so plays scripted to see what the defense is giving him, etc.
Good questions OP. This sure beats most of the fluff this time of year. Thanks for sharing the link space coyote.
Be sure to tell your wife/GF that the cheerleaders call in the plays... and you're just trying to figure out what play they are calling next.
My first double post ever. God, that felt almost as good as pos-banging myself.
Anyone else getting constant 504 Time-Out Errors, or is just my work connection?
I was getting the errors earlier today also.
Very carefully.
I think all of the questions the OP raises are interesting and I would like to know the answers myself. Y'all are just a bunch of wise-asses.
Having said that, here is my wise-ass contribution to the thread:
I think Heiko should ask Borges that right after he asks how many bubble screens are in the scripted portion of the game plan.
Seriously? THIS IS MICHIGAN...someone probably just hands Al a working headset.
tu es atrox et ineruditus homo.
Latin?!? really, your majoring in a 1500yr old dead language?
Did you really mean inerudite?
Vos usus Sanscritica
Phys. Ed?
Get out.
You know what is also great about that movie is that it has held up REMARKABLY well.