News Article: Clemson Football: How Tigers Mastered the art of Signal Stealing

[CB4]

agreed...back in the day (1964-1967) we got plays in by substitutes or occasionally the qb called the play. we had a term back then called 'bird dogging'. we were coached to look for tendencies of the players on the other team... was the qb or running back or offensive linemen tipping the play with their eyes/ body lean, stance etc. we used this to out advantage because a lot of people do things differently on each play and some of those things tip of pass or run etc. in one game the guy playing opposite of me (a lineman) put his knuckles in the ground when it was a running play and extended fingers in the ground when it was a pass. now this is not stealing signals technically ( started to say 'per se' but didn't know if it fit) i do believe in good sportsmanship and fair play so i told the guy about after the game and he thanked me.
for some reason, i feel like a cheap football slut for not telling him during the game... i feel cheap and dirty and need a shower but since it is friday night and my bath day is saturday, i will wait.
also, we were coached to NOT bird dog.

I consider this “tipping” and not stealing. In baseball it is done all the time. A pitcher holds his glove a certain way when he throws a fastball or “tips” a breaking ball on how he approaches the ball in his glove. A base runner that positions his hands or body a certain way when he is going on a pitch. Those are simple tendencies and a good coach recognizes if a player is “tipping” and coaches them out of it.

Building a team of merry men to steal signals is a different thing.

 

[Rolltide51]

I consider this “tipping” and not stealing. In baseball it is done all the time. A pitcher holds his glove a certain way when he throws a fastball or “tips” a breaking ball on how he approaches the ball in his glove. A base runner that positions his hands or body a certain when he is going on a pitch. Those are simple tendencies and a good coach recognizes if a player is “tipping” and coaches them out of it.

Building a team of merry men to steal signals is a different thing.

well said.

 

[B1GTide]

What we are talking about here is very similar to what the Astros did to steal a world series. Something which is considered to be a total disgrace to the sport. But somehow in football it is okay?

 

[DzynKingRTR]

What we are talking about here is very similar to what the Astros did to steal a world series. Something which is considered to be a total disgrace to the sport. But somehow in football it is okay?

They are saying it is different. They are not explaining how it is different, but it is different.

Edit: Well I guess because it doesn't specifically say they cannot do it that makes it ok. Of course it doesn't specifically say you cannot beat on a trash can to signal the pitch either. It also doesn't specifically say you cannot video tape your opponents practices. It also doesn't specifically say you cannot coach completely nude either.

 

[edwd58]

They low down, they dirty, they some sign stealers. I hate Clemson...

 

[CB4]

They are saying it is different. They are not explaining how it is different, but it is different.

Edit: Well I guess because it doesn't specifically say they cannot do it that makes it ok. Of course it doesn't specifically say you cannot beat on a trash can to signal the pitch either. It also doesn't specifically say you cannot video tape your opponents practices. It also doesn't specifically say you cannot coach completely nude either.

I remember years ago when I coached a game in the nude. It was tremendously cold that afternoon.
I was really embarrassed when one of my players asked “Who is the lady filling in for Coach?”

 

[OSUTideFan]

This thread is going places.

 

[CajunCrimson]

I imagine scripted 1st series do well vs Clemson.

 

[BamaFossil]

I don't have a problem with a team gaining real-time knowledge of the opponent's upcoming play if they can; and if they stay within the allowed rules of the game. (Notice how I avoided using the pejorative word "stealing"... )

The problem is where to draw the line. At one end of the spectrum, for example, if a DB notices a "tell" on an RB when he's going to get the ball, is it OK for the DB to position himself in expectation of the RB getting the ball? At the other end of the spectrum, is it OK to hire people whose primary role is to use targeted AI to capture and relay the opponent's offensive signals in real-time?

Bottom line: IMO it's the offense's job to keep their signals away from the defense.

 

[Im_on_dsp]

I know the football purists don't like it but why not just allow the quarterback to wear a headset like they do in the NFL? That'll end sign stealing.

How do the headsets in quarterback helmets work?

The QB helmet radio exists thanks to two Browns fans with a top-secret plan

www.sbnation.com

 

[teamplayer]

It really makes one wonder about the 2017 game. New play caller, Alabama has issues just getting the calls in much less doing anything to avoid sign stealing. Alabama ends up 2-15 on third downs.

I don't think we made it very difficult on them that game. We seemed to run or QB scramble from weak pass on first and second down and then throw incomplete or scramble on third and long. We had become very predictable. That was such a shame to waste that incredible defense. They just got worn down. Man, that D was nasty.

 

[crimsonaudio]

I know the football purists don't like it but why not just allow the quarterback to wear a headset like they do in the NFL? That'll end sign stealing.

How do the headsets in quarterback helmets work?

The QB helmet radio exists thanks to two Browns fans with a top-secret plan

www.sbnation.com

I've wondered why the NCAA hasn't moved this direction for years.

Then I remember that it's the NCAA and they only care about money.

 

[KrAzY3]

I don't think we made it very difficult on them that game. We seemed to run or QB scramble from weak pass on first and second down and then throw incomplete or scramble on third and long. We had become very predictable.

The thing is Hurts actually ran quite well (10 times for 63 yards).

Now I do recall the Clemson linebacker barking out plays in that game and some discussion of him knowing the plays. Due to Sark being a late addition, Alabama wasn't really able to respond either. Alabama called a play, Clemson adjusted to it and that was that.

But go one step further. If for instance Alabama calls a pass play and Clemson just happens to play it perfectly, what happens then? Hurts scrambles around trying to make a play. They weren't calling designed scrambles, that just happened and the fact that Hurts actually was productive doing that points to the notion that Clemson was in better position to defend other things.

Obviously it wasn't just one issue, but if you add the element of Clemson possibly stealing signs, you explain why their linebacker was calling them out eh?

 

[Rolltide51]

there are only two real options to stop it: return to the wishbone or punt on first down everytime we get the ball.

 

[Stonecoldtide]

There always something that makes you wonder about Dabo...

 

[tidefanbeezer]

It appears to be a great solution:
"North Carolina, which nearly beat the Tigers last year in Chapel Hill, implemented a “sugar” huddle (short and sweet) for that game. North Carolina State and Pittsburgh, other ACC teams that either beat Clemson or came close within the last five years, huddled during those games."

I noticed Notre Dam huddled a fair bit in last night's game. In fact the announce team at one point jokingly commented, "For our younger audience, this is what is known as a huddle." as ND huddled up on offense.

 

[colbysullivan]

ND definitely read the article

 

[B1GTide]

I noticed Notre Dam huddled a fair bit in last night's game. In fact the announce team at one point jokingly commented, "For our younger audience, this is what is known as a huddle." as ND huddled up on offense.

True, but ND generally huddles under Kelly. I don't think that this was a change for Clemson

 

[crimsonaudio]

True, but ND generally huddles under Kelly. I don't think that this was a change for Clemson

Hard to argue it wasn't effective wrt stealing signals.

 

[B1GTide]

Hard to argue it wasn't effective wrt stealing signals.

Totally agree. I assume Sark and Saban have noticed.