Why Are There Telephones on Football Fields?

While football may seem like a simple sport, with the goal of the game to get the football past the endzone pylons, the game is actually much more complicated and strategic than first appears.  And while certain plays may appear to be decided upon the quarterback’s instincts, there are a slew of offensive and defensive coordinators situated across the sidelines and press boxes providing timely information to the players on the field.

And if you’ve ever watched an NFL or college football game, you may have noticed that there are a number of telephones situated near each teams’ sidelines.  But just exactly why are there telephones on football fields and who uses these telephones?

Below, we are going to look at and discuss just why there are telephones on the sidelines of major football games and their purpose and use.  In addition, we will discuss just who uses these telephones and who answers them on the other end.  Lastly, we will look to see if either the NFL or the NCAAF will phase out the use of these phones for more technologically advanced options.

The Purpose of Telephones on Football Fields

As mentioned above, the game of football is a strategic one.  And with 11 football players on the field for each team, there is a lot going on between each play.  As such, many football and NFL teams will situate offensive and defensive coordinators in the press box, allowing them a bird’s eye view of the action on the field.

These offensive and defensive coordinators, having a better view of the action on the field from the press boxes, are able to relay information and strategic plays back to the head coach, assistant coaches, and team captains.  And the single best way for them to relay this information is via a dedicated phone line which they can call during the game to provide that information.

Essentially, the purpose and reason that there are telephones on NFL and college football fields is so that offensive and defensive coordinators can provide coaching staff and key players with information on what they are seeing and suggestions as to what plays they should complete to take advantage of the opposing teams vulnerabilities.

Who Talks to the Coordinators on the Phone?

While nearly any player or coaching staff can pick up or answer the phone and discuss strategy with the offensive and defensive coordinators situated in the press box, generally doing so is left to the head coach, key assistant coaches, and key players, including the quarterback and team captains.

The reason for this is that generally those coaching staff and players understand the strategy of each game better than the other staff and players.  As such, those staff members and players are better able to make decisions as to the next play and what plays to run to exploit the opposing teams’ weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

Furthermore, those staff members and players will be better able to provide their own insights back to the offensive and defensive coordinators, typically being able to decide on the best play and strategies to utilize during the game.

And lastly, these staff members and key players typically have the greatest influence and respect of the head coach.  While there are a number of offensive and defensive coordinators who provide guidance on plays and strategies for the game, the decision ultimately lies with the head coach.

As such, typically only key staff members and players will answer and discuss strategy with the staff located in the press box as they are the ones who are able to best present those strategies to the head coach, who will make a final decision on the play.

Why Don’t Football Teams Just Use Cell Phones?

Lastly, a common question we’ve seen asked regarding the phones on the sidelines of major football games is, why don’t football teams just use cell phones to communicate between the offensive and defensive coordinators and staff and key players on the field?

The reason is that both the NFL and collegiate programs have strict rules regarding the use of cell phones on the field and during a live game.  The reason is to deter both any aspects of cheating and the use of cell phones while players are on the field.

An easy and simple way to circumvent the absence of cell phones on the field is to simply place dedicated telephones on the field, which can only be used to call and discuss strategy with phones situated in the press box and only available to the offensive and defensive coordinators of a given team.

By having dedicated phones available on the football field, coaching staff and key players are still able to communicate and discuss strategy with their offensive and defensive coordinators, without having to use cell phones to do so.