Minnesota Vikings

Can coaches speak to NFL quarterbacks through the helmet radio during play?

You know how the coaches radio plays to the quarterbacks in the NFL through the helmet? What keeps the coach from telling the quarterback during a play to "run" or "Smith is open". Common sense tells me that they have to cut the radio off before the play or something. If so how do they regulate it?

Public Comments

1. Good question, I would like to know the answer as well, my thoughts would be the radio traffic might be regulated from the booth up top?
2. no there is a time limit on how long you can talk and once they are lined up the connection is cut so they cant tell them whos open
3. The radios in the helmets are turned on once the play clock is started, and are shut off when the play clock reaches 15 seconds. The radios are not used during no-huddle situations as teams have a pre-determined game plan for no huddle situations and two minute drills, or the plays are called in by signals from the sidelines.
4. No! the speaker in the helmet shuts off when the play clock hits 10 seconds. after that there isno communication
5. yeah they can talk to their QB thru the mic. They QB's have a speakr in their helmet ... thats why the coach is always hiding his mouth when he is giving the QB instructions. People hire lip readers to know what the coach is telling them ... so now they hide their mouth!! =)