NCAA Approves Helmet Communication and Sideline Tablets in College Football
The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel has officially approved the use of helmet communication and sideline tablets in the Football Bowl Subdivision. This decision comes after a successful trial run during bowl games by several teams using the technology. The changes, proposed by the NCAA’s football rules committee, were expected to be approved and Friday’s decisions were the final rubber stamps.
Teams will now be allowed to have one player on the field with helmet communication technology, signified by a green dot on the helmet, similar to the NFL. Teams can bring up to 10 coach-to-player devices to a game, with a list of device-eligible players submitted to the conference office before the pregame meeting. The conference will select a vendor, ensuring consistency throughout the conference. GSC and CoachComm are expected to be the main vendors for this technology.
The communication will shut off with 15 seconds left on the play clock or when the ball is snapped. A cutoff operator will be hired and managed by the conference. If one team’s operations go down, both teams will cease using the communication. It’s important to note that this rule change was not a response to Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal but rather a step toward an easier process.
In addition to helmet communication, the panel also approved the use of tablets to view in-game video for all three football divisions. Teams can use up to 18 tablets, which will display video feeds including broadcast and camera angles from the sideline or end zone. However, these tablets are not allowed to have data or other communication access. DVSport is expected to be the vendor of choice for most schools.
Another noticeable change for fans is the addition of a two-minute warning for the second and fourth quarters, similar to the NFL. This will serve as a fixed point for a media timeout and prevent consecutive TV timeouts. It will also allow officials to switch to rule changes that occur in the final two minutes of the game.
These rule changes aim to align college football with the advancements seen in the NFL and high school associations. While they won’t completely eliminate sideline signals or sign-stealing, they will make communication between players and coaches more efficient. Some coaches have expressed a desire for more communication-eligible players on the field, but the rules committee has decided to stay in line with the NFL’s current regulations.
Overall, these changes signify a step forward for college football, enhancing the game-day experience for players, coaches, and fans alike. The implementation of helmet communication and sideline tablets will improve communication on the field and provide teams with valuable video insights. Additionally, the addition of a two-minute warning will prevent excessive TV timeouts and allow for smoother end-of-game scenarios. As college football catches up to the technological advancements already seen in other leagues, we can expect to see more innovations in the future that further enhance the sport.