Will Howard

The use of technology on the football sideline has taken a major step forward in 2024 with the introduction of in-helmet communication and sideline tablets. While in-helmet communication allows one player on offense and defense to hear play calls from coaches, it’s the use of tablets that may quietly make the biggest difference.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day emphasized how tablets offer precise, real-time feedback during games. Coaches can now evaluate a player’s performance after each series, helping players make corrections immediately. Day noted, “When you can identify what has happened on the last play… it’s really helped our coaching in terms of being accurate.” Instead of relying solely on verbal feedback, coaches can now show players exactly what went wrong by reviewing game footage on the spot.

With up to 18 tablets allowed on the sidelines, locker rooms, and coach’s booths, teams like Ohio State can watch three different angles of each play—sideline, end zone, and TV broadcast. This access allows for real-time adjustments, especially for young players who may need to see their mistakes to correct them quickly.

Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles echoed this sentiment, saying, “We’re getting everything in real-time. You can pretty much grade a player after every series.” The tablets provide instant replay of every phase of the game—offense, defense, and special teams—so coaches can analyze performance and make faster, more informed decisions.

Ohio State’s ability to use tablets may not seem flashy, but it’s an advantage that allows coaching adjustments to be more precise. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and Knowles, both coaching from the booth, can organize plays and analyze footage more effectively with the aid of tablets.

The impact of not having this tool can be felt too. Northern Illinois head coach Thomas Hammock pointed out that the lack of iPads might have played a role in his team’s upset victory over Notre Dame. With both teams unable to use tablets due to technical issues, Hammock felt his team had an edge, as it prolonged Notre Dame’s ability to adjust their strategy.

Though Notre Dame’s coaches downplayed the role of missing tablets in their loss, the ability to quickly evaluate and adjust during a game is undeniably critical. The use of tablets provides teams with an analytical edge, helping them stay organized and make quick, accurate corrections that can affect the outcome of games.

In modern football, the ability to adapt during a game is paramount, and the introduction of sideline tablets is proving to be a game-changer for teams looking to maintain that edge.