1. Using communication technology to communicate with the QB from the SL or PB is not legal in college (NCAA rules) or high schools (NCAA and NFHS).
I never stated that it was legal in the NCAA. I said that these HS coaches tend to try to emulate what they see at the levels above them.
2. The comment about "MANY" high school coaches stepping over the line is an opinion until backed by evidence. I know many, many coaches. And I have only seen a few cheaters. So, maybe don't slander an entire group of men who dedicate themselves to helping kids without evidence.
First of all, isn't most everything we say here -- unless explicitly stated as a fact -- an opinion?
Secondly, I purposely used the word 'many' and not 'most' or 'all'. If you don't believe 'many' is accurate or appropriate then we'll have to agree to disagree. But I'll also say that I feel you are naive on the subject.
IIRC, there are upwards of over 10,000 HS football programs across the country. You don't have to look any further than the recruiting/transferring that's been occurring for many years down in SoCal to know that the word 'many' isn't a big stretch.
Lastly, I've coached HS and youth off and on since 1990 and have witnessed or become aware of numerous instances of stepping over the line to gain an edge. Forgive me for not outing anybody and sharing my evidence. And having belonged to the fraternity of men and women dedicated to helping kids, forgive me if I feel entitled to speak on the subject and for not feeling bad for stating truth as I see it.
3. Video replay is allowed by NFHS rules. Any team that uses it is following the rules. The same as any other inherent advantage that is available to use (but may cost $$) such as having endzone video, or nice uniforms, or good coach headsets, or turf shoes, or gloves, or being able to afford good transportation, or good team meals, or anything else.
Agreed. I never said it was against the rules. That, to me, would be an example of stepping on the line, not over it. I personally wouldn't feel the need to use it since most of the competition wouldn't have it and wouldn't feel pressed to use it until it became more the norm. But obviously other coaches feel the need to take advantage of every advantage they can get. More power to them. While I don't consider it fair, it's certainly not illegal at this time.
So if one team in America does not have video replay, none should? Not a great argument.
Well, first of all, I didn't make that argument. But if I had, I don't think you can prove that it's a poor argument. But I'm not going to bother going down that road.
4. We did see these disparities in football teams for many decades. They may not have been obvious to people sitting in the stands, but they were there. Just start with quality coaching. Then look at uniforms. And the gear (which you don't see under the uniforms, but the kids know the difference between good shoulder pads and old shoulder pads). Some teams even have multiple helmets per player (different colors of course).
Not one of these things beyond coaching give a team a distinct competitive advantage over another. Better, newer gear would be marginal at best, and the alternate unis are purely aesthetic. So who cares? Grant Union never lost to a rich private/public school because that team had newer and fancier gear.
Quality coaching falls under the same category as superior talent/athletes. Personal skill and talent level are acceptable advantages in any competition. However, typically speaking, things that are deemed to provide a distinct or even unmeasured competitive advantage beyond ones own skill/talent level tend to not be permitted unless all parties involved have access equally.
For example, in the NFL, when one teams communication system goes down, the opposition is no longer permitted to use it because it provides a distinct competitive advantage. I'd argue the use of video on sidelines is no different, but I digress.
5. There is no 'logical next step' until it is allowed by the rules. I don't see QB communication in HS becoming a thing any time soon.
I don't either. The phrasing was an attempt at sarcasm.
Posters used on the sideline is not analogous to in-helmet communication with the QB in any way.
Yes, it most certainly is in the way that I used it. They are both examples of a tactics that HS staffs are emulating -- as evidenced by the article that was posted.
