Silent Huddle: Calling Flag Plays With Hand Signs

Each team invents hand signs to call three plays and runs them without talking. It works on nonverbal communication and receiving routes, and includes deaf students or those with language difficulties.

How to play

1. Each team invents three signs, one per play: short route, deep route and handoff run (4 min).
2. Walk-through with no defense: the quarterback signals and the team runs it in silence (5 min).
3. Silent 4 vs. 4 game; the defense tries to crack the signs (8 min).
4. Switch: a sideline player gives the signs instead of the quarterback (5 min).
5. Each team explains its signs and which one the defense figured out (3 min).

Rules

• No talking during the play; clapping to call for the ball is allowed.
• The quarterback rotates every possession.
• No contact or blocking; pull flags.
• Signs can't be rude or imitate people.

Variations

Adaptations

• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: can suggest signs from their sign language and lead the huddle.
• Students with low vision: get the sign by touch, with taps on the hand.
• Students with limited mobility: act as sideline signaler or quarterback.

Learning goals

• Communicate without words to coordinate the offense.
• Run receiving routes from a signal.
• Value different ways of communicating.

Equipment for a class of 25

• flag belts: 30
• flag footballs: 6
• pinnies: 30
• cones: 16

Teacher tip

It works great with deaf students in the group, but don't put them in the spotlight without asking first. Common mistake: signs that look too alike; ask for signs readable from 10 m.

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