Sideline Tour | NFL Football Operations

/

TV Liaison

Number:
One per game
Attire:
Green hat
Location:
On the sideline near the 20-yard line (next to the network liaison)
Responsibilities:
Coordinates and administers commercial breaks with the broadcasting network, radio and NFL Broadcasting

/

Coach to Coach Tech

Number:
Three to four per game
Attire:
Yellow hat
Location:
On the sideline and in the coaches’ booths
Responsibilities:
Oversees the functionality of all coaching staff communication systems on gameday, including setup, test, support and breakdown
Additional Information:
The home team is responsible for providing technicians that are approved by the NFL Football Operations department. If the visiting team travels with its technician, they will be located with the technician assigned to the visitor’s sideline.

/

Still Photo Tech

Number:
Four per game (one crew chief and three technicians)
Attire:
Purple hat
Location:
On each sideline and one in each coaches’ booth
Responsibilities:
Sets up and maintains the sideline viewing system (SVS) tablets and printers on gameday
Additional Information:
The home team is responsible for providing all devices and related equipment. Each team may use 16 league-issued Microsoft Surface tablets in the bench area and 12 tablets in the coach’s booth. Still shots of the game are taken by team video cameras and are either printed or viewed on the tablets.

/

Injury Video Review Tech

Number:
Four per game (two booth technicians and two field technicians)
Attire:
Blue hat
Location:
On each sideline and two in the ATC Spotter booth
Responsibilities:
Operates the injury video review system on the field and in the ATC Spotter booth
At the direction of the ATC Spotter, IVRS technicians tag plays and replays for team medical personnel
Supports team medical personnel when reviewing injury video

/

Football Technology Rep

Number:
Two per game
Attire:
Gray hat
Location:
One in the instant replay booth and one on the visitors’ sideline
Responsibilities:
Oversees the overall functionality of all stadium infrastructure and football technology

/

Coach to Player Tech

Number:
Two per game
Attire:
Orange hat with NFL shield
Location:
On each sideline
Responsibilities:
Manages, reports on and ensures that the coach-to-player communications technology is functioning properly throughout the game
Additional Information:
C2P technology allows a member of the coaching staff to communicate to the helmets of one designated offensive and defensive player on the field

/

Officiating GDAs

Number:
Eight to ten per game
Attire:
Maroon hat and shirt
Location:
Sidelines, press box, instant replay booth
Responsibilities:
Instant replay field operator – ensures all replay tablets are functional
Coach-to-Player (C2P) cutoff operator – coordinates the communication channel between the coach and a designated player
Game clock operator – manages the official time of the game
Play clock operator – manages the play clock
Video operator – responsible for the general functions of the instant replay operation

/

Medical GDAs

The medical GDA team consists of ATC Spotters, Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultants (UNCs), the Visiting Team Medical Liaison (VTML) and the Airway Management Physician (AMP). This team may stop the game for a medical timeout at no charge to either team, if necessary.

ATC (Certified Athletic Trainer) Spotters
Number:
Two per game
Attire:
Red hat
Location:
ATC Spotter booth
Responsibilities:
Uses injury review system equipment to monitor and review plays in which a player may have sustained an injury, particularly to the head or neck area

/

Field Communicator

Number:
One per game
Attire:
Teal hat and shirt
Location:
Home sideline on the line of scrimmage
Responsibilities:
Serves as communication link between the on-field game officials and the replay booth
Moves with the line of scrimmage to maintain communication with the officials
Additional Information:
If the ATC Spotter is unable to communicate with a game official, the communicator relays the information to the nearest official

/

Event Frequency Coordinator

Number:
Two to three per game
Attire:
Orange hat with “EFC” letters
Location:
On each sideline or press box
Responsibilities:
Sets up and monitors all wireless frequencies on stadium property to ensure communication devices are clear of interference on gameday
Tracks and manages hundreds of frequencies within the stadium as well as interference from sources outside the stadium, such as TV stations and other special events

/

Uniform Inspector

Number:
Two per game
Attire:
No specific attire
Location:
On each sideline
Responsibilities:

Enforces the NFL uniform rules and on-field policy regarding player appearance by monitoring the locker room, bench and field areas during gameday. Players with violations will have an opportunity to correct it but must be cleared by the inspector before kickoff.
For many violations, a player cannot enter the game until the problem is corrected or risks being removed from the game.

Additional Info:
Compliance with the uniform rules helps the league protect players from injury, maintain competitive balance, create a professional appearance and protect the league’s business partnerships.

Sideline Zone