X's and O's are shorthand for the details of football techniques, play design, and strategy, but it is unclear why the term emerged. We explore how coaches diagrammed plays during football's first 100 years, showing increased sophistication but limited use of X's and O's.
Hut! Hut! Hike!: X's and O's
Hut! Hut! Hike!: X's and O's
Hut! Hut! Hike!: X's and O's
X's and O's are shorthand for the details of football techniques, play design, and strategy, but it is unclear why the term emerged. We explore how coaches diagrammed plays during football's first 100 years, showing increased sophistication but limited use of X's and O's.