Ohio high school football players cleared for offseason 7-on-7 competition: What we know

Pickerington North running back Michael Taylor drags Pickerington Central linebacker Braylen Landrum into the end zone for a touchdown during North’s 39-34 home win last season.

Ohio high school football players have been cleared to participate in offseason 7-on-7 competition by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

In a change to its general sports regulations, which are publicly available on the OHSAA website, players are allowed to participate in 7-on-7 at camps and play on non-scholastic teams. They may participate in these activities between May 15 and July 31, and showcases that take place before May 15 may contain 7-on-7 segments.

Contact is prohibited, and the only football equipment the players may wear are helmets and cleats.

High school coaches may coach up to seven of their own players on non-scholastic teams.

Football teams already are permitted up to 13 work days between May 15 and July 31.

Preseason practices traditionally begin Aug. 1, although they began a day earlier last summer because the 2023 season got underway Aug. 17.

Ohio High School Athletic Association

An official announcement has not been made by the OHSAA.

OHSAA director of officiating and football administrator Beau Rugg did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

“It will be similar, I think, to any AAU-style team,” said Pickerington North coach Nate Hillerich, who serves as second vice president of the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association. Hillerich noted that the OHSFCA historically has not been in favor of 7-on-7, although it has hosted a state tournament the past several summers in which high school teams can voluntarily participate.

“We would rather coach our own guys,” Hillerich said. “We want our high school guys coaching the athletes. Then you have spring sports coaches who feel like this could really…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ohio-high-school-football-players-003053194.html

Author : The Columbus Dispatch

Publish date : 2024-04-05 00:30:53

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