article OTA- speeding up the process, breaking up the monotony

We had an OTA here today with Danville, Mason County, & Woodford County. We originally got the idea from some high schools in south Alabama who had copied the NFL style workout. 7 on 7 is part of the OTA, but we also incorporate inside drill, 11 on 11, punt coverage and returning punts. This is a noncontact event. It involves all areas of the game and the kids enjoy an NFL style workout.

I also like the OTA because it really pushes our kids after only having two workouts. We run multiple sets. They don't like so many sets and us pushing them to play fast. But, I could show them with my watch that as the day progressed, we played faster and better. We still have a long way to go, but overall it was good progress.

Working our punt protection today, our guys got to see several different looks for punt rush. We corrected a bunch of mistakes. We also had to field punts with guys running down and getting in our face.

I was especially pleased with our linebackers today. They worked hard to do the fundamental things we want done. They were very coachable and did well getting to the right spot.

The report I got from our linemen work was also positive.

To a HS football player in 2017, July 10 until the first game on August 19th is a long time! The OTA workout breaks up the monotony of workouts and practices. If anything, we may add another one next year.

If any other HS coaches have experience or ideas on OTAs, please send those to me at david.buchanan@mercer.kyschools.us.

OTA = Organized Team Activities

Photos @: Black Shoes and White ShoeStrings: OTA- speeding up the process, breaking up the monotony

Does Kentucky not allow contact during the summer. We hosted our own today with a couple of teams. We started with a one on one WR/DB challenge while the rest worked on an inside period, then the skill players did 7v7 while the lineman did a challenge on the boards, then we ended with 11 on 11 team drills. We are in shells when we do this and we stop on a thud although some players do go to the ground quite often. I love the contact because it gets them out of their 7v7 mindset and it lets us know who is going to be a ball player. I'd rather do several of these a summer instead of having spring practice.

Right now in KY we are at zero contact for the first few practices. I know in Alabama the OTAs are more physical also. Our OTA is no contact. Tough to do, but we stay after the kids to keep it that way so no one gets hurt, in trouble, possibly lose the opportunity, etc.

It is a small concession for the quality and amount of work we can get done.

We're still in our summer schedule. We can't start until the 24th. When we do start it's 5 days of helmet only to get accustomed to the heat.

What is the legality of OTA in this format, I thought this was shy teams quit going to camp because they couldn't do 11 v 11 activity.

What is the legality of OTA in this format, I thought this was shy teams quit going to camp because they couldn't do 11 v 11 activity.

Non contact. Different animals

Non contact. Different animals

That is correct.