Before going into further details, let’s look at what is OTA in NFL. It’s an organized team activity that occurs in the pre-season with some parameters that teams are expected to follow.
SO WHAT IS OTA IN NFL AND ITS LIMITATIONS
The limitations of OTA in the NFL are mentioned below, and teams must ensure they follow these parameters set by governing bodies. Before proceeding further, remember a term called “phase three”, which means the 6th – tenth week of an off-season training program.
So when phase three begins, not more than three days in the first two weeks are allowed; moreover, in either 3rd or 4th week of phase three, teams can have OTAs for a maximum of four days. This parameter has one more addition: holding a mandatory veteran training minicamp for another week.
It is a chance for returning NFL players to undergo a physical examination, which takes place from Monday to Friday. Moreover, practices should not exceed two-and-a-half hours a day; players should not stay in the camp for more than 10 hours a day. In case a veteran gets absent, they will be fined for that.
TOTAL PRE-SEASON PHASES AND LENGTH OF EACH PERIOD
What is OTA in NFL when it comes to the number of phases? Well, there are a total of three off-season training phases that last for 9 weeks and are named phase one, phase two, and phase three, respectively.
Phase one accounts for the first two weeks of the training program specifically designed for limited activities other than physical training, such as strengthening, conditioning, and physical rehabilitation of the players.
What is OTA in NFL designed for during phase two of the pre-season training? In the second phase, there are three weeks designated for on-field training and can include group instructions, drills, lining up etc. However, no live contact between offensive and defensive is permitted, or drills between team defence and team offence are allowed.
While the phase will be discussed in more detail later on, you know a few things before moving to the next section. There are four weeks in phase three, an enormous number of weeks among other phases; however, only ten days are specified for OTAs, and this limit should not be exceeded.
Live contact is disallowed, and teams can host various minicamps in this phase, but that would entirely depend on the coach’s preferences and circumstances.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OTA AND MINICAMPS
What is OTA in NFL when it comes to the difference between OTA and minicamp? By now, you must have learned that OTAs are off-season training activities that last for 10 days, i.e., in phase three where the prime goal is focusing on the mental development of the player and less attention is paid to their physical stature because OTA is mainly designed for meeting and classroom instructions.
Whereas minicamps are three days sessions that also occur in the last phase, their prime goal is focusing on workouts. One prevalent thing between OTAs and minicamps is the restriction on live contact.
DO’s AND DON’T’s ON THE DAY OF OTA
So what is OTA in NFL when it comes to limitations? There are some restrictions on coaching at OTA, yet it’s not entirely restricted, and coaches can attend OTAs. Unlike during the game, coaches are restricted from having complete contact with players, irrespective of the fact that offensive and defensive drills are allowed. While there is nothing wrong with drills, as NFL allows it on OTA’s days, one on one drilling is not allowed.
Similarly, the only form of protection allowed during OTAs is a helmet, and other forms of protection are strictly restricted during pre-season activities. Another limitation during OTAs is that if a WR is having a hard time with decision making, helping on any drills regarding this problem is not allowed until the beginning of the official pre-season.
FINAL WORDS
What is OTA in NFL – during the off-season training programme, there are three phases, but the most important is the last one, called phase three. There are 10 days specified for OTAs in this phase, where the prime goal is the development of the players.
OTAs are not free from restrictions or limitations, and players and team coaches must be aware of the parameters; otherwise, they get punished for violating the rules.
Thank you for reading!