(4-5-24) According to several media sources…Ohio high school football players have been cleared to participate in offseason 7-on-7 competition by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA).

In a change to its general sports regulations, which are on the OHSAA website, players are now 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 on August 1st.

In rivals.com story on the issue OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute, when asked in February, said –

“That’s a rule that’s in our general sports regulations for football. I would just say that we have been in conversation the last couple years with our member schools, our coaches association, to evaluate those offseason participation opportunities for student athletes. One of the things we did was move our June 1 date to May 15. That would help some of those combines that are out there.

“Most schools are getting out to the middle of May anyhow. So they’re starting their summer there. That is something we did to modify that. We’re continuing to have those discussions about what other opportunities should our student-athletes be afforded in the offseason. Particularly with football.”

The 7-on-7 change now joins doubling the number of eligible teams in football playoffs and adding three divisions in numerous sports and did not allow the 800 school membership to discuss and vote on. To this point no official word from the OHSAA on the change, when it happened and how it happened.

RELATED:

OHSAA Press Release posted shortly after SSN article—

OHSAA Expands Football 7-on-7 Opportunities

April 5, 2024

NEWS RELEASE – Ohio High School Athletic Association

Executive Director Doug Ute

www.OHSAA.org  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  |  TikTok

For Immediate Release – April 5, 2024

Contact – Tim Stried, Director of Media Relations, tstried@ohsaa.org

OHSAA Expands Football 7-on-7 Opportunities  

Football off-season regulations now consistent with other team sports

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio High School Athletic Association has announced that football 7-on-7 competition is now permitted at any time prior to and after the season, other than the 28-day no-contact period immediately after the season. Previously, 7-on-7 competition was not permitted until May 15. Full practice and hitting are still not permitted during 7-on-7 play, with helmets and cleats being the only equipment permitted.

Football 7-on-7 competition does not include the five interior linemen and uses either flags or touching the ball carrier to end a play, rather than tackling.

The OHSAA Board of Directors met earlier this week and unanimously approved changes to General Sports Regulation 7 that brings football under the same off-season regulations as other team sports. Football has always had separate and more restrictive off-season regulations.

The changes are effective immediately and student-athletes who competed in 7-on-7 competition this past winter will not be subject to a penalty.

Doug Ute, OHSAA Executive Director

“We have been talking about the football 7-on-7 regulation for some time and we believe that football should be treated the same as our other team sports, essentially allowing football athletes the same opportunities as their peers in other team sports. Most other states already allow it, so there have been a growing number of situations when Ohio student-athletes have had to pass up opportunities in the winter and spring due to our regulations. We want to stress that hitting is still not permitted in the off-season, but this change expands what football players can do outside the season.”

The changes mean that prior to May 15, a limit of seven football players from the same school team can now play together in a 7-on-7 competition, and there is no limit on the number of 7-on-7 competitions in which a player or coach can participate. After May 15, there is no change to the current regulation, meaning there is no limit on the number of players from the same school team who can compete together in 7-on-7 competition.

In addition, there are 13 days of coaching permitted in excess of the seven-player limit from May 15 to July 31. Contact and equipment, other than helmets and cleats, remain prohibited during that time.