Ohio high school football players have been cleared by the Ohio High School Athletic Association to participate in offseason 7-on-7 competition.
The general sports rules changes, published on the OHSAA website, will allow players to participate in 7-on-7 at camp and play on non-school teams. He can participate in these activities from May 15th until July 31st, and showcases held before May 15th may include his 7-on-7 segment.
Contact is prohibited and the only soccer equipment players are allowed to wear is helmets and spikes.
High school coaches can coach up to seven players on non-high school teams.
Football teams are already allowed to work up to 13 days between May 15th and July 31st.
Preseason practice traditionally begins on August 1st, but last summer it started a day earlier as the 2023 season began on August 17th.
No official announcement has been made by OHSAA.
OHSAA Director of Officiating and Soccer Administrator Bo Rugg did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
“All AAU-style teams are going to be similar,” said Pickerington North coach Nate Hillerich, second vice president of the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association. Hillerich noted that while the OHSFCA has hosted state tournaments in which high school teams can participate on a voluntary basis the past few summers, it has not historically favored 7-on-7.
“We would rather coach our own players,” Hillerich said. “We want our high school students to coach our players. And some spring sports coaches feel this could be very damaging to some sports in the spring in Ohio.”
“There are more opportunities for kids to watch soccer and run routes and do things like that, and realistically speaking, I think they have those opportunities now.”
The ban on players participating in 7-on-7 events was brought to attention in late February after Shaker Heights defensive back Trey McNutt was suspended from games this fall for participating in the national tournament in January. McNutt, a four-star recruit, is the top-ranked safety in Ohio, according to Rivals and his 247Sports.
“For the children” McNutt posted on X We shared some reports of OHSAA sanctioning 7-on-7.
“Personally, I would like to have spring practice as an option,” Broome Carroll coach Jeremy McKinney said in a text message. “I'm not originally good at 7-on-7. In fact, I haven't played anything since I took over (as head coach in 2022). I'm planning to play it twice this summer, but in terms of improving my soccer skills. So I think spring practice is more beneficial.
“If 7-on-7 was so beneficial to the development of football, I think that college programs at all levels and professional football organizations would have their respective players do it. Of course, it isn't.”
Hartley coach Brad Burchfield said he supports the offseason addition of 7-on-7.
“Things change, but we love football so the more opportunities people have to play football, the more fun it is always,” he said. “The more opportunities kids have to play sports, love sports, and do more, the better. I don't see it hurting anything. Kids… Try to do what you think is fun and what you find appealing. There is room for everything. Most kids understand that.
“Football is a strange sport. There's only so much you can do because you can't tackle blocks without pads on. Kids run, throw, catch, chase, things like that. I like that. It's 7-on-7. That's good.”
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