COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced Friday afternoon that football sevens will be allowed anytime before or after the football season, except for the 28-day no-contact period immediately following the season.
Previously, 7-on-7 competition was not allowed until May 15th. Full practice and hitting during 7-on-7 play is still not allowed, and the only equipment allowed is helmets and cleats.
7-on-7 soccer does not include five inside linemen and uses flagging or touching the ball carrier rather than a tackle to end a play.
The OHSAA Board of Directors met earlier this week and unanimously approved changes to General Sports Rule 7 that would place soccer under the same offseason regulations as other team sports. Football has always had separate, more restrictive rules for the offseason.
The change is effective immediately and student-athletes who competed in 7-on-7 competition this winter will not be subject to penalties.
“We've been talking about a 7-on-7 regulation for soccer for some time, but it would treat soccer like any other team sport and essentially give soccer players the same opportunities as their peers in other team sports. “We believe that this should be granted,” the OHSAA said. Executive Director Doug Ute said in a statement. “Most other states already allow it, so there are more situations in which Ohio student-athletes are forced to miss out on winter and spring opportunities due to state regulations. Hitting is still allowed during the offseason. “However, we would like to emphasize that this change will expand what football players can do outside of the season.”
This change means that before May 15, soccer players from the same school team can play together in 7-on-7 competitions, up from a limit of seven soccer players on the same school team; is gone. Players or coaches can participate.
There are no changes to the current regulations after May 15, and there is no limit to the number of players from the same school team who can compete together in 7-on-7 competition.
Additionally, from May 15 to July 31, 13 days of coaching above the seven player limit will be allowed. During this period, contact and wearing of equipment other than helmets and cleats will continue to be prohibited.
High school football instruction in Ohio officially begins on August 1st, with the season opening the week of August 19th.
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