One of the biggest gains by the NFL Players Association in the new collective bargaining agreement was clearly defined practice rules. Coaches can be fined $100,000 and clubs $250,000 for violations. Here's a look at the new practice rules for the 32 teams in the NFL:
Offseason workout rules
- Limited to nine weeks
- Three phases
Phase one: two weeks; limited to strength and conditioning activities; this is the dead ball period; only strength and conditioning coaches are allowed on the field.
Phase two: three weeks; individual and “perfect play" drills allowed (no offense vs. defense); all coaches are allowed on the field.
Phase three: four weeks; 10 organized team activities; maximum of three OTAs for the first two weeks; maximum of four OTAs for the third or fourth week.
- Fines for violations (in addition to week of lost workouts): coaches, $100,000 for first violations, $250,000 for second; clubs, $250,000 for first violation, $500,000 for second.
Minicamp rules
- Physicals on Monday, but no practice; practices Tuesday-Thursday; day off Friday.
- Maximum of 3 1/2 hours on the field per day.
One practice per day up to 2 ½ hours.
Second practice limited to walk-through activities only.
Exhibition season rules
- Mandatory veteran reporting date no earlier than 15 days prior to the first game.
- First day limited to physicals and meetings.
- Second and third day no pads or contact.
- Only one padded practice per day limited to three hours with the second practice up to the four-hour limit being a walk-thr0ugh.
Regular season/postseason rules
- Limit of 14 padded practices during the regular season, 11 of which must be held during the first 11 weeks (club may hold two padded practices during only one week) with remaining three during the final six weeks.
- One padded practice per week in postseason.
- Padded practices limited to three hours plus a walk-through with position coaches not to exceed 30 minutes.
- Bye weeks – four consecutive days off.
Source: NFLPA summary of main terms of the 2011 collective bargaining agreement.
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