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Bama News
NCAA approves modified football ‘training camp’ model
Walk-thrus can start July 24; regular practice Aug. 7
The NCAA Division I Football Oversight Committee on Thursday announced the approval of a modified “training camp” model for the 2020 season, including walkthroughs to begin in late July.
Because most programs had little or no spring practice due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, schools will be allowed to begin full-squad activities at an earlier date than normal. According to the NCAA’s announcement, the new policies assume local and state health policies allow for football activities.
“This is the culmination of a significant amount of collaboration in our effort to find the best solution for Division I football institutions,” said Shane Lyons, chair of the committee and director of athletics at West Virginia. “Our student-athletes, conference commissioners, coaches and health and safety professionals helped mold the model we are proposing.”
If schools have their first regular-season game scheduled for Sept. 5, teams could hold mandatory weight training, conditioning and film review for up to eight hours per week from July 13-23. No more than two of those hours could be used for film review.
From July 24-Aug. 6, athletes can participate in up to 20 hours per week (but no more than four hours per day) of “countable athletically related activities.” Those activities can include up to eight hours of weight training and conditioning, up to six hours of walk-throughs using a football and up to six hours of meetings (film review, team meetings, position meetings, one-on-one meetings, etc.).
Practice would begin Aug. 7 as originally scheduled. That includes a five-day “acclimatization period,” followed by 25 on-field practices.
“Given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across the country, we believe this model provides institutions and their student-athletes flexibility to prepare for the upcoming season,” Lyons said.
College football players began returning to campus for voluntary workouts this month. Those activities cannot include direct supervision by on-field coaches.
