OHSAA SPORTS REMOVES 7-ON-7 RESTRICTIONS FOR OHIO ATHLETES, NOW PERMITS COMPETITION BEFORE AND AFTER HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASONS
Amid a debate that has gone on for years in Ohio high school football circles, the Ohio High School Athletic Association is lifting 7-on-7 restrictions for Ohio prep athletes.
On Friday, the OHSAA announced 7-on-7 competition is now permitted any time before or after a high school athlete's football season with the exception of a 28-day no-contact window after their prep season ends.
Under previous guidelines, 7-on-7 competitions were not permitted until May 15. The OHSAA Board of Directors unanimously approved the change.
“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,” OHSAA executive director Doug Ute said in a statement. “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.”
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