Must-see Seattle Seahawks minicamp: 3 things to know about offseason training

With a new coaching staff, we are getting closer to a brand new season for the Seattle Seahawks. Mike Macdonald and company have one more big off-season training program before training camp, and that’s the mandatory mini-camp.

While some teams opted to end minicamp last week, the Seahawks are one of 22 teams whose minicamps will begin this week. Opening day is today (Tuesday, June 11) and the last day is Thursday, June 13. What are the differences between OTAs and mini camp? Read on and find out!

There are financial consequences for missing the mandatory minicamp

OTAs are voluntary, mandatory minicamp is… mandatory. The Seahawks don’t have any projected tight ends that we know of, so that probably won’t be an issue. However, in the event of an unexcused absence, players may be fined $16,953 for the first day, $33,908 for the second day and $50,855 for the third day. In other words, missing an entire minicamp without a valid reason could result in a fine of over $100,000.

Full contact is still not allowed

As with OTAs, 7v7, 9v7 and 11v11 drills are allowed, but you cannot have full contact and full pads that simulate real play. We won’t see them until the training camp. Here’s the NFLPA’s full explanation of what is and isn’t allowed in Phase 3 of offseason training:

No one-on-one offensive and defensive drills are allowed (i.e., no offensive and defensive line drills on rushing or passing guards, no wingers vs. defensive backs drills, and no one-on-one drills) one special teams drill is allowed, which includes both offense , as well as defense), except that simulated press coverage using hand positioning (vs. jamming) is permitted beyond the 10-yard line during 11-on-11 drills and an associated position within a one-on-one drill (e.g., footwork and releasing the ball (without live contact or jumping). During simulated press response drills, hand contact between a defensive player and the receiver is permitted, provided the defensive player does not obstruct or alter the receiver’s route and no contact occurs on the receiver. live.

The NFL will release a jointly approved video of permitted press coverage and individual drills. In addition to on-field activities permitted during the second phase of the club’s off-season training program, special teams drills (e.g., kicking team vs. kicking team) are permitted, provided no live contact occurs. Team offensive and team defense drills, including all drills listed in Appendix G to this Agreement, are permitted provided that no direct contact occurs. Clubs may require players to wear helmets; players may wear jointly approved protective shirts; No ammunition may be used during the third phase of the Club’s off-season training program or at any mini-camp.

It is worth noting that this particular locking exercise is not full contact.

Players can participate in on-field activities for a maximum of 3.5 hours a day and a maximum of 2.5 hours in one training session.

The media can be present at every training session

The OTAs used a mix of “open to the media” practices and closed-door sessions. The mandatory mini-camp is only three days of training, and the media is on hand during each one, which means we should get fair access to highlights and quotes from both players and coaching staff. The expanded access should give us more insight into the progress the Seahawks have made this offseason.

Watch this episode (I mean, not the literal article) to see Seahawks minicamp coverage throughout the week!