In another sign of college football starting, and on time this fall, the NCAA is reportedly planning to approve a six-week plan to jumpstart the season. The first to report the plan being circulated was Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger.
The first phase is already in place on a lot of campuses, but the timeline looks like the following and could officially be implemented if the NCAA D1 Committee approves the final version it at the next meeting on June 17:
Voluntary and virtual activities
- From June 1 up until 25 days prior to the first permissible preseason practice date, eight hours of voluntary and virtual activities only (already in place at Ohio State and other schools).
Summer Access
- Summer access that includes eight hours of weight training, conditioning, and film review (no more than 2 hours of film review).
- May begin 25 days prior to the first permissible preseason practice date.
Summer Access with walkthroughs and meetings
- May begin 14 calendar days prior to the school’s first permissible preseason practice date.
- Allowable 20 hours of countable athletically related activities (CARA) per week of the following:
- Up to eight hours per week of weight training, conditioning, and film review (no more than two hours of film review per week).
- Up to one hour per day for walkthroughs (no more than six hours per week), that may include the use of a football.
- Up to one hour per day for meetings (no more than six hours per week). May include team meetings, position meetings, 1:1s, etc.
- Two days off will be required during this period.
Preseason
- Begins on the current legislated date (29 days before first contest) and the acclimatization period and number of practices would remain the same.
- Daily and weekly CARA limits begin with the school’s first day of classes or seven days before the first contest, whichever is earlier.
Regular season
- No changes to current FBS rules as it relates to CARA limits (four hours daily, 20 hours weekly.