So what is an Organized Team Activity (OTA), exactly?
They may vary from team-to-team, but generally speaking an OTA is essentially a voluntary offseason practice. But it’s not the same type of practice teams conduct during training camp or during the regular season. First off, practices during training camp and the regular season are not voluntary; OTAs are voluntary. Also, OTAs focus on orientating players to the schemes and plays the team will use during the regular season.
A standard OTA schedule may allow time for the following…
-- Breakfast and lunch
-- Weight lifting
-- Meetings (special teams, team, position, rookie orientation)
-- On-field practice
Additionally, there are occasionally voids in the schedule when players can use discretionary time to rest, watch film with coaches, meet with the player development staff, etc.
During Phase 3 of the offseason program, the rules established within the Collective Bargaining Agreement permit a team to conduct a series of 10 voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTAs). The team may conduct a maximum of 3 days of OTAs during each of the first two weeks of Phase 3 and a maximum of four days of OTAs during either the 3rd or 4th week of Phase 3, with the mandatory mini-camp to be held during the other week.
The Vikings have decided to schedule their OTAs as such:OTAs 1-3: May 28-30
*The Vikings will hold their 8th annual Playground Build following OTA #3 on Thursday, May 30, set to take place at Howe School in South Minneapolis
OTAs 4-6: June 4-6
OTAs 7-10: June 10-13
Mandatory Mini-Camp: June 18-20
