OTA's

[joecrisp]

OTAs-- or "Organized Team Activities"-- are essentially voluntary offseason practices, and their format is very similar to the minicamp practice format, with the only real difference being that minicamp practices are mandatory. Teams are allowed 14 days of 'OTAs'. Hitting or "full-contact" of any kind is prohibited during all offseason practices, including minicamps. That includes live blocking, tackling, bump-and-run and rushing the passer.

Basically, there is contact, as blockers and defenders engage each other, but there's no real 'hitting' per se. It's essentially flag football, without the flags. It gives the offense and defense an opportunity to run plays at something near full-speed without as much threat of injury to the players.