It may be the middle of summer, but the North Royalton High School football team is getting ready for the 2016 regular season.
At this time of year, the Bears and other high school teams across the state of Ohio are participating in what’s called 7-on-7 practices. The only players not on the field for these practices are both the offensive and defensive lines. It gives offenses a chance to work on their pass plays while the defense gets to work on their pass defense schemes.
Recently, North Royalton held a 7-on-7 scrimmage at “The Rock” against teams from Strongsville and Revere High Schools.
North Royalton head football coach, Nick Ciulli, says the 7-on-7s are valuable for both the players and his coaching staff, “We learn where we’re at in implementing our system. Do we have to back off or can we add more? It all depends on how they (the players) are picking it up. On defense, do we line up right against different formations? We’re good when we line up against ourselves. We know it. Now, we’re playing against different teams and they have different looks. Lastly, do the quarterbacks make the right reads?”
During this 7-on-7 practice, Coach Ciulli spent a great deal of time talking with Christian Robinson and other quarterbacks about making the right read when they are running the offense.
“When you’re doing it (running the offense) it’s like a whirlwind. When he (Christian) is standing with me and another guy is doing it, we can look at specific things. The blackboard can help, but it’s so much different when you see it in motion.”
In previous years, North Royalton has only participated in two 7-on-7 practices. But, this year, Coach Ciulli has added a third. “We have some young guys that I want to take a look at, especially with the quarterbacks. I want them to get a look at the speed of the game and looking at defenses. Against our defense we’re exact because we see it all the time,” said Ciulli.
While coaches get a “baseline” reading on their players, there are some aspects of the game that they can’t measure in these practices. For example, the players wear shorts, shirts and helmets in 7-on-7s, but not shoulder pads.
“The game totally changes when you put pads on. I would like to see the pads on during these 7-on-7s because it would protect the kids from injury and secondly, hitting would not and should not be allowed,” said Ciulli.
The next big date for the Bears will be August 1; that’s when training camp begins. “We have three weeks of that and two scrimmages. Then school begins and the season starts and before you know it, the season’s over,” said Ciulli.
The regular season starts for the Bears at home on Friday, August 26, against North Ridgeville. Kickoff is at 7 o’clock.
By JOE JASTRZEMSKI
Contributing Writer