Oklahoma drill

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Wikipedia

The Oklahoma drill[1] is an American football practice technique used to test and train players in confined full contact situations. The technique was developed by Oklahoma Sooners coach Bud Wilkinson.[2] It has many names.[3]

Description

The drill has several variations. The most common involves two players lined up three yards (2.7 m) opposite one another.[3]

Prevalence

Many high school and college teams use the Oklahoma drill as a way to kick off the first day of full-contact practice.[1]

The Oklahoma drill, along with other full-contact drills, was officially banned from NFL team practices in May 2019 following years of declining use and increasing concerns for player safety.[4] Veterans and high-profile NFL players rarely participate in pit drills owing to the higher risk of injury, with many coaches already refusing to permit the drill prior to its ban. A non-contact variant of the drill is sometimes run.[5][6]

Outside football

Oklahoma drills have been used for entertainment purposes, as a type of combat sport.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 Borges, Ron (July 29, 2006). "Today's players don't know the drill". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  2. ↑ Trotter, Jake (August 21, 2010). "OU football and Bud Wilkinson's gift to football: The Oklahoma Drill". NewsOK.com. The Oklahoman. Archived from the original on September 1, 2010.
  3. 1 2 Kendall, Josh (May 29, 2019). "NFL banned Oklahoma drill from practices. Here's why Muschamp still believes in it". The State.
  4. ↑ Florio, Mike (May 22, 2019). "NFL bans certain old-school training-camp drills". Profootballtalk.com. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  5. ↑ Meinke, Kyle (July 29, 2018). "Lions training camp observations, Day 3: Frank Ragnow shines in first padded practice". MLIVE. Advance Local Media LLC. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  6. ↑ Birkett, Dave (July 30, 2018). "Detroit Lions, Matt Patricia keep safety in mind with new Oklahoma drill". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  7. ↑ Goodridge, Harold (March 19, 2024). "Hundreds gathered on Jacksonville Beach before fatal shooting to do 'Oklahoma drills,' but what is that?". WTLV-TV First Coast News. Florida. Retrieved August 28, 2024.