7-on-7 High School Football Camps Continue to Grow in Popularity

Chattanooga-(WDEF) It almost feels like high school football has already started in our area because there are 7-on-7 games everywhere.
7-on-7 has certainly exploded in recent years, and coaches believe this gridiron skills game in the month of July is a great lead-in to the start of fall practice.
Baylor hosted their annual River Rumble 7-on-7 camp Friday.
Red Raiders coach Phil Massey explains the name of the game for 7-on-7.
Said Massey:”Well 7-on-7 is basically taking from an offensive and defensive perspective trying to cover your passing game. It’s a full passing tournament. There’s no running the ball. Quarterback has four seconds to throw, and obviously with your defense you are working on your coverages, whether it’s a zone or man coverages.”
Heritage coach E-K Slaughter says 7-on-7 has grown out of necessity.
Said Slaughter:”The focus on the quarterback has been a lot more now. You’ve got to develop that kid. It’s not just three yards and a cloud of dust for most teams anymore.”
Said Massey:”I think the game slows down too. Not only do you gain the confidence out here, but it begins to slow down because you are starting to recognize things a little bit quicker.”
Said CCS head coach Mark Mariakis:”Usually at practice when we are going against the scout team, you know there’s a reason why it’s a scout team. They’re probably not going to be at the high level we are going to face when we play the Baylor’s, the McCallie’s, and Notre Dame, and those teams. So it’s good to go out here and get somebody else’s number ones.”
Football is a physical game, but there are no pads, and no hitting in 7-on-7.
Said Slaughter:”You’re not going to get better physically out here. You’re going to get better. Your feet are going to get better. Your recognition. Your cognitive awareness for situations. Down and distance. What the coverage is. What you are giving up. What you’ve got to try to stop. We do it more for the mental piece than anything.”
Reporter:”If you ran the triple option or veer, would you still do something like this?”
Said Slaughter:”I would. For our defense. For our defense because you are not see a triple option or veer. We are going to see people slinging the ball.”