NFL Joint Practices: What Teams Learn

Aug 11

2 min read

Updated: 6 hours ago

A joint practice is a scheduled training session between two teams. It gives players opponents with unfamiliar techniques while allowing coaches to control the situations, contact rules and number of repetitions.

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An NFL joint practice is a training camp session in which two teams work against each other before a preseason game. It is more competitive than an ordinary practice because players face unfamiliar schemes and techniques, but it is more controlled than a game because coaches can select the situation, repeat a play, and stop the period for teaching. In 2026, 28 teams are scheduled to participate in at least one joint session.

It is neither an official game nor an open invitation to hit every player. Teams agree on the working format, and quarterbacks are ordinarily protected from being tackled.

Why practice against another team?

Teammates eventually learn each other’s tendencies. An outside opponent presents different releases, pass rush moves and coverage communication. A blocker who has practiced against one familiar move must now solve another.

Coaches can repeatedly test third down, red zone or end of half situations. A preseason game may offer few useful repetitions of a particular scenario; practice can place the ball at the same spot and run the problem again.

For example, a team can test its blitz pickup against pressure looks it does not regularly see from its own defense. The goal is to recognize assignments and communicate, rather than accumulate a practice win total.

Why a practice score can mislead

A one receiver drill does not include the help structure of team coverage. Seven on seven removes the line battle. A sack whistle might end a rep even though spectators continue watching the receiver catch the ball.

Teams also give different groups different workloads. Ten successful reserve reps cannot simply be compared with five starting offense reps. Without the drill rules and personnel, a total of touchdowns or interceptions leaves out essential context.

What to watch

Look for repeated roles, recovery after mistakes and execution against unfamiliar looks. Can the quarterback communicate a protection adjustment? Does a corner handle a receiver’s release without grabbing? Does the return unit maintain its assignments?

Fights reduce the value of the session by removing repetitions and disrupting the agreed practice format. Intensity is useful when it improves the football work.

A strong joint practice adds evidence to a roster decision. It does not replace preseason tape, medical evaluation, meetings or the larger body of practice work.