The Miami Dolphins opened their first round of organized team activities, or OTAs, on Monday as the team progressed into phase three of their 2026 offseason training program. The first two phases of the program are focused on film work and individual drills. In phase three, the team can start working on offense versus defense drills and having players practice in helmets and elbow/knee pads.
The Dolphins have nine days of OTAs scheduled out of a possible 10 days. They also have their mandatory minicamp
scheduled during this phase, the only event everyone must attend or risk being fined.
Offseason Training Program Phase 3 Rules
The full rules for phase three are:
The final four weeks of the offseason training program include up to 10 days of OTAs spread over three weeks. No live contact is allowed during this phase, but this is the first time teams can work offense versus defense in 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 team drills.
Restrictions on the schedule include teams being allowed three OTA days during each of the first two weeks, with a one-time exception for a fourth day in one of the weeks, but phase two rules (individual/group instruction, walk-throughs, and no offense versus defense) apply to that day.
Helmets are permitted during phase three, as are knee and elbow pads.
Phase three allows for up to six hours of work per day.
The mandatory minicamp is part of phase three, with the same on-field rules applying. Teams may have the players in the facilities for up to 10 hours per day over the three days of on-field minicamp work, but will not exceed 24 total hours for the camp.
Minicamp is technically a week, beginning on Monday and running through Friday. Monday is limited to physicals with no practices allowed. Tuesday through Thursday, teams are allowed to hold two practices each day for a total of 3.5 hours on the field, with the second practice limited to a walk-through. Friday is a mandatory off day for each team.
Teams with new head coaches are allowed an additional voluntary minicamp during phase three. The voluntary minicamp had to be held prior to the NFL Draft. The Dolphins used their voluntary minicamp option this year on April 21-23.
Dolphins OTA and Minicamp schedule
OTAs:
- May 18-19
- May 21
- May 26-27
- May 29
- June 8-9
- June 11
Mandatory Minicamp:
- June 2-4
