Green Bay Packers Minicamp 2015: What is and isn't allowed in this week's practices

With the Green Bay Packers taking the field for mandatory minicamp this week, it seems like the appropriate time to remind everyone of the rules set forth in the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement on what activities are allowed during these minicamps.

First of all, participation at teams' minicamps is mandatory, as indicated by the name of the event. Unlike Organized Team Activities, which are technically voluntary, teams can fine players for not attending minicamp. However,team do pay for players' transportation to and from the team facilities for minicamp, as well as provide players with a per diem payment.

As far as practices go, they will be similar to those held during OTAs, as no contact is permitted. Here is the exact language from the CBA:

There will be no contact work (e.g., "live" blocking, tackling, pass rushing, bump-and-run) or use of pads (helmets permitted) at minicamps.

Teams may also choose to schedule two-a-day practices during minicamp, with two caveats: the total time of practice cannot exceed 3 1/2 hours, and no one session can be longer than 2 1/2 hours.

Check out all the details in the CBA itself, which is available online. Minicamp rules can be found in Article 22.

For the Packers specifically, there will likely be little difference between their OTA practices over the past three weeks and this week's minicamp. Almost all players have been in attendance for OTAs; eligible rookies have been working on learning the playbook, while veterans are present as stipulated by the clauses in their contracts governing their workout bonuses.

One slight difference is that the Packers have scheduled all of their minicamp practices to be open to the public, rather than the one open practice per week held during OTAs. However, keep in mind that under Mike McCarthy, the team has traditionally skipped one day's minicamp practices in order to hold team-building exercises. In the past, the team has held a dodgeball tournament (in 2012) and gone skeet shooting (in 2013). Last season, however, only the veterans were given the day off, while younger players continued practicing.

Packers' minicamp practices are currently scheduled for June 16, 17, and 18, but according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky, only the practices on the 16th and 18th are listed as open to the public. Practices are scheduled for 10:30 AM local time.