PEMBROKE — Tightening their chinstraps for the first time since a 21-7 win over North Greenville in November, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke football team opened spring practice Tuesday.

Tuesday’s non-contact drills were the first of two NCAA-mandated helmet-only practices. The Braves will have another two-hour practice on Thursday before working out in full pads March 9.

UNCP head coach Pete Shinnick said this year’s bunch was excited to get back on the field and play football again after a three-month hiatus.

“It feels great to get back out there,” Shinnick said. “We are finally able to look at our guys in helmets and see where our off-season conditioning is at. It looks like our guys are ready to play.”

Tuesday’s practice included individual workouts on offense, defense and special teams and a 10-minute stretch period led by strength and conditioning coach Daniel Roose. Drills concluded with a 30-minute walk-through with the Braves’ first and second team offense.

Shinnick reiterated conditioning and overall team improvement — while remaining injury free — being the keys in spring practice. He said the Braves must get better in all facets to repeat last season’s success with a more challenging schedule that begins against regional foe Fayetteville State on Labor Day weekend.

“Our guys aren’t satisfied with what happened last year and that’s good,” Shinnick said, referring to the Braves’ 9-1 record. “We have a challenging schedule this season and our guys will need to improve on the work we started. Not improving will get us beat.”

The Braves will hold 15 practice sessions through April 2, when workouts conclude with the third annual Black and Gold Spring Game. UNCP also will hold scrimmages on March 21 and March 28. Both practices will at 9:30 a.m.

All spring practice drills are open to the public.