CORVALLIS - Divine secrets of the gridiron brotherhood are being leaked by the Oregon State football team.

It's an annual ritual early during training camp where the Beavers invite women into the inner sanctums of the program to show them how the game works.

This workshop for women, headed into its fifth year, will be Aug. 15 at the Valley Football Center and Reser Stadium. Typical turnout is about 200 women with more than 130 already registered.

"It's an opportunity to learn basic knowledge and understanding of football," said Nikki Pruett, OSU's director of marketing and fan development. "We've gotten nothing but positive feedback. Most women who started in the beginning, they've come back every single year."

For $45 novices to the game at least 18 years of age are tutored by the coaching staff and special guest speakers for seven hours.

This year a Pacific-10 Conference official will go over game rules and director of operation Dan Van De Riet will explain how he moves the team and support personal across country for away games.

"It gives them knowledge so when they go to a game with their husbands they know what's going on," Pruett said. "Some of the women know nothing about football. Some are moms of former players who want to know more."

Cindy Kuykendall of Tigard attended last year's workshop and plans to be at this year's session. She had three sons play football, two are OSU letterman, but didn't know much about the sport.

She had fun going to games and played cheerleader, but didn't know the appropriate time to cheer. So her husband encouraged her to attend the workshop.

"I enjoyed it," Kuykendall said. "It was very informative. The $45 is well worth it. And now I appreciate it more to see what all they do for our entertainment."

Last year Kuykendall learned how the radio broadcast works, and what it takes to feed the players. She was especially impressed with how the executive chief Raul Vera tries to offer the most nutritious foods to fuel the players.

The highlight of the workshop is the last two hours. That's when the coaches demonstrate how offensive and defense plays are run.

It's Football 101 explaining what each position is responsible for, and what happens in a play. The women are taken into the stadium and lined up as teams for a better visual.

That popular change started last year. It was just chalkboard and video sessions the first three years.

"The first thought was to be more hands on, so we do it on the field," coordinator of support services Gary Beck said. "We run them through our pregame and warmup drills. The coaches explain what we want to accomplish in every drill. We just want them to know what we are doing and what the players are doing."

Players come out to help run the drills and throw passes to participants. Kuykendall enjoyed that the most.

"I admire those boys for doing this for a bunch of old ladies," Kuykendall said. "It's very family oriented there. They don't have to do that, but they do. It will take a couple more years, but I'm getting better at the goal (of the game) and what happens on each down."

Specific aspects of offense are covered such as pass protection, run blocking and how the fly sweep and the inside zone run compliment each other.

Man and zone pass defense are taught, pointing out reasons for the defenses.

This year the screen pass offense and defense, and blitzes will be demonstrated. If they have time part of the kicking game will be addressed.

"We try to use terminology they hear on TV, and hear in discussion about football," Beck said. "It's very basic, but hopefully it will give them a better understand what those terms mean. It's an informative day to understanding the behind scenes and the inner workings of Oregon State football."