Monday, August 31, 2015
Compliance Tip of the Week – Countable Athletically Related Activities First Week of School – Out-ofSeason (Eight Hour Weeks)
The first day of school is Wednesday, September 2. Teams that are out-of-season may not participate in
countable athletically related activities (CARA) prior to September 2. Nonathletically related meetings
(e.g., compliance, academic, medical) are permissible at any time prior to the first permissible practice
date.
Once classes begin, CARA is limited to eight hours per week of weight training, conditioning and
individual skill instruction. Not more than two hours per week may be spent on individual skill
workouts. Skill instruction may not be publicized and may not be conducted in view of a general public
audience. Student-athletes must receive two days off per week from all countable athletically related
activities.
Not more than four student-athletes may be involved in skill related instruction with coaches at any one
time in any facility from the first day of classes to September 14. More than four student-athletes may
be involved in skill instruction beginning September 15 (for those teams that are still out-of-season).
Participation in countable athletically related activities is prohibited during vacation periods; therefore,
teams that are out-of-season may not participate in any required activities on Labor Day.
Student-athletes may participate in voluntary activities at any time. Please note that coaches and
noncoaching staff members may not observe or participate in voluntary activities. A voluntary activity
becomes countable when done in the presence of a coach, regardless of whether the student-athlete
requests the instruction. In order for the activity to be considered voluntary, the student-athlete may
not be required to report back to a coach any information related to the activity. No athletics
department staff member who observes the activity (e.g., strength coach, trainer) may report back to
the coach any information related to the activity. Student-athletes may not be rewarded or punished
for choosing to participate or not to participate in the activity.
The safety exception is applicable to gymnastics, rowing, swimming and diving, track and field (field
events, jumping hurdles and jumping element of the steeplechase) and wrestling. A coach may be
present during voluntary individual workouts when the student-athlete uses equipment in that sport.
The coach may provide safety or skill instruction but may not conduct the individual’s workout.