NCAA Rules – Strength and Conditioning
Coaching Activities
11.7.1.1.1 Countable Coach.
An athletics department staff member must count against coaching limits as soon as the
individual participates (in any manner) in the coaching of the intercollegiate team in
practice, games or organized activities directly related to that sport, including any
organized staff activity directly related to the sport.
11.7.1.1.1.1 Non coaching Activities.
Institutional staff members involved in non coaching activities (e.g., administrative
assistants, academic counselors) do not count in the institution's coaching limitations,
provided such individuals are not identified as coaches, do not engage in any on- or offfield coaching activities (e.g., attending meetings involving coaching activities, analyzing
videotape or film involving the institution's or an opponent's team), and are not involved
in any off-campus recruitment of prospective student-athletes or scouting of opponents.
A noncoaching staff member with sport-specific responsibilities may not participate with
or observe student-athletes in the staff member's sport who are engaged in non organized
voluntary athletically related activities (e.g., pick-up games). (Adopted: 1/16/93;
Revised: 1/10/95, 12/13/05, 4/27/06 effective 8/1/06)
11.7.2.1.1 Weight or Strength Coach.
A weight (strength and conditioning) coach may conduct flexibility, warm-up and
physical conditioning activities prior to any game and prior to or during any practice or
other organized activities without being included in the limitations on number of coaches.
Conduct of Athletic Staff
Buckley Amendment
An institution is not permitted to disclose information regarding a student-athlete’s
1. Results of NCAA, Conference, or institutional drug tests;
2. Academic Transcripts from any institution including the University at Albany
3. Pre-college test scores and information relating to eligibility of non-standard
testing (e.g. learning disabilities);
4. Records concerning financial aid; and
5. Any other papers or information pertaining to his/her NCAA eligibility
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10.01.1 Honesty and Sportsmanship.
Individuals employed by (or associated with) a member institution to administer, conduct
or coach intercollegiate athletics and all participating student-athletes shall act with
honesty and sportsmanship at all times so that intercollegiate athletics as a whole, their
institutions and they, as individuals, shall represent the honor and dignity of fair play and
the generally recognized high standards associated with wholesome competitive sports.
10.1 UNETHICAL CONDUCT
Unethical conduct by a prospective or enrolled student-athlete or a current or former
institutional staff member (e.g., coach, professor, tutor, teaching assistant, student
manager, student trainer) may include, but is not limited to, the following: (Revised:
1/10/90, 1/9/96, 2/22/01)
(a) Refusal to furnish information relevant to an investigation of a possible violation of an
NCAA regulation when requested to do so by the NCAA or the individual's institution;
(b) Knowing involvement in arranging for fraudulent academic credit or false transcripts
for a prospective or an enrolled student-athlete;
(c) Knowing involvement in offering or providing a prospective or an enrolled studentathlete an improper inducement or extra benefit or improper financial aid; (Revised:
1/9/96)
(d) Knowingly furnishing the NCAA or the individual's institution false or misleading
information concerning the individual's involvement in or knowledge of matters relevant
to a possible violation of an NCAA regulation;
(e) Receipt of benefits by an institutional staff member for facilitating or arranging a
meeting between a student-athlete and an agent, financial advisor or a representative of
an agent or advisor (e.g., "runner"); (Adopted: 1/9/96, Revised: 8/4/05)
(f) Knowing involvement in providing a banned substance or impermissible supplement
to student-athletes, or knowingly providing medications to student-athletes contrary to
medical licensure, commonly accepted standards of care in sports medicine practice, or
state and federal law. This provision shall not apply to banned substances for which the
student-athlete has received a medical exception per Bylaw 31.2.3.4; however, the
substance must be provided in accordance with medical licensure, commonly accepted
standards of care and state or federal law; (Adopted: 8/4/05, Revised: 5/6/08)
(g) Failure to provide complete and accurate information to the NCAA, the NCAA
Eligibility Center or an institution's admissions office regarding an individual's academic
record (e.g., schools attended, completion of coursework, grades and test scores);
(Adopted: 4/27/06, Revised: 10/23/07)
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(h) Fraudulence or misconduct in connection with entrance or placement examinations;
(Adopted: 4/27/06)
(i) Engaging in any athletics competition under an assumed name or with intent to
otherwise deceive; or (Adopted: 4/27/06)
(j) Failure to provide complete and accurate information to the NCAA, the NCAA
Eligibility Center or the institution's athletics department regarding an individual's
amateur status. (Adopted: 1/8/07, Revised: 5/9/07)
10.2 KNOWLEDGE OF USE OF BANNED DRUGS
A member institution's athletics department staff members or others employed by the
intercollegiate athletics program who have knowledge of a student-athlete's use at any
time of a substance on the list of banned drugs, as set forth in Bylaw 31.2.3.4, shall
follow institutional procedures dealing with drug abuse or shall be subject to disciplinary
or corrective action as set forth in Bylaw 19.5.2.2.
10.4 DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Prospective or enrolled student-athletes found in violation of the provisions of this
regulation shall be ineligible for further intercollegiate competition, subject to appeal to
the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for restoration of eligibility. (See
Bylaw 10.3.2 for sanctions of student-athletes involved in violations of 10.3.)
Institutional staff members found in violation of the provisions of this regulation shall be
subject to disciplinary or corrective action as set forth in Bylaw 19.5.2.2 of the NCAA
enforcement procedures, whether such violations occurred at the certifying institution or
during the individual's previous employment at another member institution. (Revised:
1/10/90, 4/27/00 effective 8/1/00, 4/26/07 effective 8/1/07)
CONDUCT OF ATHLETICS PERSONNEL
11.1.1 Standards of Honesty and Sportsmanship.
Individuals employed by or associated with a member institution to administer, conduct
or coach intercollegiate athletics shall act with honesty and sportsmanship at all times so
that intercollegiate athletics as a whole, their institutions and they, as individuals,
represent the honor and dignity of fair play and the generally recognized high standards
associated with wholesome competitive sports. (See Bylaw 10 for more specific ethicalconduct standards.)
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11.1.2 Responsibility for Violations of NCAA Regulations.
Institutional staff members found in violation of NCAA regulations shall be subject to
disciplinary or corrective action as set forth in the provisions of the NCAA enforcement
procedures, whether such violations occurred at the certifying institution or during the
individual's previous employment at another member institution.
11.1.3 Use of Association Name or Affiliation.
Staff members of member institutions and others serving on the Association's committees
or acting as consultants shall not use, directly or by implication, the Association's name
or their affiliation with the Association in the endorsement of products or services
11.1.4 Representing Individuals in Marketing Athletics Ability/Reputation.
Staff members of the athletics department of a member institution shall not represent,
directly or indirectly, any individual in the marketing of athletics ability or reputation to
an agent, a professional sports team or a professional sports organization, including
receiving compensation for arranging commercial endorsements or personal appearances
for former student-athletes, except as specified in Bylaw 11.1.4.1, and shall not receive
compensation or gratuities of any kind, directly or indirectly, for such services. (Revised:
1/10/92, 1/11/94)
11. 11.1.5 Use of Tobacco Products.
The use of tobacco products is prohibited by all game personnel (e.g., coaches, trainers,
managers and game officials) in all sports during practice and competition. Uniform
penalties (as determined by the applicable rules-making committees and sports
committees with rules-making responsibilities) shall be established for such use.
(Adopted: 1/11/94 effective 8/1/94; Revised: 1/10/95, 1/14/97 effective 8/1/97)
11.2.2 Athletically Related Income.
Contractual agreements, including letters of appointment, between a full-time or parttime athletics department staff member (excluding secretarial or clerical personnel) and
an institution shall include the stipulation that the staff member is required to provide a
written detailed account annually to the president or chancellor for all athletically related
income and benefits from sources outside the institution. In addition, the approval of all
athletically related income and benefits shall be consistent with the institution's policy
related to outside income and benefits applicable to all full-time or part-time employees.
Sources of such income shall include, but are not limited to, the following: (Revised:
1/10/92, 1/11/94, 1/10/95, 4/26/01 effective 8/1/01, 3/8/06)
(a) Income from annuities;
(b) Sports camps;
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(c) Housing benefits (including preferential housing arrangements);
(d) Country club memberships;
(e) Complimentary ticket sales;
(f) Television and radio programs; and
(g) Endorsement or consultation contracts with athletics shoe, apparel or equipment
manufacturers.
11.3.1 Control of Employment and Salaries.
The institution, as opposed to any outside source, shall remain in control of determining
who is to be its employee and the amount of salary the employee is to receive within the
restrictions specified by NCAA legislation
11.3.2.1 Bona Fide Outside Employment.
A staff member may earn income in addition to the institutional salary by performing
services for outside groups
11.3.2.2 Supplemental Pay.
An outside source is prohibited from paying or regularly supplementing an athletics
department staff member's annual salary and from arranging to supplement that salary for
an unspecified achievement. This includes the donation of cash from outside sources to
the institution earmarked for the staff member's salary or supplemental income. It would
be permissible for an outside source to donate funds to the institution to be used as
determined by the institution, and it would be permissible for the institution, at its sole
discretion, to use such funds to pay or supplement a staff member's salary.
11.3.2.3 Bonuses for Specific and Extraordinary Achievement.
An institution may permit an outside individual, group or agency to supplement an
athletics department staff member's salary with a direct cash payment in recognition of a
specific and extraordinary achievement (e.g., contribution during career to the athletics
department of the institution, winning a conference or national championship, number of
games or meets won during career/season), provided such a cash supplement is in
recognition of a specific achievement and is in conformance with institutional policy
11.3.2.4 Noninstitutional Publications That Report on Athletics Program.
Athletics department staff members shall not endorse (either orally or in writing) any
noninstitutional publication dedicated primarily to reporting on an institution's athletics
activities, except as provided in this section, and shall not write for such publications.
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11.3.2.5 Recruiting Service Consultants.
Institutional athletics department staff members may not endorse, serve as consultants or
participate on advisory panels for any recruiting or scouting service involving prospective
student-athletes.
Gambling
10.3 Sports Wagering Activities
The following individuals shall not knowingly participate in sports wagering activities or
provide information to individuals involved in or associated with any type of sports
wagering activities concerning intercollegiate, amateur or professional athletics
competition:
(a) Staff members of an institution's athletics department;
(b) Nonathletics department staff members who have responsibilities within or over the
athletics department (e.g., chancellor or president, faculty athletics representative,
individual to whom athletics reports);
(c) Staff members of a conference office; and
(d) Student-athletes.
10.3.1 Scope of Application.
The prohibition against sports wagering applies to any institutional practice or any
competition (intercollegiate, amateur or professional) in a sport in which the Association
conducts championship competition, in bowl subdivision football and in emerging sports
for women.
10.3.2 Sanctions.
The following sanctions for violations of Bylaw 10.3 shall apply: (Adopted: 4/27/00
effective 8/1/00, Revised: 4/26/07 effective 8/1/07)
(a) A student-athlete who engages in activities designed to influence the outcome of an
intercollegiate contest or in an effort to affect win-loss margins ("point shaving") or who
participates in any sports wagering activity involving the student-athlete's institution shall
permanently lose all remaining regular-season and postseason eligibility in all sports.
(Revised: 4/26/07 effective 8/1/07)
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(b) A student-athlete who participates in any sports wagering activity through the
Internet, a bookmaker or a parlay card shall be ineligible for all regular-season and
postseason competition for a minimum of a period of one year from the date of the
institution's determination that a violation occurred and shall be charged with the loss of a
minimum of one season of eligibility. If the student-athlete is determined to have been
involved in a later violation of any portion of Bylaw 10.3, the student-athlete shall
permanently lose all remaining regular-season and postseason eligibility in all sports.
Agents / Professional Teams
12.3.1 General Rule.
An individual shall be ineligible for participation in an intercollegiate sport if he or she ever has agreed
(orally or in writing) to be represented by an agent for the purpose of marketing his or her athletics ability
or reputation in that sport. Further, an agency contract not specifically limited in writing to a sport or
particular sports shall be deemed applicable to all sports, and the individual shall be ineligible to participate
in any sport.
12.3.1.1 Representation for Future Negotiations.
An individual shall be ineligible per Bylaw 12.3.1 if he or she enters into a verbal or written agreement
with an agent for representation in future professional sports negotiations that are to take place after the
individual has completed his or her eligibility in that sport.
12.3.1.2 Benefits from Prospective Agents.
An individual shall be ineligible per Bylaw 12.3.1 if he or she (or his or her relatives or
friends) accepts transportation or other benefits from: (Revised: 1/14/97)
(a) Any person who represents any individual in the marketing of his or her athletics
ability. The receipt of such expenses constitutes compensation based on athletics skill and
is an extra benefit not available to the student body in general; or
(b) An agent, even if the agent has indicated that he or she has no interest in representing
the student-athlete in the marketing of his or her athletics ability or reputation and does
not represent individuals in the student-athlete's sport. (Adopted: 1/14/97)
12.2.1.2 Tryout After Enrollment.
After initial full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual who has eligibility remaining
may try out with a professional athletics team (or participate in a combine including that
team) at any time, provided the individual does not miss class. The individual may
receive actual and necessary expenses in conjunction with one 48-hour tryout per
professional team (or a combine including that team). The 48-hour tryout period shall
begin at the time the individual arrives at the tryout location. At the completion of the
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48-hour period, the individual must depart the location of the tryout immediately in order
to receive return transportation expenses. A tryout may extend beyond 48 hours if the
individual self-finances additional expenses, including return transportation. A selffinanced tryout may be for any length of time, provided the individual does not miss
class.
Recruiting
13.1 CONTACTS AND EVALUATIONS
Recruiting contacts (per Bylaw 13.02.3) and telephone calls by institutional staff
members or representatives of the institution's athletics interests are subject to the
provisions set forth in this bylaw. (Revised: 1/10/91 effective 7/1/91, 6/13/08)
13.1.2 Permissible Recruiters.
13.1.2.1 General Rule.
All in-person, on- and off-campus recruiting contacts with a prospective student-athlete
or the prospective student-athlete's relatives or legal guardian(s) shall be made only by
authorized institutional staff members. Such contact, as well as correspondence and
telephone calls, by representatives of an institution's athletics interests is prohibited
except as otherwise permitted in this section. Violations of this bylaw involving
individuals other than a representative of an institution's athletics interests shall be
considered institutional violations per Constitution 2.8.1; however, such violations shall
not affect the prospective student-athlete's eligibility. (Revised: 8/5/04
13.1.2.3 General Restrictions -- Staff Members and Governing Board.
The following are additional restrictions that apply to an institution's staff members and
governing board. Violations of this bylaw shall be considered institutional violations per
Constitution 2.8.1; however, such violations shall not affect the prospective studentathlete's eligibility. (Revised: 4/27/00)
(a) Institutional Staff Members -- Off-Campus Contacts. Only those coaches
permitted to recruit off campus as specified in Bylaw 11.7 may contact prospective
student-athletes off campus. Institutional staff members (e.g., faculty members) may
contact prospective student-athletes for recruiting purposes in all sports, on campus, or
within 30 miles of campus during the prospective student-athlete's official visit. (Revised:
1/10/91 effective 8/1/91, 4/28/05, 5/26/06)
(b) Board of Governors/Regents. Recruiting contacts on or off campus between a
member of the institution's board of governors (or regents) and a prospective studentathlete are not permissible.
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13.1.2.4 Other Restrictions, Athletics Representatives.
The following are additional restrictions that apply to athletics representatives:
(a) Telephone Conversation. An athletics representative of a member institution may
speak to a prospective student-athlete via the telephone only if the prospective studentathlete initiates the telephone conversation and the call is not for recruiting purposes.
Under such circumstances, the representative must refer questions about the institution's
athletics program to the athletics department staff;
(b) Observing Prospective Student-Athlete's Contest. An athletics representative may
view a prospective student-athlete's athletics contest on his or her own initiative, subject
to the understanding that the athletics representative may not contact the prospective
student-athlete on such occasions;
(c) Evaluation of Prospective Student-Athlete. An athletics representative may not
contact a prospective student-athlete's coach, principal or counselor in an attempt to
evaluate the prospective student-athlete; and
(d) Visiting Prospective Student-Athlete's Institution. An athletics representative may
not visit a prospective student-athlete's educational institution to pick up film/videotape
or transcripts pertaining to the evaluation of the prospective student-athlete's academic
eligibility or athletics ability.
13.1.2.3 a) Institutional Staff Members -- Off-Campus Contacts. Only those coaches
permitted to recruit off campus as specified in Bylaw 11.7 may contact prospective
student-athletes off campus. Institutional staff members (e.g., faculty members) may
contact prospective student-athletes for recruiting purposes in all sports, on campus, or
within 30 miles of campus during the prospective student-athlete's official visit.
13.02.14 Telephone Calls.
All electronically transmitted human voice exchange (including videoconferencing and
videophones) shall be considered telephone calls. (Adopted: 1/10/95; Revised: 1/9/96
effective 8/1/96, 1/14/97, 4/27/00 effective 8/1/00, 9/6/00, 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04,
4/26/07 effective 8/1/07)
13.1.3.4.1 Institutional Coaching Staff Members -- General Rule.
All telephone calls made to and received from a prospective student-athlete (or the
prospective student-athlete's parents, legal guardians or coaches) must be made and
received by the head coach or one or more of the assistant coaches who count toward the
numerical limitations in Bylaw 11.7.4 (see Bylaw 11.7.1.2). In bowl subdivision football
and women's rowing, such telephone calls also may be made and received by a graduate
assistant coach, provided the coach has successfully completed the coaches' certification
examination per Bylaw 11.5.1.1
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13.1.3.4.1.2 Exception – Non coaching Staff Member -- After National
Letter of Intent Signing or Other Written Commitment.
After the calendar day on which a prospective student-athlete signs a National Letter of
Intent, a non coaching institutional staff member may make telephone calls to or receive
telephone calls from the prospective student-athlete (or the prospective student-athlete's
parents or legal guardians). For an institution not using the National Letter of Intent in a
particular sport, or for a prospective student-athlete who is not eligible to sign a National
Letter of Intent (e.g., four-year college transfer), a non coaching institutional staff
member may make telephone calls to or receive telephone calls from a prospective
student-athlete (or the prospective student-athlete's parents or legal guardians) after the
calendar day on which the prospective student-athlete signs the institution's written offer
of admission and/or financial aid
13.1.3.5.1.1 Prospective Student-Athlete Initiates Call.
An athletics representative of a member institution may speak to a prospective studentathlete via the telephone only if the prospective student-athlete initiates the telephone
conversation and the call is not for recruiting purposes. Under such circumstances, the
representative must refer questions about the institution's athletics program to the
athletics department staff
13.2.6 Academic Support Services/Use of Training-Room Facilities.
A prospective student-athlete who is enrolled in the institution's summer term prior to the
student's initial, full-time enrollment at the certifying institution may be provided
academic support services by the institution and also may use the institution's trainingroom facilities
13.11.1 Prohibited Activities.
A member institution, on its campus or elsewhere, shall not conduct (or have conducted
on its behalf) any physical activity (e.g., practice session or test/tryout) at which one or
more prospective student-athletes (as defined in Bylaw 13.11.1.1) reveal, demonstrate or
display their athletics abilities in any sport except as provided in Bylaws 13.11.2 and
13.11.3.
13.11.1.1 Definition of "Prospective Student-Athlete" for Tryout-Rule
Purposes.
For purposes of the tryout rule, the phrase "prospective student-athlete" shall include any
individual who has started classes for the ninth grade and is not enrolled in the member
institution at the time of the practice or test therein described.
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13.5.2.4 From Airport or Bus or Train Station.
During the official visit, any member of an institution's athletics department staff may
provide ground transportation for a prospective student-athlete and the prospective
student-athlete's parents, relatives or legal guardians between the campus and any bus or
train station or airport. If a prospective student-athlete is transported by a member of the
institution's athletics department from an airport, bus or train station other than the major
airport, bus or train station nearest to the institution, the 48-hour official visit period
begins with the initiation of the ground transportation by the member of the institution's
athletics department staff
13.02.15.1 Official Visit.
An official visit to a member institution by a prospective student-athlete is a visit
financed in whole or in part by the member institution.
13.02.15.2 Unofficial Visit.
An unofficial visit to a member institution by a prospective student-athlete is a visit made
at the prospective student-athlete's own expense. The provision of any expenses or
entertainment valued at more than $100 by the institution or representatives of its
athletics interests shall require the visit to become an official visit, except as permitted in
Bylaws 13.5 and 13.7. (Revised: 2/22/07, 5/9/08)
13.2.1 General Regulation.
An institution's staff member or any representative of its athletics interests shall not be
involved, directly or indirectly, in making arrangements for or giving or offering to give
any financial aid or other benefits to a prospective student-athlete or his or her relatives
or friends, other than expressly permitted by NCAA regulations. Receipt of a benefit by
prospective a student-athlete or his or her relatives or friends is not a violation of NCAA
legislation if it is determined that the same benefit is generally available to the
institution's prospective students or their relatives or friends or to a particular segment of
the student body (e.g., foreign students, minority students) determined on a basis
unrelated to athletics ability.
13.2.1.1 Specific Prohibitions.
Specifically prohibited financial aid, benefits and arrangements include, but are not
limited to, the following:
(a) An employment arrangement for a prospective student-athlete's relatives;
(b) Gift of clothing or equipment;
(c) Cosigning of loans;
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(d) Providing loans to a prospective student-athlete's relatives or friends;
(e) Cash or like items;
(f) Any tangible items, including merchandise;
(g) Free or reduced-cost services, rentals or purchases of any type;
(h) Free or reduced-cost housing;
(i) Use of an institution's athletics equipment (e.g., for a high school all-star game);
(j) Sponsorship of or arrangement for an awards banquet for high school, preparatory
school or two-year-college athletes by an institution, representatives of its athletics
interests or its alumni groups or booster clubs; and
(k) Expenses for academic services (e.g., tutoring, test preparation) to assist in the
completion of initial-eligibility or transfer-eligibility requirements or improvement of the
prospective student-athlete's academic profile in conjunction with a waiver request.
(Adopted: 4/23/08)
Medical Expenses
13.2.7.2 Medical Expenses -- Championship Subdivision Football.
In championship subdivision football, an institution may finance medical expenses
(including rehabilitation and physical therapy expenses) for a prospective student-athlete
who sustains an injury while participating in voluntary summer conditioning activities
that are conducted by an institution's certified strength and conditioning coach, including
a countable coach
13.2.8 Medical Expenses -- Basketball.
In basketball, an institution may finance medical expenses (including rehabilitation and
physical therapy expenses) for a prospective student-athlete who sustains an injury while
participating in voluntary summer workouts conducted by an institution's strength and
conditioning coach with department-wide duties (see Bylaw 13.11.3.9). (Adopted:
4/29/04, Revised
13.2.9 Life-Threatening Injury or Illness.
An institution may provide a donation (up to $100) to a charity on behalf of a prospective
student-athlete or may provide other reasonable tokens of support (e.g., flowers) in the
event of the death of the prospective student-athlete or the death or life threatening injury
or illness of a member of the prospective student-athlete's immediate family, provided the
prospective student-athlete has signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) with the
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institution, or for those institutions that do not subscribe to the NLI program, a written
offer of admission and/or financial aid
13.3.2 Banned Drug List and Information about Nutritional Supplements.
13.3.2.1 Report Publication.
The Association's national office annually shall publish the banned drug list and shall
update the list on its Web site (see Bylaw 31.2.3.4). (Adopted: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04,
Revised: 2/10/06)
13.3.2.2 Report Distribution.
Member institutions shall provide to all incoming prospective student-athletes and to
prospective student-athletes' parents the NCAA banned drug list, or the NCAA Web site
address at which the list is located, and information about nutritional supplements (see
Bylaw 31.2.3.4). The information shall be provided at the earliest practical opportunity
(e.g., after the institution's first arranged in-person encounter with the prospective
student-athlete) or upon request; however, in no event shall an institution provide the
information later than July 1 before the prospective student-athlete's initial enrollment at
the institution. For a prospective student-athlete whose recruitment is initiated after July
1, the institution must send the banned drug list and information about nutritional
supplements at the earliest opportunity. Violations of this bylaw shall be considered
institutional violations per Constitution 2.8.1; however, such violations shall not affect
the prospective student-athlete's eligibility
13.11.3.9.1 Mandatory Medical Examination.
Prior to participation in any weight-training or conditioning workouts conducted by an
institution's certified strength and conditioning coach, a prospective student-athlete who
will be a first-time participant shall be required to undergo a medical examination or
evaluation administered or supervised by a physician (e.g., family physician, team
physician). The examination or evaluation must have been administered within six
months prior to participation in any weight-training or conditioning activity
13.11.3.9 Voluntary Summer Conditioning -- Basketball.
In basketball, a prospective student-athlete may engage in voluntary summer workouts
conducted by an institution's strength and conditioning coach with department-wide
duties and may receive workout apparel (on an issuance and retrieval basis), provided he
or she: (Adopted: 4/29/04, 7/20/04, Revised: 1/14/08)
(a) Has signed a National Letter of Intent; or
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(b) Is enrolled in the institution's summer term prior to the student's initial full-time
enrollment at the certifying institution
13.11.3.8.2 Voluntary Summer Conditioning -- Championship Subdivision
Football.
In championship subdivision football, a prospective student-athlete may engage in
voluntary summer workouts conducted by an institution's certified strength and
conditioning coach, including a countable coach, and may receive workout apparel (on an
issuance and retrieval basis), provided he: (Adopted: 4/24/03 effective 5/1/03; Revised:
4/29/04, 5/31/06, 12/15/06, 1/14/08)
(a) Has signed a National Letter of Intent or, for those institutions not using the National
Letter of Intent or in the case of a four-year college prospective student-athlete, the
prospective student-athlete has signed the institution's written offer of admission and/or
financial aid; or
(b) Is enrolled in the institution's summer term prior to the student's initial full-time
enrollment at the certifying institution (see Bylaws 13.2.7.2 and 17.11.6).
13.12.2.3.1 Camp/Clinic Providing Recruiting or Scouting Service.
No athletics department staff member may be employed (either on a salaried or a
volunteer basis) in any capacity by a camp or clinic established, sponsored or conducted
by an individual or organization that provides recruiting or scouting services concerning
prospective student-athletes. This provision does not prohibit an athletics department
staff member from participating in an officiating camp where participants officiate for,
but are not otherwise involved in, a scouting services camp
13.12.2.3.3 Other Noninstitutional Privately Owned Camps/Clinics -Sports Other Than Basketball.
In sports other than basketball, an institution's athletics department personnel may serve
in any capacity (e.g., counselor, guest lecturer, consultant) in a noninstitutional, privately
owned camp or clinic, provided the camp or clinic is operated in accordance with
restrictions applicable to institutional camps (e.g., open to any and all entrants, no free or
reduced admission to or employment of athletics award winners). In football,
participation in such camps/clinics is limited to two periods of 15 consecutive days in the
months of June and July or any calendar week (Sunday through Saturday) that includes
days of those months (e.g., May 28-June 3). The dates of the two 15-day periods must be
on file in the office of the athletics director. In basketball, a coach (or any individual with
basketball-only responsibilities) may not be employed at a noninstitutional privately
owned camp or clinic.
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13.12.2.3.4 Non coaching Athletics Staff Members with Department-Wide
Responsibilities.
A non coaching athletics staff member with department-wide responsibilities may present
an educational session at a noninstitutional, privately owned camp/clinic that is not
operated under the restrictions applicable to institutional camps/clinics, provided the staff
member does not make a recruiting presentation
13.12.2.3.5 Noninstitutional Fundamental Skills Camp/Clinic.
An institution's athletics department personnel may serve in any capacity at a
noninstitutional camp or clinic conducted under the following conditions: (Adopted:
1/13/03)
(a) The camp or clinic is designed to develop fundamental skills in a sport (rather than
refine the abilities of skilled participants in the sport);
(b) The camp or clinic is open to the general public (except for restrictions in age or
number of participants);
(c) The camp or clinic is conducted primarily for educational purposes and does not
include material benefits for the participants (e.g., awards, prizes, merchandise, gifts);
(d) Participants do not receive a recruiting presentation; and
(e) All participants reside in the state in which the camp/clinic is located or within 100
miles of the camp/clinic.
16.02.3 Extra Benefit.
An extra benefit is any special arrangement by an institutional employee or a
representative of the institution's athletics interests to provide a student-athlete or the
student-athlete's relative or friend a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA
legislation. Receipt of a benefit by student-athletes or their relatives or friends is not a
violation of NCAA legislation if it is demonstrated that the same benefit is generally
available to the institution's students or their relatives or friends or to a particular segment
of the student body (e.g., foreign students, minority students) determined on a basis
unrelated to athletics ability
16.5.2(g) Nutritional Supplements. An institution may provide only nonmusclebuilding nutritional supplements to a student-athlete at any time for the purpose of
providing additional calories and electrolytes, provided the supplements do not contain
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any NCAA banned substances. Permissible non muscle-building nutritional supplements
are identified according to the following classes: Carbohydrate/electrolyte drinks, energy
bars, carbohydrate boosters and vitamins and minerals.
16.11.1.5 Occasional Meals.
A student-athlete or the entire team in a sport may receive an occasional meal in the
locale of the institution on infrequent and special occasions from an institutional staff
member. An institutional staff member may provide reasonable local transportation to
student-athletes to attend such meals. A student-athlete may receive an occasional family
home meal from a representative of athletics interests on infrequent and special occasions
under the following conditions: (Revised: 1/10/92, 4/25/02 effective 8/1/02)
(a) The meal must be provided in an individual's home (as opposed to a restaurant) and
may be catered; and (Revised: 4/25/02 effective 8/1/02)
(b) A representative of the institution's athletics interest may provide reasonable local
transportation to student-athletes to attend the meal function only if the meal function is
at the home of that representative. (Revised: 4/25/02 effective 8/1/02)
16.11.1.6 Retention of Athletics Apparel and Equipment.
A student-athlete may retain athletics apparel items (not equipment) at the end of the
individual's intercollegiate participation. Used equipment may be purchased by the
student-athlete on the same cost basis as by any other individual interested in purchasing
such equipment
16.11.2.2 Discounts and Credits.
A student-athlete may not receive a special discount, payment arrangement or credit on a
purchase (e.g., airline ticket, clothing) or a service (e.g., laundry, dry cleaning) from an
institutional employee or a representative of its athletics interests
16.11.2.2.1 Free or Reduced-Cost Services.
An athletics representative may not provide a student-athlete with professional services
(for which a fee normally would be charged) without charge or at a reduced cost except
as permitted elsewhere in this bylaw. Professional services provided at less than the
normal rate or at no expense to a student-athlete are considered an extra benefit unless
they are available on the same basis to the general student body
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16.11.2.2.2 Telephones and Credit Cards.
It is not permissible to allow a student-athlete to use a telephone or credit card for
personal reasons without charge or at a reduced cost.
16.11.2.2.3 Entertainment Services.
A student-athlete may not receive services (e.g., movie tickets, dinners, use of car) from
commercial agencies (e.g., movie theaters, restaurants, car dealers) without charge or at
reduced rates, or free or reduced-cost admission to professional athletics contests from
professional sports organizations, unless such services also are available to the student
body in general.
16.11.2.3 Other Prohibited Benefits.
An institutional employee or representative of the institution's athletics interests may not
provide a student-athlete with extra benefits or services, including, but not limited to:
(a) A loan of money;
(b) A guarantee of bond;
(c) An automobile or the use of an automobile;
(d) Transportation (e.g., a ride home with a coach), except as permitted in 16.9.1-(e),
even if the student-athlete reimburses the institution or the staff member for the
appropriate amount of the gas or expense; or
(e) Signing or cosigning a note with an outside agency to arrange a loan.
16.11.2.5 Athletics Equipment.
A student-athlete may not accept athletics equipment, supplies or clothing (e.g., tennis
racquets, golf clubs, hockey sticks, balls, shirts) from a manufacturer or commercial
enterprise. Such items may be provided to the student-athlete’s institution, to be used by
the institution's team in accordance with accepted practices for issuance and retrieval of
athletics equipment.
17.02.1 Countable Athletically Related Activities.
Countable athletically related activities include any required activity with an athletics
purpose involving student-athletes and at the direction of, or supervised by one or more
of an institution's coaching staff (including strength and conditioning coaches) and must
be counted within the weekly and daily limitations under Bylaw 17.1.6.1 and 17.1.6.2.
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Administrative activities (e.g., academic meetings, compliance meetings) shall not be
considered as countable athletically related activities
17.02.13 Voluntary Athletically Related Activities.
In order for any athletically related activity to be considered "voluntary," all of the
following conditions must be met: (Adopted: 4/18/01)
(a) The student-athlete must not be required to report back to a coach or other athletics
department staff member (e.g., strength coach, trainer, manager) any information related
to the activity. In addition, no athletics department staff member who observes the
activity (e.g., strength coach, trainer, manager) may report back to the student-athlete's
coach any information related to the activity;
(b) The activity must be initiated and requested solely by the student-athlete. Neither
the institution nor any athletics department staff member may require the student-athlete
to participate in the activity at any time. However, it is permissible for an athletics
department staff member to provide information to student-athletes related to available
opportunities for participating in voluntary activities (e.g., times when the strength and
conditioning coach will be on duty in the weight room or on the track). In addition, for
students who have initiated a request to engage in voluntary activities, the institution or
an athletics department staff member may assign specific times for student-athletes to use
institutional facilities for such purposes and inform the student-athletes of the time in
advance;
(c) The student-athlete's attendance and participation in the activity (or lack thereof) may
not be recorded for the purposes of reporting such information to coaching staff members
or other student-athletes; and
(d) The student-athlete may not be subjected to penalty if he or she elects not to
participate in the activity. In addition, neither the institution nor any athletics department
staff member may provide recognition or incentives (e.g., awards) to a student-athlete
based on his or her attendance or performance in the activity
17.02.14 Student-Athlete Discretionary Time. FBS/FCS
Student-athlete discretionary time is time that a student-athlete may only participate in
athletics activities at his or her discretion. There shall be no required workouts and
institutions are not permitted to recommend that student-athletes engage in weighttraining or conditioning activities; however, if the student-athlete opts to workout, the
strength and conditioning coach may monitor the facility in use for health and safety
purposes
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17.1.6.2 Weekly Hour Limitations -- Outside the Playing Season.
(Adopted: 1/10/91 effective 8/1/91; Revised: 1/10/95 effective 8/1/95, 1/14/97, 11/1/00,
10/31/02 effective 8/1/03, 3/10/04)
(a) Sports other than Football. Outside of the playing season, from the institution's first
day of classes of the academic year or September 15, whichever occurs earlier, to one
week prior to the beginning of the institution's final examination period at the conclusion
of the academic year, only a student-athlete's participation in required weight-training,
conditioning and skill-related instruction shall be permitted. A student-athlete's
participation in such activities per Bylaw 17.02.1 shall be limited to a maximum of eight
hours per week with not more than two hours per week spent on skill-related workouts.
All athletically related activities outside the playing season are prohibited one week prior
to the beginning of the final examination period for the applicable academic term through
the conclusion of each student-athlete's final exams. (Revised: 4/27/06 effective 8/1/06;
9/22/06)
(c) Championship Subdivision Football. [FCS] Activities between the institution's
last contest and the start of summer conditioning are limited to required weight-training,
conditioning and the review of game film. A student-athlete's participation in such
activities shall be limited to a maximum of eight hours per week, of which no more than
two hours per week may be spent on the viewing of film. All activities beginning with
the start of summer conditioning and outside the playing season shall be conducted
pursuant to Bylaw
17.1.6.2.1.1 Sports Other than Championship Subdivision Football.
In sports other than championship subdivision football, a student-athlete may not
participate in any countable athletically related activities outside the playing season
during any institutional vacation period and/or summer. Strength and conditioning
coaches who are not countable coaches and who perform such duties on a departmentwide basis may design and conduct specific workout programs for student-athletes,
provided such workouts are voluntary and conducted at the request of the student-athlete.
(Adopted: 10/31/02 effective 8/1/03, Revised: 4/28/05, 12/15/06)
17.1.6.2.1.1.1 Exception -- September 15 to First Day of Classes -- Sports
other than Football.
In sports other than football, required weight-training, conditioning and skill-related
instruction is permitted, pursuant to Bylaws 17.1.6.2, 17.1.6.2.2 and 17.1.6.2.3, during an
institution's summer vacation period from September 15 to the first day of classes of the
academic year
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17.1.6.2.1.1.2 Exception -- January 15 to First Day of Classes of Second
Term -- Baseball.
In baseball, required weight training, conditioning and skill-related instruction are
permitted, pursuant to Bylaws 17.1.6.2 and 17.1.6.2.3, during an institution's vacation
period from January 15 to the first day of classes of the institution's second academic
term
17.1.6.2.1.2 Championship Subdivision Football. FCS
In championship subdivision football, a student-athlete may not participate in any
countable athletically related activities outside the playing season during any institutional
vacation period and/or summer. Certified strength and conditioning coaches, including
countable coaches, may design and conduct specific workout programs for studentathletes, provided such workouts are voluntary and conducted at the request of the
student-athlete
17.11.2.3 Five-Day Acclimatization Period. FBS/FCS
In football, preseason practice shall begin with a five-day acclimatization period for both
first-time participants (e.g., freshman and transfers) and continuing student-athletes. All
student-athletes, including walk-ons who arrive to preseason practice after the first day of
practice, are required to undergo a five-day acclimatization period. The five-day
acclimatization period shall be conducted as follows: (Adopted: 4/24/03 effective 5/1/03
to begin implementation at the beginning of the 2003 summer conditioning period,
Revised: 12/15/06)
(a) In bowl subdivision football, institutions may not conduct administrative activities
(e.g., team pictures, etc.) other than those permitted prior to or on the academic
orientation day (e.g., compliance-related activities, medical examinations, individual
photographs) prior to the first permissible date of practice. In championship subdivision
football, institutions may not conduct administrative activities (e.g., team pictures,
individual photographs) other than compliance-related activities and medical
examinations prior to the first permissible date of practice. Conditioning, speed, strength
or agility tests may not occur on any day prior to the start of the five-day acclimatization
period. In championship subdivision football, during the five-day acclimatization period,
the institution must establish an academic orientation period for those student-athletes
who are beginning their initial season of eligibility for football practice at the institution.
The orientation activities may be conducted on more than one day during the five-day
period, but must be conducted for the equivalent of one day (no less than six hours).
(Revised: 12/13/05, 4/27/06, 12/15/06, 1/14/08)
(b) During the five-day period, participants shall not engage in more than one on-field
practice per day, not to exceed to three hours in length.
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(1) Exception -- During the five-day acclimatization period, an institution has the option
of conducting one on-field practice per day, not to exceed three hours in length, or one
on-field testing session (speed, conditioning or agility tests) per day, not exceed one hour
in length and one on-field practice, not to exceed two hours in length. In addition, an
institution may conduct one one-hour walk-through session per day of the acclimatization
period, provided protective equipment (e.g., helmets, shoulder pads) is not worn,
equipment related to football (e.g., footballs, blocking sleds) is not used and conditioning
activities do not occur. Student-athletes must be provided with at least three continuous
hours of recovery time between any sessions (testing, practice or walk-through) occurring
that day. During this time, student-athletes may not attend any meetings or engage in
other athletically-related activities (e.g., weight lifting); however, time spent receiving
medical treatment and eating meals may be included as part of the recovery time. If an
institution conducts only a walk-through on a particular day during the acclimatization
period, that day does not count toward the required five days of acclimatization, but the
walk-through counts toward the limit of 29 on-field practices for the preseason practice
period. (Revised: 4/28/05, effective 8/1/05, 7/18/05, 12/13/05)
(c) First-time participants and continuing students shall not be required to practice
separately.
(d) During the first two days of the acclimatization period, helmets shall be the only piece
of protective equipment student-athletes may wear. During the third and fourth days of
the acclimatization period, helmets and shoulder pads shall be the only pieces of
protective equipment student-athletes may wear. During the final day of the five-day
period and on any days thereafter, student-athletes may practice in full pads.
17.11.2.4 Preseason Activities After Five-Day Acclimatization
Period. FBS/FCS
The remaining preseason practice period shall be conducted as follows: (Adopted:
4/24/03 effective 5/1/03 to begin implementation at the beginning of the 2003 summer
conditioning period, Revised: 12/15/06)
(a) After the five-day period, institutions may practice in full pads. However, an
institution may not conduct multiple on-field practice sessions (e.g., two-a-days or threea-days) on consecutive days;
(b) Student-athletes shall not engage in more than three hours of on-field practice
activities on those days during which one practice is permitted;
(c) Student-athletes shall not engage in more than five hours of on-field practice activities
on those days during which more than one practice is permitted; and
(d) On days that institutions conduct multiple practice sessions, student-athletes must be
provided with at least three continuous hours of recovery time between the end of the
first practice and the start of the last practice that day. During this time student-athletes
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may not attend any meetings or engage in other athletically-related activities (e.g., weight
lifting); however, time spent receiving medical treatment and eating meals may be
included as part of the recovery time.
17.11.2.4.1 Exception -- "Walk-Through." FBS/FCS
During the preseason practice period only and after the five-day acclimatization period, a
walk-through is not considered to be an on-field activity under Bylaw 17.11.2.4, provided
protective equipment (e.g., helmets, shoulder pads) is not worn, equipment related to
football (e.g., footballs, blocking sleds) is not used and conditioning activities do not
occur. If a walk-through is conducted on a day in which no other on-field activities
occur, the walk-through must be included in the limit of 29 on-field practices for the
preseason practice period. In championship subdivision football, on-field walk-through
shall not exceed a total of two hours per day on the days one practice is conducted and
one hour per day on the days multiple practice sessions are conducted
Ask before you Act!
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