Dead Periods, Quiet Periods, and Contact Periods Explained
NCAA recruiting rules include specific periods that determine when and how college coaches can contact prospective student-athletes. Understanding these periods is crucial for timing your recruiting activities effectively.
Contact Period
Definition: Times when college coaches have no restrictions on contacting recruits.
What Coaches Can Do:
- Make phone calls and send texts/emails
- Visit you at home or school
- Visit you at competition sites
- Host you for unofficial visits on campus
- Evaluate you at competitions and practices
What This Means for You:
- Expect more frequent communication
- Prime time for campus visits
- Best opportunity for face-to-face meetings
- Coaches can see you compete in person
Quiet Period
Definition: Times when coaches can communicate but with significant restrictions.
What Coaches Can Do:
- Make phone calls and send texts/emails
- Host you for unofficial visits on campus
- Continue recruitment conversations
What Coaches CANNOT Do:
- Visit you at home or school
- Visit you at competition sites
- Watch you compete or practice in person
- Make off-campus contact
What This Means for You:
- Communication continues but is limited to phone/digital
- You can still visit campuses
- Coaches cannot scout you in person
Dead Period
Definition: Times when coaches cannot have any contact with recruits.
What Coaches CANNOT Do:
- Make phone calls or send texts/emails
- Visit you anywhere (home, school, competitions)
- Host you for campus visits
- Have any recruiting-related contact
Limited Exceptions:
- Coaches can return calls if you call them first
- General recruiting materials (like brochures) can still be sent
- Communication about non-recruiting matters may be allowed
What This Means for You:
- Minimal to no communication from coaches
- Cannot make official or unofficial visits
- Good time to focus on your sport and academics
Recruiting Season Never Sleeps — Your Profile Shouldn't Either
Keep your achievements live and updated year-round. Coaches will always see the best version of you.
Get Started →Sport-Specific Contact Periods
Football
- Contact Period: December (after regular season ends)
- Quiet Period: Most of the year
- Dead Period: Spring evaluation period, around bowl games
Basketball (Men's and Women's)
- Contact Period: April evaluation period, July
- Quiet Period: During season, between evaluation periods
- Dead Period: Around NCAA tournaments, specific summer weeks
Baseball/Softball
- Contact Period: July (summer evaluation)
- Quiet Period: During high school and college seasons
- Dead Period: Specific weeks around playoffs and championships
Soccer
- Contact Period: Varies by when high school season occurs
- Quiet Period: During club and high school seasons
- Dead Period: Around major tournaments and championships
Volleyball
- Contact Period: During summer club season
- Quiet Period: During high school and college seasons
- Dead Period: Around major tournaments
Note: Specific dates change annually. Always check current NCAA regulations.
How These Periods Affect Your Recruiting
During Contact Periods
Maximize opportunities:
- Schedule unofficial visits
- Attend camps at target schools
- Be available for coach visits
- Compete in major tournaments coaches can attend
- Respond quickly to coach communication
During Quiet Periods
Focus on digital communication:
- Email updates and highlight videos
- Schedule phone calls with coaches
- Plan campus visits
- Continue your outreach efforts
- Maintain communication momentum
During Dead Periods
Focus on development:
- Concentrate on training and competition
- Update recruiting materials
- Research more programs
- Work on academics
- Prepare for when communication resumes
Division II and NAIA Differences
Division II
- More flexible contact rules than Division I
- Fewer dead periods throughout the year
- Less restrictive on coach-initiated communication
- Different evaluation periods than Division I
NAIA
- Most flexible contact rules of major college athletics
- Minimal dead periods
- Year-round recruiting allowed in most sports
- Fewer restrictions on coach visits and communication
NJCAA
- Very flexible contact rules
- Fewer restrictions than four-year institutions
- Can recruit year-round in most cases
Planning Around Contact Periods
For Athletes
Before Contact Periods:
- Update all recruiting materials
- Create list of coaches to contact
- Schedule competitions coaches might attend
- Plan campus visits
During Contact Periods:
- Be responsive to coach communication
- Make the most of in-person opportunities
- Ask detailed questions about programs
- Show genuine interest and enthusiasm
After Contact Periods:
- Follow up on conversations had
- Send thank you notes for visits/meetings
- Continue building relationships
- Prepare for next contact period
For Parents
- Understand the rules so you don't inadvertently violate them
- Support your athlete's communication during appropriate periods
- Plan family schedules around important contact periods
- Respect the restrictions and don't pressure coaches during dead periods
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Athletes and Families
- Contacting coaches during dead periods (except allowed exceptions)
- Not taking advantage of contact periods
- Being unresponsive during communication windows
- Misunderstanding the rules and creating awkward situations
What Coaches Cannot Ask You To Do
- Circumvent contact rules through parents or others
- Communicate during dead periods beyond what's allowed
- Pressure you to visit during inappropriate times
Staying Updated
Contact periods change annually, so:
- Check NCAA website for current dates
- Ask coaches about specific periods for your sport
- Follow recruiting services for updates
- Consult with high school counselors
Understanding these periods helps you plan your recruiting timeline effectively and ensures you maximize opportunities when they're available while respecting the rules that govern college recruiting.