Recruiting Playbook · Recruiting Periods

What is the NCAA contact period?

The contact period is the most open phase of recruiting, the time when coaches can visit you in person, host you on campus, and communicate freely. Here is exactly what is allowed and how to make it count.

The contact period, defined

During the NCAA contact period, communication between coaches and recruits is at its most open. Coaches can have in-person contact on or off campus, including visits to your school or home, and can freely call, email, text, and message you. It is the single best window for building real relationships and making a strong, personal impression that goes beyond your stats.

✓ What coaches CAN do

  • Meet you in person off campus (at your school or home)
  • Host you on official and unofficial campus visits
  • Watch you compete and evaluate you
  • Call, email, text, and message you
  • Extend and discuss scholarship offers (per sport rules)

✕ Still has limits

  • Off-campus contacts are capped in number per sport
  • Contact rules still vary by sport and division
  • Some sports have no formal contact period at all
  • Contact may be barred on game days or during school hours
Scout Tip

The contact period is your chance to make a strong impression in person. Be ready to talk about your athletic and academic goals, and use the time to advance real relationships, not just collect calls. Get evaluated and start building those relationships →

Watch: the contact period explained

Video: understanding the NCAA contact period

What to expect during the contact period

More coach contact

Expect an uptick in phone calls, emails, and texts from interested programs.

In-person visits

Coaches may visit your school or home to meet you and your family.

Campus visits

You may be invited to tour the college and meet the staff and team.

Real conversations

Be ready to discuss your athletic and academic goals and ask good questions.

How to make the most of the contact period

  • Be responsive. Answer calls and emails promptly. Coaches notice who follows up and who goes quiet.
  • Ask questions. Show genuine interest in the program, the staff, and the school, not just the offer.
  • Showcase your skills. Attend the right camps and showcases so coaches can see you compete in person.
  • Build relationships. Connect with coaches as people. Recruiting is a two-way fit, and rapport matters.

Ready for more coach contact?

The recruits who win the contact period are the ones coaches already know. Get a free evaluation from an NSR scout and start building those relationships now.

How the contact period compares

The contact period is one of four periods on the recruiting calendar. Here is how it stacks up against the others.

Contact
Full contact: visits, calls, messages.
You are here
Evaluation
Coaches watch you compete, no off-campus contact.
Quiet
In-person contact on campus only.
Dead
No in-person contact at all.

When is the contact period for your sport?

Contact-period dates are set each year and differ by sport and division, and not every sport has a formal contact period. Because the exact dates change annually, confirm the current windows from the official source.

Official NCAA recruiting calendars

The authoritative, current Division I and II recruiting calendars by sport, including contact-period dates.

View the official NCAA calendars →

Contact period FAQ

What is the NCAA contact period?
The contact period is the phase of the NCAA recruiting calendar when coaches have the most freedom to recruit. During a contact period, a college coach can have in-person contact with you on or off campus, including visits to your school or home, and can also call, email, text, and message you. It is the most open of the four recruiting periods.
What can college coaches do during a contact period?
During a contact period, coaches can meet you in person off campus (for example at your school or home), host you on official and unofficial campus visits, watch you compete, and communicate freely by phone, email, text, and social media. It is the best window for face-to-face relationship building, within the limits set for your specific sport.
Can a college coach visit my home during the contact period?
Yes. The contact period is the time when off-campus, in-person contact is permitted, which can include a coach visiting your home or high school. These visits are limited in number per sport, so coaches use them on recruits they are serious about.
When is the contact period for my sport?
Exact contact-period dates are set each year and differ by sport and division, and not every Division I or II sport has a formal contact period. Because the dates change annually, always confirm the current windows from the official NCAA recruiting calendar for your sport and division.

Make coaches want to contact you

An honest NSR evaluation puts you in front of the right programs so the contact period works in your favor. Start free.