Playing And Practice SeasonsNCAA bylaws define when and how much time a student-athlete may be required to participate in athletically related activities. The limits and type of activities differ based upon the season.
A student-athlete may not be required to participate in more than four hours per day and 20 hours per week during the playing season (championship and non-championship seasons). One day per week must be an "off day" in which no athletically related activities are permitted. A week is defined as seven consecutive days beginning at the discretion of the institution and cannot change during the year once declared. Hourly and weekly limitations do not apply during preseason and official vacation periods.
"Practice" is defined as any physical activity, instruction, or meeting involving sports-related information and having an athletics purpose, held for one or more student-athletes, at the director of or supervised by any member of the coaching staff. Students may not be required to miss class for practice purposes.
"Competition" is defined as any game, match, exhibition, scrimmage or joint practice session with another institution's team, in which competition occurs between a team or individual representing the University and any other team or individual not representing the student-athlete's institution. Competition, regardless of length, counts as three (3) of the 20-hour weekly limit. Students may be required to miss class for competition. A practice may not be conducted after the conclusion of competition (Exception: between tournament contests).
Playing SeasonA student-athlete's participation in countable athletically-related activities shall be limited to a maximum of four hours per day and 20 hours per week. A week is defined as seven consecutive days beginning at the discretion of the institution and once declared, cannot change during the term. All athletically-related activities are prohibited during one day per week. A travel day may be considered as the "day off" provided no athletically-related activities occur that day. Hourly and weekly limitations do not apply during preseason (before classes begin) and official vacation periods.
Off-SeasonA student-athlete's participation is limited to a maximum of eight hours per week. All athletically-related activities are prohibited during two days per week. The off-season period is limited to the following activities:
- Weight training and condition activities.
- A physical fitness class conducted by an athletic staff member.
- Two hours per week of skill instruction.
Skill-InstructionParticipation by student-athletes in individual skill-related instruction in sports other than football is permitted outside the institution's declared 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. More than four student-athletes from the team may be involved in skill-related instruction with their coaches from September 15 through April 15. Prior to September 15 and after April 15, no more than four student-athletes from the same team may be involved in skill-related instruction with their coach(es) at any one time in any facility. In baseball, no more than four student-athletes may participate in skill instruction sessions with their coaches at any one time in any facility prior to September 15, from the opening day of classes of the institution’s second academic term to January 15 and after April 15.
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