What are the Rules for NCAA College Tennis Recruiting?

Do you have a child in high school who aspires to be a college athlete? As a parent, you’re most likely searching for are much information as possible to ensure your child has the best opportunity to be admitted into their collegiate tennis program of choice. So, where should you begin? Understanding the rules that must be followed during the recruiting process and the requirements your child will need to meet are pertinent when entering the college recruitment process.

NCAA Division I Tennis Recruiting Rules

10th grade:

Your child can:

• Receive brochures for a junior tennis academy and tennis camps, as well as questionnaires
• Call coaches, but coaches cannot call
• NOT take official visits or have off-campus contact
• Take unlimited unofficial visits IF they are scheduled without the assistance of coaching staff and aren’t planned with the intent of meeting with the coaching staff on campus
• Athletic departments are not permitted to participate in a prospective athlete’s unofficial visit until September 1st of their junior year.

11th grade:

Your child can:

• Receive materials and information from coaches
• Call or be called by coaches
• Have electronic correspondence beginning September 1st that must be private between the athlete and the coach
• Have off-campus contact (no more than three times)
• Take official visits beginning September 1st
• Prospective athletes are allowed one visit per college, a maximum of five visits to Division I schools, and unlimited visits for Division II, Division III, and NAIA schools. Unofficial visits are unlimited.

12th grade:

Your child can:

• Receive materials and information from the coach
• Call or be called by coaches
• Have electronic correspondence beginning September 1st junior year (must be private between recruit and the coach) 
• Have off-campus contact no more than three times
• Take official visits beginning September 1st of junior year (one visit per college and a maximum of five visits to Division I schools, with unlimited visits to Division II, Division III, and NAIA schools)

Other Important Notes:
College coaches can evaluate and/or contact your child no more than seven times during their senior year and may contact your child no more than three total times.
 

NCAA Division II Tennis Recruiting Rules

10th grade:

A high school sophomore aspiring to be a Division II tennis athlete can:

• Start receiving brochures for programs like IMG Academy’s junior tennis academy, as well as questionnaires from desired colleges
• Call college coaches
• After June 15th: coaches can call, text, and email your child without limitations; off-campus contact is unlimited; official visits are allowed 
• Unofficial visits are also allowed at any capacity

11th grade:

When your child reaches their junior year, they can:

• Receive recruiting materials and information from coaches
• Call coaches, and coaches can call, text, and email without limitations
• Have unlimited off-campus contact, official visits, and unofficial visits

12th grade:

As a high school senior, your child can:

• Receive materials and information from coaches
• Call coaches
• Receive calls, texts, or emails without limitations from coaches
• Have unlimited off-campus contact as well as unofficial visits
• Take limited official visits (limited to one per college and a maximum of five visits to Division I schools; unlimited visits to Division II, Division III, and NAIA schools)

Other Important Notes:
Division II does not have any rules regarding the number of evaluations per perspective student-athlete. College coaches cannot contact your child on competition or practice days until the event or practice is complete, and, during a contact period, college coaches are only permitted to visit your child’s school once a week.
 

NCAA Division III Recruiting Rules

One of the main differences between Division III and the other divisions is that it does not have a recruiting calendar. Division III coaches can contact and recruit high school athletes without set dead periods, contact periods, and quiet periods. 

9-10th grade:

Your child can:

• Receive brochures for camps and questionnaires
• Acquire recruiting information from college coaches who send it
• Call or be called by coaches without limitations
• Take unofficial visits
• Have off-campus contact after 10th grade
• NOT take official visits yet

11th grade:

Your child can:

• Receive recruiting information and materials from coaches
• Call or be called by coaches without limitations
• Have off-campus contact
• Take official visits beginning January 1st
• Take unlimited unofficial visits

12th grade:

As a senior in high school, your child can:

• Receive information and materials from coaches
• Call or be called by coaches without limitations
• Have permitted off-campus contact 
• Take official visits beginning the first day of their classes (limited to only one visit per college)
• Take unlimited unofficial visits

For more information about the rules and regulations for athletic recruiting at NCAA schools, the NCSA has provided very helpful resources.