What are The Rules for NCAA College Tennis Recruiting?

The National Collegiate Athletic Association, or NCAA, regulates college athletes and their wellness and success in their designated sport.

NCAA college tennis recruitment rules fall under three divisions of recruiting. Whereas the rules are restricted in Division 1, Division 2 has less stringent rules, and Division 3 has more lenient rules. Because of the early recruitment patterns among college coaches and prospects, the NCAA recently implemented some new regulations. 

A college coach may only get in touch with a recruit after June 15 of their sophomore year, as per NCAA regulations. After a month and a half, prospective students may come to the school from August 1 for an official or unofficial tour to meet the coaches, team, tour the campus and watch practices. 

With a few modifications made in 2019, NCAA rules for male and female players are identical or largely the same. 

College tennis recruiting starts on June 15th of every calendar year. Before the actual date, coaches just don’t sit and wait, they begin searching the recruiting databases to analyse and find the right talent.  Coaches start to visit the tournaments to assess and evaluate the students' talents. They will also contact the players' schools or clubs to get feedback from them.   

Tennis recruiting rules in Division 1 

In comparison to the other divisions, Division 1 of the NCAA has the strictest rules. These are the guidelines: 

• The student-athletes will receive non-recruiting materials such as brochures about camps, questionnaires, and so on.  
• Coaches can officially engage candidates through calls, text messages, or emails once the calendar reaches June 15th. 
• As August 1 comes, students or recruits can begin to make official or unofficial appointments with the coaches. And college coaches can also start to evaluate the students off-campus at the student’s school or home.  
• Coaches have the option to extend verbal offers to the students. 

Tennis recruiting rules in Division 2 

NCAA rules for division 2 are less strict than compared to division 1 rules.  

• Any time the coaches can send the non-recruiting materials, brochures, and questionnaires to the student-athletes. 
• After June 15th, students can plan the official visits anytime, and off-campus communications between the coaches and the student’s parents can be allowed.
• College coaches will begin contacting the students. And they will also receive the printed recruiting materials. 

Tennis recruiting rules in Division 3 

NCAA Division 3 rules are more relaxed compared to division 1 & 2 rules.  

• Students can receive recruiting materials anytime from the college coach. 
• Student-athletes can make numerous unofficial visits to a college during their recruiting process.
• In their junior year, official visits are permitted on January 1 of each calendar year. 
• Coaches can contact the recruits at any time via telephone, text, or email.  
• Students should create an athlete recruiting profile as well. Some highlight reels of their performances, as well as taking part in competitions and camps where college coaches might be present. This approach would help the students to get a better position in the recruiting process for the college they want.  

What Rules a Player Should Keep in Mind? 

Many of the rules mentioned are for schools and coaches to follow.  As a player, you are allowed to contact coaches, but you should have respect and consider when they will be able to respond.  Players can visit colleges unofficially when they would like, but a player can not buy anything for the coaches or team members.  Watching the team practice is very helpful, as you can see the interactions of the team members and the coaches.  The rules discussed largely involve the recruiting process, but the rules the coaches insist on in practice will affect you daily for potentially four years.  If you are able to watch multiple days of practices, you can see what the team values, like warm up lengths, emphasis on consistency or pace, equal treatment of all players, etc.