If you’re a student-athlete chasing your dream of playing at the next level, you’ve probably heard about an NCAA recruiting shutdown period. For many, this term sparks confusion. Does it mean recruiting stops altogether? Will coaches forget about you during this time?
Understanding what a recruiting shutdown is can be helpful during the college recruiting process. In this article, we’ll explain the rules behind the NCAA shutdown period, how it affects your ability to connect with college coaches, and what you should focus on while recruiting communication slows down.
Table of Contents
What is an NCAA Recruiting Shutdown?
The NCAA recruiting shutdown is a set time frame during which all recruiting activities are off-limits.
Unlike quiet periods or dead periods, recruiting shutdowns often occur around major NCAA events such as national championships or significant holidays. Watch the video below for more information:
NCAA Recruiting Shutdown vs Dead Period vs Quiet Period vs Evaluation Period
Here’s how it compares to the other NCAA recruiting periods:
- Contact period: All contact is permissible.
- Evaluation period: Coaches can watch athletes compete in person but cannot have face-to-face conversations outside of permitted settings.
- Quiet period: Athletes may visit campuses and meet coaches in person, but off-campus recruiting is prohibited.
- Dead period: No in-person contact on or off campus, and no official or unofficial visits.
- Shutdown period: Recruiting contact and evaluations are restricted altogether, usually tied to major NCAA events or breaks.
Understanding these differences helps athletes avoid missed opportunities and plan around recruiting slowdowns. To view your division and sport-specific recruiting calendar, click here.
Prohibited Activities During a Recruiting Shutdown
- Campus visits: Hosting or allowing official or unofficial recruiting visits.
- Off-campus in-person activity: Any face-to-face recruiting contact or evaluation away from campus.
- Institution-run events: Operating institutional camps or clinics.
- Outside-event employment: Working at noninstitutional camps or clinics.
- Written/digital outreach: Sending recruiting materials or direct messages to prospects or their families/coaches.
- Phone communication: Making or receiving calls with prospects or their family members.
- Coach-to-coach recruiting contact: Communicating with a prospect’s coach about recruiting matters.
- Aid offers: Issuing a written scholarship or financial aid offer to a prospect.
- Logistics-only mailings: Sending otherwise permissible informational items (e.g., camp/clinic or visit logistics).
- Social media approval actions: Liking, reposting, or otherwise endorsing a prospect’s posts.
Permissible Activities During a Recruiting Shutdown
- Signed-offer prospects: You may communicate with a contact who has signed your institution’s written offer of aid.
- Tryout exceptions (off-site only): Participation allowed under exceptions (e.g., local clubs, regional training programs, national teams) so long as it does not occur during a campus visit or any camp/clinic.
Why Does the NCAA Have Shutdown Periods?
Recruiting is intense for both athletes and coaches. Shutdown periods provide necessary breaks so coaches can focus on their teams during tournaments, and athletes can enjoy academic or holiday downtime without constant recruiting pressure. Shutdown periods also:
- Help promote fairness in recruiting: Without these rules, high-profile programs might continue recruiting aggressively during events, leaving smaller schools at a disadvantage.
- Align with academic schedules: Many shutdown periods overlap with key academic times, like final exams. This ensures athletes can prioritize schoolwork, while coaches concentrate on their teams’ performance.
What Student-Athletes Should Do During a Recruiting Shutdown
Just because coaches can’t contact you doesn’t mean your recruiting process is on pause. In fact, this is one of the best times to strengthen your profile and prepare for when communication resumes. Here are a couple things you can do:
1. Focus on Your Game
Use this downtime to focus on your sport and academics. Work on your strength, conditioning, mental performance and nutrition. Using this time to focus now ensures you’re ready to perform when coaches start watching again.
2. Build and Update Your Recruiting Profile
Your recruiting profile is your digital first impression. Update your NCSA profile with:
- Current GPA and test scores
- Updated highlight video or game footage
- New stats or awards
- A personal statement or athletic resume
A strong profile makes it easier for coaches to evaluate you once the shutdown period ends.
Create Your Free Recruiting Profile Now!
Student-Athletes Can Still Reach Out To Coaches
While you can’t talk directly with coaches during a shutdown period, you can still:
- Send updates that coaches can respond to once the period ends
- Work with your high school or club coach to keep your name on recruiters’ radar
- Plan unofficial visits or camps for after the shutdown period
Coaches likely aren’t taking a break during the shutdown period, but rather looking at highlight film, planning travel and comparing notes about recruits.
NCAA Shutdown Periods (Division I, 2025-26)
Dates vary by sport. Below are confirmed Division I shutdown windows.
Sports with shutdowns:
- Baseball: November 25-30, 2025; December 22-27, 2025
- Women’s Basketball: August 11-17, 2025; May 4-10, 2026
- Women’s Lacrosse: August 1-14, 2025; November 25-30, 2025; December 22-26, 2025; December 31-January 2, 2026
- Softball: November 26-30, 2025; December 31, 2025-January 2, 2026
Sports with no shutdowns
FBS Football, FCS Football, Men’s Basketball, Men’s/Women’s Cross Country and Track and Field, Men’s Golf, Men’s Lacrosse, Women’s Volleyball, Women’s Beach Volleyball
Full list by sport
- Football (FBS): None
- Football (FCS): None
- Baseball: Nov 25–30, 2025; Dec 22–27, 2025
- Men’s Basketball: None
- Women’s Basketball: Aug 11–17, 2025; May 4–10, 2026
- XC/Track & Field (Men’s/Women’s): None
- Men’s Golf: None
- Men’s Lacrosse: None
- Women’s Lacrosse: Aug 1–14, 2025; Nov 25–30, 2025; Dec 22–26, 2025; Dec 31, 2025–Jan 2, 2026
- Women’s Volleyball: None
- Women’s Beach Volleyball: None
- Softball: Nov 26–30, 2025; Dec 31, 2025–Jan 2, 2026
- All Other Sports: Dec 24, 2025–Jan 1, 2026
FAQs About NCAA Shutdown Periods
Can coaches contact student-athletes during a recruiting shutdown?
No. During an NCAA recruiting shutdown period, coaches cannot initiate contact with prospective student-athletes.
Do NCAA shutdown periods apply to every sport?
Not always. Each NCAA sport has its own recruiting calendar, which may include different restrictions.
Can athletes still take unofficial or official visits during a shutdown?
In most cases, no. Shutdown periods typically prohibit all recruiting-related in-person activity. Always check your sport’s official NCAA recruiting calendar.
How long is an NCAA recruiting shutdown period?
It varies. Some last just a few days around championships, while others may extend for a week or longer.
What’s the difference between a dead period and a shutdown period?
While both limit in-person contact, a dead period allows for some forms of electronic communication. A shutdown period typically halts all recruiting contact.
Take Control of Your Recruiting Journey
The NCAA shutdown period doesn’t mean your recruiting process is over, it’s simply a pause. Smart athletes use this time to improve their skills, update their profiles, and prepare for when communication opens back up.
Understanding these rules is critical to making the most of your recruiting opportunities. Don’t let confusion about the NCAA shutdown period slow you down.
Connect with NCSA college recruiting experts today. Our recruiting experts can help you navigate recruiting periods, maximize your exposure, and guide you through every stage of the recruiting process so you can find the right college fit.