All glossary terms
    Recruiting Periods & Visits

    Contact Period

    A contact period is when college coaches are permitted to have in-person, off-campus contact with a recruit and their family. Coaches can visit high schools, homes, and competitions, in addition to all forms of digital and phone communication.

    Contact periods are when home visits and in-person evaluations happen most actively.

    The number of off-campus contacts is capped per recruit, so coaches use these windows strategically.

    Last reviewed 2026-08-31

    Related terms

    Dead Period
    No in-person contact between coaches and athletes.
    Quiet Period
    In-person contact only on the college campus.
    Evaluation Period
    Coaches may watch athletes compete but not talk off-campus.
    Recruiting Calendar
    The NCAA schedule of contact, evaluation, and dead periods.