When NCAA coaches can contact you: key dates by sport
Published October 31, 2026
In most Division I sports, coaches can start contacting you and make verbal offers on June 15 after your sophomore year, but there are exceptions such as softball (September 1 of junior year) and basketball. Here are the dates by sport and what you can do before then.
Division I: dates by sport
These dates refer to when the coach can start recruiting conversations (calls, emails, video calls, messages), make verbal offers and host you on official visits. The dates come from a summary of NCAA rules; confirm them on the official NCAA website, because they change.
| Sport | Conversations and verbal offers | Official visits |
|---|---|---|
| Soccer, volleyball, field hockey and other sports without their own rule | June 15 after sophomore year | August 1, at the start of junior year |
| Softball | September 1 of junior year | September 1 of junior year |
| Men's basketball | June 15 after sophomore year | August 1, at the start of junior year |
| Women's basketball | Conversations: June 1 after sophomore year. Verbal offers: June 15 of junior year | January 1 of junior year |
Division II
Coaches can contact you at any time by phone, message or email, even in freshman or sophomore year. In-person contact is limited until June 15 after sophomore year, which is also when they can make verbal offers and plan official visits. Unofficial visits have no date restrictions.
What you can do before those dates
These rules limit the coach, not you. You can send a short email whenever you want, show your interest and send your video. Many coaches will read and save it, even if they cannot reply yet. The best use of that time is to have your eligibility profile, video and grades ready. See the guide to emailing a coach and the timeline for finishing high school in December.
A note for students outside the U.S.
These dates are counted by U.S. high school year (sophomore is second year, junior is third). If you study in a country with a different calendar, find your graduation year and count from there: your third year of high school is equivalent to junior year.
Frequently asked questions
Since when can Division I coaches contact me?
For most sports, from June 15 after your sophomore year. Softball starts on September 1 of junior year, and women's basketball has its own dates.
And Division II coaches?
They can contact you at any time by phone, message or email. In-person contact and verbal offers open on June 15 after sophomore year.
Can I email a coach before those dates?
Yes. The rules limit the coach, not you. You can show your interest and send your video whenever you want.
Where do I confirm current dates?
On the official NCAA website. Rules and dates change, and some are adjusted every year.
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