PLAYING SEASON REGULATIONS

Playing Season Regulations

In-Season vs. Out-of-Season

In Division I athletics, the NCAA has limitations on the number of hours student-athletes can participate in countable athletically related activities with their coaches inside and outside of the playing season. 

Out-of-Season Limitations

  • Max of 4 hours/per day of required countable athletically related activities

  • Max of 8 hours/per week of required countable athletically related activities

  • Max of 2 hours/per week of the 8 hour limit may be devoted to skill-related instruction (film review in football)

  • At least 2 required days off per week

In-Season Limitations

  • Max of 4 hours/per day of required countable athletically related activities

  • Max of 20 hours/per week of required countable athletically related activities

  • At least 1 required day off per week

  • Day of competition counts as 3 hours regardless of how long the competition actually takes

CARA vs. RARA

Examples of Non-Countable Athletically Related Activities (RARA)

  • Compliance Meetings

  • Academics (Study Hall, Tutors)

  • Promotional Activities

  • Life Skills/Leadership

  • Student Host Duties

  • Training Room/Medical Treatment

  • Voluntary Weight Training/Conditioning

Examples of Countable Athletically Related Activities (CARA)

  • Practice

  • Competition

  • Team Meetings

  • Film Review

  • Strength Training

  • Conditioning

  • Skill Instruction

To learn more about playing and practice seasons and what is a countable/non-countable athletically related activity, please click HERE.

Outside Competition

LSU student-athletes must receive approval from the Compliance Office prior to participating in competition as a member of an outside sports team or as an individual.

Pending Compliance Office approval, student-athletes in all sports (except football) may compete in any non-collegiate, amateur competition during select time periods (e.g., summer break, official LSU vacation periods when team is out-of-season).

The number of LSU student-athletes on any one outside team shall not exceed the following limitations:  

Baseball: Unlimited
Basketball: Unlimited
Cross Country: Unlimited
Golf: Unlimited
Gymnastics: Unlimited
Soccer: 5
Softball: 4
Swimming & Diving: Unlimited
Tennis: Unlimited
Track & Field: Unlimited
Volleyball: 2

To seek approval to compete in outside competition, golf and tennis student-athletes should complete and submit this form. Student-athletes in all other sports should complete and submit this form.