With the conclusion of the spring semester fast approaching, coaches and student-athletes should be aware of institutional and NCAA restrictions on team activities during the Concentrated Study and Final Exam periods.
Out-of-season sports
NCAA Bylaw 17.1.6.2 prohibits all countable athletically related activities (CARAs) outside the playing season one week prior to the beginning of final exams. Final exams begin on Mon., May 7. Therefore, all CARAs for the spring semester for out-of-season sports must cease at midnight on Sun., April 29.
Additionally, per institutional policy, required team functions/gatherings are prohibited during the Concentrated Study and Final Exam periods. Therefore, the final date to conduct team functions such as occasional meals and student-athlete appearances is Tues., May 1. The Concentrated Study Period begins on Wed., May 2.
As a reminder, any activity in which a coach is present is considered countable (other than meetings initiated by student-athletes during which no other countable activities occur). The only exception to this rule is for sports with the safety exception - in this case, Gymnastics and Swimming & Diving - which allows a coach to be present during voluntary individual workouts in LSU's regular practice facilities when a student-athlete uses equipment for that sport.
For additional details on what constitutes a countable activity vs. what qualifies as voluntary, click HERE.
In-season sports
In-season sports may conduct countable athletically related activities (CARAs) during the Concentrated Study and Final Exam periods, but must refrain from other team functions such as non-SEC scheduled competition, occasional meals and student-athlete appearances, per institutional policy. The Concentrated Study period begins on Wed., May 2 and the Final Exam period concludes on Sat., May 12.
In-season CARA regulations (20 hours per week, at least one day off) are still in effect through the end of final exams. Thereafter, there is no limit on weekly hours during the summer vacation period for teams that are still in competition.