Practice and Competition
Countable Athletically Related Activities (CARA)
NCAA sets the daily and weekly hour limitations of CARA. A student-athlete’s participation in countable athletically related activities (required practice, film review, weight training, team meetings, and competition) shall be limited to:
- Championship Segment
- 20 hours/week
- 4 hours/day
- 1 day off/week
- Non-Championship Segment
- 15 hours/week
- 4 hours/day
- 2 days off/week
- Out-Of-Season Segment
- 8 hours/week (limited to weights; conditioning; practice)
- 4 hours/week (practice only)
- 2 days off/week
The chart below provides a partial list of common activities and indicates which count against your daily and weekly time limits as well as those that do not count against the limits.
Countable Athletically Related Activities | Non-Countable Athletically Related Activities |
Practice | Meetings on non-athletic matters (compliance, academic, etc.) |
Workouts/meetings initiated or required by coach | Meetings with coach initiated by student-athletes |
Competition | Study hall hours/tutoring |
Required weight training and conditioning | Training room treatment |
Required tryout participation | Traveling to and from competition site |
| Recruiting activities (e.g. student hosts) |
| Activities organized by other student-athletes without direction from the coach (ie. captain’s practice) |
Competition
A season of competition is used when a student-athlete participates in intercollegiate contests or scrimmages against outside competition regardless of the level of play or the length of participation (one inning, one second, etc.) with the exception of NCAA Bylaw 14.4.3.4.1.6 Preseason Exhibition Contests or Dates of Competition/Preseason Scrimmages. A student-athlete is limited to four seasons of competition in 10 full-time semesters.
- Redshirt: A “redshirt” year is one in which the student-athlete is withheld from all scrimmages or contests against outside competition (except when permissible by NCAA). While eligible and practicing with the team, the student-athlete does not use a season of competition.
- Medical Hardship: A “medical hardship” occurs when a student-athlete that has competed during the season has suffered an incapacitating injury or illness and is not able to complete the remainder of the season. To receive consideration for a “medical hardship,” the student-athlete must have sustained the incapacitating injury or illness in the first half of the playing season. Additionally, the student-athlete must have played in no more than three (3) events or 30% (whichever is greater) of the institution’s scheduled contests or dates of competition in his/her sport, and must not have returned to play for the remainder of the season. For further information, please contact the PBA Athletic Training Staff.
Competition on an Outside Team
- During the Academic Year: Student-athletes with eligibility remaining may not practice or compete as members of any outside team or all-star squad in any non-collegiate, amateur competition in their sport except as allowed by the NCAA (e.g. national team exceptions, HS alumni game, etc.). Any questions about such participation should be referred to the Compliance Office.
Some outside competition may be permitted during official vacation periods such as winter or spring break. Each sport has its own set of rules regarding outside competition so be sure to seek permission before participating in any outside competition, especially over vacation periods. Any violations of this could jeopardize eligibility.
All outside competition must first be pre-approved by the Compliance Office. The Outside Competition Disclosure can be found in Teamworks. Please fill out and submit completed form to the Compliance Office who will review to ensure your continued eligibility prior to your competition.
- Summer Participation: Please check with the Compliance Office before participating in any summer events. All participation must be approved by the Compliance Office prior to participation. Approval can be obtained by completing the Summer Outside Competition Disclosure submitted through Teamworks. The form must be submitted to the Compliance Office prior to any participation.
Participation in non-sanctioned leagues or events could jeopardize remaining eligibility.
