Most HS athletes and parents have no idea what the rules are as far as when and how Division One college coaches can contact their son or daughter. I am talking strictly in regards to basketball and their recruiting rules. The rules are a little bit different for every sport, so I'll be specific to just basketball. I'll go down the list of what is allowed for each year an athlete is in school.
Athletes can take unofficial visits at any point of time in high school. Athletes can take as many unofficial visits as they want or need to take (aka unlimited). An unofficial visit is when the athlete and their family provide the arrangements for the athlete to visit the school, aka the family pays for everything including travel expenses, food, etc.
Athletes are also allowed to contact coaches as much as they want. They can call or text a coach or coaches as much as they want. A coach can not return the call or text at any point (in their freshmen or sophomore year) or it's a violation.
As a freshmen, athletes can only receive a questionnaire and a camp brochure. So, if you hear that a freshman was invited to a school's camp then it usually means that the athlete received a camp brochure in the mail. Coaches are NOT allowed to a make a phone call or text message the athlete directly.
As a sophomore, the same rules apply as a freshmen. There are two legitimate differences is that once June 15th hits, coaches can have unlimited contact (calls and texts) with the athlete. Coaches can also send recruiting material in the mail once the June 15th date is hit. For most athletes, it's June 15th AFTER their sophomore year but some states haven't completed school by that date but it could be during their sophomore year if school is still in session.
If a college coach REALLY wants to talk to an athlete during their freshmen or sophomore year there are ways around this rule. The way to get around it is to contact the high school or AAU coach on the phone. The athlete just happens to "be around" when the call happens and is allowed to talk to the coaches because the call is not directly with the athlete.
As a junior, contact with coaches is unlimited. Once January 1 hits of this year, athletes are allowed to take official visits to a university. It is not always the case, but that option is available if the athlete AND the university want it. An official visit is when the university pays for all the expenses for a visit.
As a senior, this is usually the time that athletes take their official visits (after Jan. 1 of junior year is an option but most, if not all, are done during senior year). You only get FIVE official visits before choosing a school. If an athlete's school list is at seven schools, they can only make five official visits and the other two visits have to be unofficial.
Coaches are now allowed to make home visits with athletes and their families starting in the spring of their junior year (after January 1). They can meet with the athlete at school or at their home. This is considered a contact. Coaches are only allowed to have a total of seven contacts and evaluations (just watching the player play but no talking) anyway they want.
Freshmen - 7 Evaluations
Sophomore - 7 Evaluations
Junior - 7 Total with both Contacts and Evaluations (Contacts can start Jan. 1)
Senior - 7 Total between Contacts and Evaluations (any combination of the two)
Division One college coaches only get 130 "days" per academic year to go out and recruit. That means they have less than 20 recruits they are recruiting in ALL classes in order for all players to get seven contacts and evaluations. If a coaching staff comes and sees you seven times in one calendar year then they REALLY want you. Even if they see you and/or meet with you more than twice, you have to think you are considered a priority for that particular program. Not all schools can be as selective in their recruiting as Kentucky or Duke.
In closing, know the rules regarding coaches contacting athletes. You don't want to be a part of a NCAA investigation and you don't want to put your eligibility in jeopardy.
