DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of the Secretary

1000 Student Activities

1040 Out-of-Season and Summer Athletic Activities and Contact

1.0 Content and Purpose of the Out-of-Season and Summer Athletic Activities and Contact Rules

1. 1.1 In accordance with14Del.C.§303(b), this regulation sets forth the requirements for activities and contact out-of-season and in the summer at the high school level.

2. 1.2 The purpose of the rules in this regulation is to:

   1. 1.2.1 Help prevent overuse injuries in student athletes;
   2. 1.2.2 To encourage student athletes to participate in multiple sports rather than specialize in 1 sport;
   3. 1.2.3 To permit certain opportunities for all student athletes to work with their coaches during out-of-season and in the summer;
   4. 1.2.4 To enhance student athletes' performance; and
   5. 1.2.5 To help prevent exploitation of student athletes by those who seek to capitalize on their skill or reputation.

2.0 Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning:

"Academic year" means the first student day until the last student day of school.

"Board" means the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Directors established pursuant to 14Del.C.Ch. 3.

"Camp"means an event where participants receive instruction, training, and evaluation on a specific sport or sports, the camp shall take place over several days. The camp may include competitions with camp participants. A camp shall not serve as out-of-season practice sessions.

"Clinic"means a meeting where participants receive instruction and evaluation on a specific sport. The clinic shall take place on a single day. A clinic shall not serve as an out-of-season practice session.

"Club team"means an organized competitive team that allow athletes to compete beyond the school team for a cost or fee. Club teams are not school sponsored teams.

"Coach"means any certified, emergency, or volunteer coach or instructor who is on a member school coaching staff.

"Commercial camp or clinic"means a camp or clinic that is operated for profit and provides coaching or other sports training for a fee. A commercial camp or clinic is run by a non-member school organization.

"Competition" means a contest between schools in which student athletes compete.

"Conditioning program" means a voluntary conditioning program that is available to all interested, accepted and registered students at a member school, is not restricted to members of a particular team, and in which sport-specific equipment and organized drills in the skills and techniques of a particular sport are prohibited.

"Dead period" means a period when interscholastic athletic-related activities, including informal instruction, open gym, school sponsored camps or clinics, team-associated commercial camps or clinics, and school sponsored league play are not permitted.

"DIAA" means the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association established pursuant to14Del.C.§301.

"Informal instruction" means drills to teach sport-specific skills with only demonstration-level contact permitted. Informal instruction does not involve team competitions, scrimmaging, or contests. Intentional or direct contact is not permitted.

"In-season" means the period of time from the beginning of the season until the last scheduled date for DIAA championships for the sport's season as provided in14DE Admin. Code1035In-Season Athletic Activities and Contact.

"Member school" means a full or associate member school of the DIAA.

"Open gym"means a time when a gym or facility is available for student lead unstructured athletic activities, such as: pickup basketball, volleyball, soccer, etc.; participating in fitness stations, running laps, and other student lead sport activities.

"Out-of-season" means the period of time from the end of the season until the next official starting practice date for that sport as provided in14DE Admin. Code1035In-Season Athletic Activities and Contact.

"Out-of-season league"means a league made up of school sponsored teams who compete against each other in a structured league format, outside of that sport's regular season. The league shall have established rules and definitive start and end dates.

"Practice" means working on skills for a particular sport within a single team at a member school as guided by coaches and includes team workouts and inner-team scrimmages.

"School sponsored" means a team made up of players from the school, coached by the schools coach, wearing the school colors, and using the school name or nickname. The team is endorsed by the school.

"Showcase" means an event during live NCAA recruiting periods for players to showcase their skills in front of college coaches.

"Summer" means the period of time from the last student day, until the first student day of the following school year.

"Travel team"means an organized competitive team that allows athletes to compete beyond the school team for a cost or fee. Travel teams are not school sponsored teams.

"Workout" means generic conditioning activities engaged in by individual student athletes, including aerobic, agility, balance, flexibility, and resistance training.

3.0 Applicability

1. 3.1 This regulation applies to all out-of-season coaching opportunities, including open gyms, workout and conditioning programs, informal instruction, and school based or commercial camps or clinics.

2. 3.2 Other requirements

   1. 3.2.1 Out-of-season athletic activities and contact must meet the safety standards required during in-season practice as provided in14DE Admin. Code1034Health and Safety Requirements
   2. 3.2.2 All DIAA heat and cold weather restrictions must be followed.
   3. 3.2.3 Student athlete participation shall be voluntary and not be directly or indirectly required by a coach.
   4. 3.2.4 All out of season coaching shall be approved by the member school.
   5. 3.2.5 A coach must obtain approval from the athletic director, principal, or head of school to have out-of-season instructional contact.
   6. 3.2.6 Any use of school equipment shall be approved by the athletic director, principal, or head of school. Protective equipment, the primary purpose of which is to protect the wearer from physical injury, may be used.
   7. 3.2.7 Use of school uniforms is prohibited.
   8. 3.2.8 A coach may be compensated for out-of-season coaching duties if the compensation is part of the coach's duties under the coach's employment contract or as part of an extra pay for extra responsibility (EPER) position.

4.0 Dead Periods

1. 4.1 Pre-season dead periods shall take place during the 7-day period before the start of the fall, winter, and spring seasons as defined in14DE Admin. Code1035In-Season Athletic Activities.

   1. 4.1.1 Coaches should not have any instructional contact during the 7-day pre-season dead period.
   2. 4.1.2 During the pre-season dead periods the only activities permitted are non-instructional meetings as defined in Section 10.0 of this regulation.

2. 4.2 In-season dead periods shall begin with the first permissible practice date of a sports season as provided in14DE Admin. Code1035In-Season Athletic Activities and Contact. Each season's dead period shall end 4 weeks after the first permissible practice date of the respective sports season as provided in14DE Admin. Code1035In-Season Athletic Activities and Contact.

   1. 4.2.1 The fall sports in-season dead period applies to all winter and spring sports teams and shall begin on the first day of the earliest sports practice for the member school. If the member schools football team starts early due to a week 0 game, this begins the dead period for the member school.
   2. 4.2.2 The winter sports in-season dead period applies to all fall and spring sports teams.
   3. 4.2.3 The spring sports in-season dead period applies to all fall and winter sports teams.
   4. 4.2.4 During the in-season dead period the only activities permitted are workouts and conditioning sessions as defined in Section 8.0 of this regulation.
3. 4.3 Student athletes should have at least 11 weeks of rest total in any given sport in a calendar year.

5.0 Academic Year

1. 5.1 The academic year runs from the first student day, until the last student day, and all dead periods as defined in Section 4.0 of this regulation apply.

2. 5.2 The following out-of-season coaching activities are permitted during the academic year:

   1. 5.2.1 Open gym;
   2. 5.2.2 Individual or team workouts and conditioning;
   3. 5.2.3 Informal instruction;
   4. 5.2.4 Non-instructional meetings;
   5. 5.2.5 School camps and clinics;
   6. 5.2.6 Commercial camps and clinics; and

   7. 5.2.7 Out-of-season league play so long as the following conditions are met:

      1. 5.2.7.1 Coaches may only coach players from the coach's school in 1 out-of-season league during the academic year;
      2. 5.2.7.2 Coaching staff may not split to coach in multiple leagues, but schools may field more than 1 team per league so long as student athletes do not participate on more than 1 team;
      3. 5.2.7.3 Coaches may not coach during the defined dead periods; and
      4. 5.2.7.4 Coaches do not coach in showcases or tournaments during the academic year.

6.0 Summer

1. 6.1 The summer period runs from the last student day, until the first student day of the following school year, and all dead periods as defined in Section 4.0 of this regulation apply.

2. 6.2 The following out-of-season coaching activities are permitted during the summer:

   1. 6.2.1 Open gym;
   2. 6.2.2 Individual or team workouts and conditioning;
   3. 6.2.3 Informal instruction;
   4. 6.2.4 Non-instructional meetings;
   5. 6.2.5 School camps and clinics;
   6. 6.2.6 Commercial camps, clinics, showcases; and
   7. 6.2.7 Out-of-season league play.

7.0 Open Gym Programs

1. 7.1 A member school may open its gymnasium or other facility for informal, recreational activities out-of-season and in the summer provided the requirements in Section 3.0 "Applicability" of this regulation, Section 4.0 "Dead Periods" of this regulation, and subsections 7.2 through 7.4 are met.
2. 7.2 The open gym program shall be available to all students accepted and registered in the member school and shall not be restricted to members of a particular team. The open gym program shall not be available to students who are not accepted and registered in the member school. The open gym period shall not be advertised as a sport specific open gym.
3. 7.3 The activities shall be student-generated. Sport-specific drills and competition with fixed team rosters are prohibited.
4. 7.4 A coach shall not provide instruction at an open gym program. The coach may provide equipment and supervise the activities at an open gym program out-of-season and in the summer.

8.0 Individual and Team Workouts and Conditioning Programs

1. 8.1 A member school may provide individual and team workouts and conditioning programs out-of-season and in the summer provided the requirements in Section 3.0 of this regulation and subsections 8.1.1 through 8.1.3 are met.

   1. 8.1.1 The workout session or conditioning program shall be available to all students accepted and registered in the member school and shall not be restricted to members of a particular team. The workout session or conditioning program shall not be available to students who are not accepted and registered in the member school.
   2. 8.1.2 Aerobic, agility, balance, flexibility, and resistance training are permitted. Sport-specific instruction and equipment are prohibited.
   3. 8.1.3 Coaches who supervise individual and team workouts and conditioning programs shall not provide sports specific instruction at individual or team workouts or conditioning programs. The coach may provide instruction or demonstration on proper and safe workout, conditioning, and strength training techniques. The coach may provide equipment and supervise workouts and conditioning programs out-of-season and in the summer.

9.0 Informal Instruction

1. 9.1 A member school may provide informal instruction out-of-season and in the summer provided the requirements in Sections 3.0 and 4.0 of this regulation and subsections 9.1.1 through 9.1.5 are met.

   1. 9.1.1 The informal instruction shall be open, voluntary, and equally available to all accepted and registered students. The informal instruction shall not be available to students who are not accepted and registered in the member school.
   2. 9.1.2 Informal instruction may be scheduled for a single session that occurs on 1 date or multiple sessions that occur over a period of time.
   3. 9.1.3 Informal instruction shall not exceed 2 hours per day and a maximum of 4 hours per week per student inclusive of all out-of-season interscholastic athletic activities.
   4. 9.1.4 Informal instruction should be scheduled during times that do not overlap with in-season practices or competitions.
   5. 9.1.5 Drills to teach sport-specific skills with only demonstration-level contact are permitted. Drills that involve direct or intentional physical contact are prohibited in all sports except wrestling. Team competitions or contests are prohibited.

10.0 Noninstructional Meetings

Coaches may hold noninstructional meetings for the purpose of distributing tryout schedules, medical forms, and parent permission slips to prospective team candidates and returning student athletes out-of-season and in the summer. Coaches shall not discuss strategy and techniques or permit or require any physical activity.

11.0 School Camps and Clinics

1. 11.1 A school camp or clinic is a camp or clinic that is open to all student athletes regardless of whether they are accepted and registered students at the school, is operated for profit as a school fundraiser or not-for-profit, and provides coaching or other sports training that is consistent with the DIAA's purpose as provided in14Del.C.§301.

2. 11.2 Coaches and member schools, including school organizations and school-related groups, such as booster clubs, shall meet the requirements in Sections 3.0 and 4.0 of this regulation and subsections 11.2.1 through 11.2.4.

   1. 11.2.1 The school camp or clinic shall be open, voluntary, and equally available to all students and shall not be restricted to members of a particular team.
   2. 11.2.2 The member school shall not host or fund a school camp or clinic that limits participation to its own teams.
   3. 11.2.3 A coach may provide instruction to any student athlete, including student athletes accepted and registered in the member school, at a school camp or clinic at the member school where the coach coaches out-of-season and in the summer.
   4. 11.2.4 A coach shall not host or fund a school camp or clinic that limits participation to members of the coach's school team.

12.0 Commercial Camps and Clinics

1. 12.1 A commercial camp or clinic is a camp or clinic that is operated for profit and provides coaching or other sports training for a fee. A commercial camp or clinic is run by a non-member school organization.

2. 12.2 Coaches and member schools, including school organizations and school-related groups, such as booster clubs, shall meet the requirements in Sections 3.0 and 4.0 of this regulation and subsections 12.2.1 through 12.2.8.

   1. 12.2.1 A coach may have instructional contact with student athletes of the coach's school team at a commercial camp or clinic out-of-season and in the summer.

   2. 12.2.2 During the academic year, the coach's instructional contact with returning student athletes at the commercial camp or clinic shall be limited to instruction to athletes up to 2 hours per day and a maximum of 4 hours per week on a school day. On non-school days the coach may provide instruction for up to 5 hours per day and a maximum of 4 days per week. During the summer, a coach may have instructional contact with returning student athletes at up to 3 commercial camps or clinics as follows:

      1. 12.2.2.1 For day camps and clinics, the coach may provide instruction to returning student athletes up to 8 hours per day for up to 5 days per week except during the dead periods provided in Section 4.0 of this regulation; and
      2. 12.2.2.2 For overnight camps and clinics, the coach may provide instruction to returning student athletes according to the agenda published by the camp or clinic except during the dead periods provided in Section 4.0 of this regulation.
   3. 12.2.3 During the summer, a coach may have instructional contact with returning student athletes at team-based camps. For the purpose of this regulation, a team camp is a sports training camp hosted by a college or university as a fundraiser for 1 day, overnight, or up to 4 days that a school team attends in an effort to strengthen the team's bond and to help the team learn to work together as a unit.
   4. 12.2.4 The commercial camp or clinic is sponsored by a non-school organization that is in good standing.
   5. 12.2.5 The commercial camp or clinic was advertised in print and online for at least 2 weeks prior to the start date of the camp or clinic.
   6. 12.2.6 The non-school organization conducting the commercial camp or clinic is insured.
   7. 12.2.7 The instructional contact is unpaid or the source of compensation for instructional contact not directly from the member school, student athlete, or athlete's family.
   8. 12.2.8 A coach may be compensated by the commercial camp or clinic for instructional contact with student athletes who are not on the coach's school team. A coach shall not be compensated by the member school at which they are employed, including school organizations and school-related groups, such as booster clubs, or by a student athlete or a student athlete's family. A coach may be compensated by the commercial camp or clinic for instructional contact with returning student athletes who are on the coach's school team if the source of compensation is not directly from the member school, student athlete, or athlete's family.

13.0 Out-of-Season League Play

1. 13.1 A coach may have instructional contact with student athletes who are returning members of the coach's school team in out-of-season leagues, out-of-season and in the summer provided the requirements in Sections 3.0 and 4.0 of this regulation and the following are met:

   1. 13.1.1 The out-of-season league is sponsored by a non-school organization;
   2. 13.1.2 The out-of-season league was advertised in print and online for at least 2 weeks prior to the start date of the activity, program, or team;
   3. 13.1.3 The organization conducting the out-of-season league is insured;
   4. 13.1.4 The coach holds organizational practices only if it is permitted by the written, pre-established rules of the league. If the league does not have written, pre-established rules regarding organizational practice, then organizational practice is not permitted;
   5. 13.1.5 No more than 1 organizational practice may be held per game;
   6. 13.1.6 The number of games and practices shall not exceed 3 in 1 week;
   7. 13.1.7 During the academic year, coaches do not coach in more than 1 out-of-season league;
   8. 13.1.8 Coaching staff do not split to coach in multiple leagues. Schools may field more than 1 team per league;
   9. 13.1.9 If schools field more than 1 team per league, no student athletes may participate on more than 1 team; and
   10. 13.1.10 The league does not overlap with the regular season or playoffs for the sport.
2. 13.2 Coaching in showcases or tournaments is not permitted during the academic year.

14.0 Non-school Athletic Activities, Programs, Travel Programs, Clubs, and Teams

1. 14.1 DIAA does not have jurisdiction over non-school athletic activities, programs, travel programs, clubs or teams conducted by outside organizations that are not affiliated with member schools even if school facilities are used.

2. 14.2 Member schools, including school organizations and school-related groups, such as booster clubs, shall meet the requirements in subsections 14.2.1 through 14.2.3.

   1. 14.2.1 The member school shall not provide any form of financial assistance or transportation to student athletes who participate in non-school athletic activities or programs or on non-school athletic teams.
   2. 14.2.2 The member school shall not provide equipment to a student athlete to use in non-school athletic activities, programs, travel programs, clubs, or teams. Notwithstanding the foregoing requirement, a principal or head of school may approve the use of school equipment by a student athlete if the organization conducting the non-school athletic activity, program, or team does not provide equipment and the principal or head of school believes that the student athlete lacks the resources to obtain such equipment.
   3. 14.2.3 The member school shall require student athletes to provide their own clothing so that the school's uniforms are not used.

3. 14.3 Coaches who provide instruction at non-school athletic activities, programs, travel programs, clubs, or teams shall meet the requirements in subsections 14.3.1 through 14.3.4.

   1. 14.3.1 A coach may have instructional contact with student athletes who are not returning members of the coach's school team at non-school athletic activities, programs, travel programs, clubs, or teams out-of-season and in the summer.

   2. 14.3.2 A coach may have instructional contact with student athletes who are returning members of the coach's school team at non-school athletic activities, programs, travel programs, clubs, or teams out-of-season and in the summer provided the requirements in subsections 14.3.2.1 through 14.3.2.12 are met.

      1. 14.3.2.1 The coach shall have obtained approval to have the instructional contact from the member school at which the coach coaches.
      2. 14.3.2.2 The coach shall not use the name of the member school at which the coach coaches.
      3. 14.3.2.3 The coach shall not directly or indirectly require a student athlete to participate in non-school athletic activities, programs, travel programs, clubs, or teams.
      4. 14.3.2.4 The non-school athletic activities, programs, travel programs, clubs, or teams are open and equally available to all student athletes.

      5. 14.3.2.5 The coach's instructional contact with returning student athletes at the non-school athletic activities, programs, travel programs, clubs, or teams shall be limited as follows:

         1. 14.3.2.5.1 For individual athletic activities out-of-season and in the summer, the coach may provide instruction to returning student athletes up to 2 hours per day except during the no-contact periods provided in subsection 14.3.2.8. The instruction shall not exceed a total of 4 hours per week.
         2. 14.3.2.5.2 For team-based athletic activities out-of-season, the coach may provide instruction to returning student athletes up to 2 hours per day and for a total of 4 hours per week except during the no-contact periods provided in subsection 14.3.2.8.
         3. 14.3.2.5.3 For team-based athletic activities during the summer, the coach may provide instruction to returning student athletes up to 5 hours per day and for a total of 4 days per week except during the no-contact periods provided in subsection 14.3.2.8.

      6. 14.3.2.6 The number of returning student athletes to whom the coach provides instruction at the non-school athletic activities, programs, travel programs, clubs, or teams shall not exceed the maximum number set forth below. If a coach provides instruction to both sexes in a sport, the maximum number of returning student athletes shall not exceed the maximum number of returning student athletes for each sex (e.g., up to 8 girls and 8 boys in outdoor track and field). For modified versions of the sports below (e.g., 7-on-7 football and 3-on-3 basketball), the maximum number of returning student athletes shall not exceed 80% of the number of players that would constitute a starting lineup in the modified sport.

         Sport	Maximum Number of Returning StudentAthletes
         Baseball	7
         Basketball	4
         Basketball (3v3)	2
         Cross Country	8
         Golf	4
         Field Hockey	9
         Field Hockey (6v6)	5
         Football	9
         Football (7v7)	6
         Indoor Track	8
         Lacrosse - Boys'	8
         Lacrosse - Girls'	10
         Soccer	9
         Soccer (6v6)	5
         Softball	7
         Swimming and Diving	8
         Tennis	4
         Track and Field	24
         Volleyball	5
         Wrestling	9

      7. 14.3.2.7 If the number of returning student athletes exceeds the maximum number permitted under subsection 14.3.2.6, the coach shall not have any instructional contact with any returning student athletes at any non-school athletic activities, programs, travel programs, clubs, or teams. Rotating players from the same school team is not permitted.
      8. 14.3.2.8 The coach shall not have any instructional contact with any returning student athletes during the 7-day period before the start of the fall, winter, and spring seasons as defined in14DE Admin. Code1035In-Season Athletic Activities and Contact.
      9. 14.3.2.9 The non-school athletic activities, programs, travel programs, clubs, or teams are sponsored by a non-school organization that is affiliated and in good standing with an overseeing national organization for a minimum of 1 year. For the purpose of subsection 14.3.2.9, national organizations include Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), Olympic Development Program (ODP), USA Track and Field (USATF), and USA Volleyball (USAV).
      10. 14.3.2.10 The non-school athletic activities, programs, travel programs, clubs, or teams were advertised in print and online for at least 2 weeks prior to the start date of the activity, program, or team.
      11. 14.3.2.11 The non-school organization conducting the activity, program, travel program, club, or team is insured.
      12. 14.3.2.12 The instructional contact is voluntary (i.e., not for pay) or the source of compensation for instructional contact is anonymous and equal for each member school, as provided in subsection 14.3.3, and as verified by the organization conducting the non-school athletic activity, program, travel program, club, or team.
   3. 14.3.3 A coach may be compensated for instructional contact with student athletes who are not on the coach's school team by the organization conducting the non-school athletic activities, programs, travel programs, clubs, or teams. A coach shall not be compensated by the member school at which they are employed, including school organizations and school-related groups, such as booster clubs, or by a student athlete or a student athlete's family. A coach may be compensated for instructional contact with returning student athletes who are on the coach's school team by the organization conducting the non-school athletic activity, program, or team if the source of compensation is not directly from the member school, student athlete, or athlete's family. For the purpose of Section 14.0 of this regulation, anonymous means that the origin of the funds in the source from which the coach is paid is unknown to coaches and participants.

4. 14.4 Student athletes may participate in non-school athletic activities, programs, travel programs, clubs, or teams out-of-season and in the summer provided the requirements in subsections 14.4.1 through 14.4.4 are met.

   1. 14.4.1 The student athlete shall participate unattached and not as a representative of the student athlete's member school.
   2. 14.4.2 The student athlete shall not wear the student athlete's member school's uniform.
   3. 14.4.3 The student athlete shall not use school equipment unless the student athlete has obtained the member school's approval as provided in subsection 14.2.2.
   4. 14.4.4 The student athlete's participation must be voluntary and not be required by the student athlete's school coach.

15.0 Violations and Penalties

The Board may investigate, conduct hearings, and impose penalties upon member schools, coaches, and student athletes for violations of any of the requirements of this regulation. Penalties for violating this regulation include a letter of reprimand, probation, suspension, fine, and any other action the Board deems appropriate.

29 DE Reg. 36 (07/01/25)

29 DE Reg. 36 (07/01/25)

29 DE Reg. 517 (12/01/25)

29 DE Reg. 36 (07/01/25)

29 DE Reg. 36 (07/01/25)

29 DE Reg. 517 (12/01/25)

29 DE Reg. 36 (07/01/25)

29 DE Reg. 517 (12/01/25)

29 DE Reg. 36 (07/01/25)

29 DE Reg. 517 (12/01/25)

29 DE Reg. 36 (07/01/25)

29 DE Reg. 517 (12/01/25)

29 DE Reg. 36 (07/01/25)

29 DE Reg. 517 (12/01/25)

29 DE Reg. 36 (07/01/25)

29 DE Reg. 517 (12/01/25)

29 DE Reg. 36 (07/01/25)

29 DE Reg. 36 (07/01/25)

29 DE Reg. 517 (12/01/25)

27 DE Reg. 861 (05/01/24)

29 DE Reg. 36 (07/01/25)

29 DE Reg. 517 (12/01/25)

29 DE Reg. 36 (07/01/25)

29 DE Reg. 517 (12/01/25)

26 DE Reg. 1053 (06/01/23)

29 DE Reg. 36 (07/01/25)

29 DE Reg. 517 (12/01/25)

26 DE Reg. 203 (09/01/22)

29 DE Reg. 36 (07/01/25)

26 DE Reg. 203 (09/01/22)

26 DE Reg. 1053 (06/01/23)

27 DE Reg. 861 (05/01/24)

29 DE Reg. 36 (07/01/25)

29 DE Reg. 517 (12/01/25)