Basically, an ATHLETIC DEAD PERIOD means that there can be NO athletic practices, workouts, "open gyms/facilities," weight room sessions, passing leagues, summer leagues...In other words, all athletic activity shuts down during a Dead Period across NC!  It's a time to take a brief break, go on a family vacation, relax, head to the beach, sleep in, etc before athletic workouts start up again... Enjoy yourself with NO athletic schedules!

There are TWO Summer Dead Periods built around July 4th holidays (July1-7) and the NC Coaches Clinic (July 15-21). Other Dead Periods are held during the athletic school year usually (1) at the beginning of a sport season to allow student-athletes to "try-out" for other teams without any work-out conflicts/competition with other sports and (2) at the end of a semester to allow for exam  preparation (1st Sem=last 5 days; 2nd Sem=last 10 days). Dead Periods allow a student the chance to become a multi-sport student-athlete if they desire.

See below for a more detailed explanation - Dead Periods are strictly enforced by the NCHSAA:

During the “Summer Dead Periods” no NCHSAA member school-sponsored activities may be organized or conducted by any NCHSAA coach or school staff member (whether full-time, part-time, or volunteer) that involve students at NCHSAA member schools.

School-sponsored activities include any of the following (i.e. these activities MAY NOT be done):

• Activities, other than Third-Party Outings and Bona Fide Competitions (both as defined below), conducted (1) at any NCHSAA member school; or (2) at any location if the activity is organized or controlled by an NCHSAA member school, coach or staff member (whether full-time, part-time or volunteer) (e.g., summer skills development or camps, open facilities, conditioning exercises, laps around the school track, etc.);
• Activities at any location where attendance by students is deemed mandatory, whether actual or perceived (e.g., coach organizes an event away from school property and states, suggests or implies in any way that any students not attending will suffer consequences of any kind … whether this means making a team, enjoying playing time, becoming team captain, etc.);

Examples of activities that would be considered “non-school-sponsored activities” and MAY be done:

• Third-Party Outings:  Coach or staff member takes students to a third-party camp at a non-NCHSAA member school (e.g., college-sponsored summer skills or team camp, etc.) where attendance by students is NOT deemed mandatory, whether actual or perceived (as described above);
• Bona Fide Competitions:  An organized league is conducted through a bona fide third party organization where (1) the organization purchases appropriate liability insurance and pays for all game-related expenses (e.g., facilities, staffing, etc.); (2) students are not required to attend or participate; (3) student transportation is not provided by NCHSAA member school vehicles; and (4) students use their own equipment.

As always, please contact the NCHSAA with any questions