The scouting of opponents is an important part of competition from the high school level through the professional ranks.  Rules are attached to scouting opponents and contain harsh penalties if broken; just ask the New England Patriots.

The NCAA dedicates Bylaw 11.6 to scouting opponents.  Please take the time to read through 11.6 in order to better educate yourself on the rules for your sport.  Basketball and Women's Volleyball have different rules than all other sports.

Basketball and Women's Volleyball

In basketball and women's volleyball, off-campus, in-person scouting of opponents is prohibited, except as provided in Bylaw 11.6.1.1.  NCAA Bylaw 11.6.1.

An institution may pay the expenses of a member of its coaching staff to attend a regular-season or postseason tournament or, in basketball, a double-header event in which the institution's intercollegiate team is a participant. Under such circumstances, the individual may scout future opponents also participating in the same tournament at the same site or, in basketball, the same double-header event at the same site, without being subject to the scouting prohibition.  NCAA Bylaw 11.6.1.1.

A basketball or volleyball staff member is not precluded from attending a contest that involves future opponents, provided the coaching staff member is a parent or legal guardian, spouse or sibling of a participant (e.g., player, coach) in the contest. Under such circumstances it is not permissible for the coach to engage in any scouting activities.

All Other Sports

In sports other than basketball, football and women's volleyball, a member institution shall not pay or permit the payment of expenses incurred by its athletics department staff members or representatives (including professional scouting services) to scout its opponents or individuals who represent its opponents, except as provided in Bylaw 11.6.3 in lacrosse.  A coaching staff member who receives any expenses from the institution related to recruiting shall not scout an institution's opponents in conjunction with such travel.  NCAA Bylaw 11.6.2.

Therefore, while it remains permissible in sports other than basketball, football and women's volleyball to scout future opponents at any time, an institution may not pay or reimburse athletics department staff members or boosters for expenses incurred while scouting.

An institution may pay the expenses of a member of its coaching staff to attend a regular-season or postseason tournament in which the institution's intercollegiate team is a participant.  Under such circumstances, the individual may scout future tournament opponents also participating in the same tournament at the same site.  NCAA Bylaw 11.6.2.1.