I'm new to Big Soccer, but I've been checking out this website for a while. It seems like there are lots of knowledgeable and passionate soccer fans here, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm hoping that some current or former D1 players can respond. What is involved in transferring? Is it common or rare in D1 soccer? Do players have to sit out like in basketball? How truthful are college coaches? What is the best way to find out a good fit for a player? Are there good players who are just not "cut out" for the college game? I've been following college soccer personally and professionally for 20 years, and it's my opinion that college soccer is not soccer, at least from a purist point of view. I've observed that college soccer is a game with a constant frantic pace, mass substitutions, and long balls that bypass the midfield. If you're not a Project 40 player coming out of high school, but you're good, are there other options besides college soccer? Thanks much.
Although not a player I am very familiar with transfering between schools. You need permission to talk with other coaches from your current coach from that point on you will need to determine where you might fit at another school. It is more common than you might think. The current coach holds the future regarding sitting out a year or not. If you are not transferring to a school in the same conference usually the coach won't give you a hard time. If you are trying to stay in the conference you may need to sit out--each conference has its own rules. The majority of coaches are truthful. They usually don't have any reason to hide things from a prospective transfer. The best fit for a player will depend on the needs of the coach and the player. The player needs to determine what they want to do with their soccer career, if they are a starter or good off the bench and can they live with either role. There is a place for every player to play but you need to understand your skill level, desire and where you rank against your peers. That would apply to other soccer opportunities outside of college. If you have not been noticed by the national coaches or the ODP process you need to be able to show why you should be considered. There are plenty of excellent players that did not have national team exposure until they were older. Above all, communicate with the coaches or clubs and let them know about the player. It is the old sell yourself drill because no one else will. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the post. I guess like in anything else, timing is the key. Glad to hear that most coaches don't make kids sit out a year. Given that the recruiting calendar is in full swing for 2003, if a kid wants to transfer, should he wait until the end of the fall season before he gets permission to talk to other schools?
Soccer is one of the NCAA sports that gets a one time exemption for transfers, intra-league rules notwithstanding. Since discussions with any other programs require a release from the school, it's pretty unusual that a player could obtain that release during the actual season. The player will also need to be specific about which schools he has in mind, as the release is not a blanket.
If the transfer does happen, it won't be to a school in the same conference, that is certain. What is the one time exemption rule? Also, if the player waits until the end of the season to get a release, is December too late for schools? Thanks.
If the coach releases the player then they don't have to do a year of residency at the new school before they can play (at the D1 level). With football and basketball there is no exemption from this rule. All of these rules are explained in the Division 1 Manual found on this page at the NCAA site (http://www.ncaa.org/library/membership.html.) The information on transfers is contained in Article 14.