hi guys- i have a question ... what are the D-1 transfer rules for soccer in a nutshell? it is my understanding that if a student athlete transfers from one D-1 school to another, they have to sit out a year? or is that wrong? thanks elaine
Technically, a player can be required to sit out a year but, in almost every case (in women's soccer at least), the requirement is waived (by the coach of the team they transfer from).
The player doesn't have to sit out a year. Most of the time, the ex-coach won't jeopardize the player's eligibility if the transfer was to a school from outside the conference. But if the player were to transfer to a school within the same conference, the ex-coach might decide to have the player sit a year.
Yes, they do have to sit out a year. It is just that 90% of the coaches release the player so they do not. The power is all in the ex-coaches hands. If they release her, she can play right away. If they do not release her, she has to sit at least one year. See Charisse Co transferring from Georgia to Texas two years ago. She had to sit a year at Texas because the Georgia coach did not allow her. Some conferences have even stricter penalties if you transfer within the conference.
The NCAA allows 1 free transfer without a player being required to sit out a year, provided that the player is officially released.