Playing Soccer During a Gap Year?

I'd love to continue playing soccer during my gap year. Are there specific programs designed for soccer players? How do these programs impact athletic recruitment for college? Would appreciate any details about training or matches.

Absolutely, there are soccer programs and academies that cater to gap-year students. One popular type of gap year program is known as a "soccer academy" or "football academy" (using the international term for the sport). These are often run by professional clubs or independent organizations, and they can provide an intensive training environment akin to a junior professional program. You'd typically train on a daily basis, participate in matches, and receive coaching from experienced football professionals.

An important aspect to remember is, that during your gap year, you have to still adhere to NCAA rules if you wish to play at the college level upon your return. One NCAA rule to bear in mind is that any gap year must not exceed one academic year following your high school graduation; if you break this rule, you'll lose one year of college athletic eligibility for each year you delay enrolment.

Regarding the impact on athletic recruitment, participating in a high-level soccer program during your gap year can be a positive, as it allows you to continue developing your skills, gain more experience, and perhaps even get noticed by college coaches. However, while you're abroad, you'll need to keep up with the college application and recruitment process. This might involve sending updated footage of your matches to coaches, maintaining communication with schools that you're interested in, and possibly traveling back to the US for official college visits or to attend college athletics showcases.

In terms of soccer training, you can expect it to be fairly intensive in these programs, often involving daily fitness workouts, strategy sessions, and technical skills practice. You would likely compete in matches against other teams within your age group or division around the local area or country.

To find the right program for you, consider factors like the training regimen, the credentials of the coaching staff, the competitiveness of the league you'll be playing in, and the location's appeal to you. Remember, a gap year can also be about exploring a new culture and growing as a person, not just improving as an athlete.

Lastly, keep in mind that taking a gap year does entail delaying your academic pursuits. So, think about how this break will affect your long-term goals and ensure that you have a solid plan for when you return to academia. Make sure you stay academically engaged during this time, whether through online coursework, reading, or other forms of learning to smoothly transition back into a college setting when your gap year is over.