9 Key Rules You Need to Know for the NCAA Preseason

The NCAA preseason is upon us! This is the time when NCAA athletes are gearing up for the regular season. It also marks a time when college coaches are looking to recruit younger athletes for their teams and when the NCAA has released rule changes for the 2022-2023 year. Here, we’ll take a look at nine different Division I NCAA preseason rules that you probably didn’t know. 

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Preparing for Preseason: Unofficial-Official Rules

The following rules may not be official, but athletes will want to follow them if they’re going to have success during the preseason, especially their first preseason. So here are a few key ones.

1. Fitness tests

Although it’s not an official NCAA rule, the majority of D I college soccer programs conduct different fitness tests. For example, the beep test is used to test cardio endurance–athletes will line up and have a certain amount of time to run from point A to point B. Most programs will conduct these in the preseason, midseason, and even postseason. So, athletes need to be ready. In addition, most programs will give out a summer training schedule, so it’s essential to follow it and prepare for the physical demands of preseason training. 

2. Know How to Juggle 

Again, this is more of an unwritten rule. Juggling is a fundamental soccer skill every college athlete needs to have locked down. It’ll come into play during preseason, practice, and overall boost your touch on the ball. Along with this, athletes need to know how to complete push-ups, burpees, and all of those fun exercises. 

3. Have a High Soccer IQ

Another unofficial rule is that athletes need to have a high soccer IQ. There is no room for confusion or delay in the preseason, so athletes will want to know the ins and outs of every aspect of the college game, including the new NCAA rule changes.

Official Preseason Recruiting Rules

As you probably know, college recruiting follows some pretty strict rules, especially for D I soccer. Here are the specifics you probably didn’t know for how colleges can contact athletes. 

1. College coaches can’t contact high school athletes before June 15 after their sophomore year

Up until June 15 of high school athletes’ sophomore year, only they can reach out to coaches. This is key because the majority of D I college coaches will start evaluating talent starting in ninth grade. It’s important to know that athletes can reach out to colleges, but only after this June 15 date can coaches contact players, but communication specifically about recruitment is still not allowed

2. August 1 of high schooler’s junior year marks the day where they can make on-campus visits

August 1 before 11th grade is when coaches and athletic departments can reach out regarding recruitment, college visits, and meetings. This is when players can make official or unofficial college visits, and athletic departments may reach out with an offer. 

3. Social media

Social media is tricky for athletes looking to be recruited and current college athletes. You are representing your team and your school as a college athlete. Overall, social media can really have an impact on your college athletic career, so exercise good judgment and keep it clean.

Recent Rules Changes in NCAA women’s soccer

The following are the major new NCAA rules changes you probably weren’t aware of that will be in effect this year. 

1. No more overtime in regular season games

No more overtime will result in less player fatigue and more draws in regular season play. 

2. Overtime in the postseason

Overtime in the postseason will still be in effect, and both periods of OT will be completed. There won’t be any more sudden victory if a team scores in OT.

3. Video review

The use of video review has now been expanded to check if a foul was committed within the penalty box. 

Featured image via @hawkeyesoccer on Instagram

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