A player can redshirt at any time throughout his or her collegiate career. College athletes can only play for four years in a five-year span, therefore red shirting is essential if a player misses a season. A player who has redshirted will not count against a school's limit of two seasons of playing college football. Many factors go into determining when a player should redshirt including age, injury history, and potential for improvement. For example, a young player with no injuries could potentially improve the team by sitting out a season. On the other hand, a older player who has already seen his best days as a player could possibly benefit from a year off to prepare for a future career outside of sports. Players can also choose to redshirt because their school does not have any games that season. Some schools may prefer having one more year of eligibility because it gives them one final chance to win before players are no longer eligible to play. Other schools may prefer having one less year of eligibility because it makes competition for spots on teams more competitive. Regardless of the reason, players have the right to redshirt if they want to. In conclusion, a soccer player can redshirt at any time during his or her collegiate career. The decision should be done based on opportunity costs as well as improvement prospects.