ECNL moving to school year not calendar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am parent of a B - one of best on team though also one of youngest who has played up for years…he will absolutely be switching and playing with his grade group because his primary interest is getting recruited to play in college and facts are facts. Coaches don’t show up for U-19 games (which is the only age group when he would meet NCAA requirements). Sorry, not sorry. By U-17 it’s no longer about ‘developing’ it’s about being seen in the games you play. We don’t have thousands to fork out for ID camps all over the country once he is grade eligible at U-19. Can’t be seen if coaches bypass your age group. No matter how many emails you may send or how many videos you post- a coach wants ROI for their time- they go to games whete 80% of players are recruitable not 20. Coaches need to maximize their time.

College coaches can only watch a certain number of games during the showcase. Of course, they will spend their time watching U-17 games. Trapped players must be star players in the older grade team so the coach can remember them one year later.

Good luck with that. I am so sure a coach will remember a player a full 12 -18 months later. Not happening unless you are Cavan- and let’s be real 99.9% of kids are not good enough to be ‘remembered’ a full year later. Congrats if your kid is the top .1%. You don’t have to be to Cavan to play college. If this switch happens - my player will very happily be moving to a team where the kids are all in the same graduating class

My previous post points out the extra difficulty a trapped player has to face during college recruiting. You have to be a star player to stand out on the older grade team when they are juniors and you are a sophomore. Otherwise, the college coach will ignore you during the next showcase when they focus on the junior team, and you play on the senior team. No college coach will spend precious game time only watching you instead of the whole team unless you are truly special.

Very interesting. My child has a Dec bday and was just called up to their first USYNT ID camp. Plays for one of the top ECNL clubs in the country. I would definitely advocate for them to continue "playing up" on the same team for as long as possible to maximize the benefits of going against (slightly) older players.

RAE does put most kids at a disadvantage. But it might be the accelerator / difference-maker for some who can find a way to overcome those challenges, especially in the earlier years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am parent of a B - one of best on team though also one of youngest who has played up for years…he will absolutely be switching and playing with his grade group because his primary interest is getting recruited to play in college and facts are facts. Coaches don’t show up for U-19 games (which is the only age group when he would meet NCAA requirements). Sorry, not sorry. By U-17 it’s no longer about ‘developing’ it’s about being seen in the games you play. We don’t have thousands to fork out for ID camps all over the country once he is grade eligible at U-19. Can’t be seen if coaches bypass your age group. No matter how many emails you may send or how many videos you post- a coach wants ROI for their time- they go to games whete 80% of players are recruitable not 20. Coaches need to maximize their time.

College coaches can only watch a certain number of games during the showcase. Of course, they will spend their time watching U-17 games. Trapped players must be star players in the older grade team so the coach can remember them one year later.

Good luck with that. I am so sure a coach will remember a player a full 12 -18 months later. Not happening unless you are Cavan- and let’s be real 99.9% of kids are not good enough to be ‘remembered’ a full year later. Congrats if your kid is the top .1%. You don’t have to be to Cavan to play college. If this switch happens - my player will very happily be moving to a team where the kids are all in the same graduating class

My previous post points out the extra difficulty a trapped player has to face during college recruiting. You have to be a star player to stand out on the older grade team when they are juniors and you are a sophomore. Otherwise, the college coach will ignore you during the next showcase when they focus on the junior team, and you play on the senior team. No college coach will spend precious game time only watching you instead of the whole team unless you are truly special.

Very interesting. My child has a Dec bday and was just called up to their first USYNT ID camp. Plays for one of the top ECNL clubs in the country. I would definitely advocate for them to continue "playing up" on the same team for as long as possible to maximize the benefits of going against (slightly) older players.

RAE does put most kids at a disadvantage. But it might be the accelerator / difference-maker for some who can find a way to overcome those challenges, especially in the earlier years.

Your kid belongs to the 1%, which does not address the issue of the other 99% trapped players deserving a fair recruiting process against the same-grade players.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am parent of a B - one of best on team though also one of youngest who has played up for years…he will absolutely be switching and playing with his grade group because his primary interest is getting recruited to play in college and facts are facts. Coaches don’t show up for U-19 games (which is the only age group when he would meet NCAA requirements). Sorry, not sorry. By U-17 it’s no longer about ‘developing’ it’s about being seen in the games you play. We don’t have thousands to fork out for ID camps all over the country once he is grade eligible at U-19. Can’t be seen if coaches bypass your age group. No matter how many emails you may send or how many videos you post- a coach wants ROI for their time- they go to games whete 80% of players are recruitable not 20. Coaches need to maximize their time.

College coaches can only watch a certain number of games during the showcase. Of course, they will spend their time watching U-17 games. Trapped players must be star players in the older grade team so the coach can remember them one year later.

Good luck with that. I am so sure a coach will remember a player a full 12 -18 months later. Not happening unless you are Cavan- and let’s be real 99.9% of kids are not good enough to be ‘remembered’ a full year later. Congrats if your kid is the top .1%. You don’t have to be to Cavan to play college. If this switch happens - my player will very happily be moving to a team where the kids are all in the same graduating class

My previous post points out the extra difficulty a trapped player has to face during college recruiting. You have to be a star player to stand out on the older grade team when they are juniors and you are a sophomore. Otherwise, the college coach will ignore you during the next showcase when they focus on the junior team, and you play on the senior team. No college coach will spend precious game time only watching you instead of the whole team unless you are truly special.

Very interesting. My child has a Dec bday and was just called up to their first USYNT ID camp. Plays for one of the top ECNL clubs in the country. I would definitely advocate for them to continue "playing up" on the same team for as long as possible to maximize the benefits of going against (slightly) older players.

RAE does put most kids at a disadvantage. But it might be the accelerator / difference-maker for some who can find a way to overcome those challenges, especially in the earlier years.

If your child is able to play against older players and thrive they definitely should but many players need to develop with kids their own age for many years especially kids who have Q3/4 birthdays.

I feel like US soccer could help more kids if they went with school year but added in a “late development” clause for teams to use for a handful of players for each team. Allow coaches, clubs, and families to decide what’s best for each kids development.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am parent of a B - one of best on team though also one of youngest who has played up for years…he will absolutely be switching and playing with his grade group because his primary interest is getting recruited to play in college and facts are facts. Coaches don’t show up for U-19 games (which is the only age group when he would meet NCAA requirements). Sorry, not sorry. By U-17 it’s no longer about ‘developing’ it’s about being seen in the games you play. We don’t have thousands to fork out for ID camps all over the country once he is grade eligible at U-19. Can’t be seen if coaches bypass your age group. No matter how many emails you may send or how many videos you post- a coach wants ROI for their time- they go to games whete 80% of players are recruitable not 20. Coaches need to maximize their time.

College coaches can only watch a certain number of games during the showcase. Of course, they will spend their time watching U-17 games. Trapped players must be star players in the older grade team so the coach can remember them one year later.

Good luck with that. I am so sure a coach will remember a player a full 12 -18 months later. Not happening unless you are Cavan- and let’s be real 99.9% of kids are not good enough to be ‘remembered’ a full year later. Congrats if your kid is the top .1%. You don’t have to be to Cavan to play college. If this switch happens - my player will very happily be moving to a team where the kids are all in the same graduating class

My previous post points out the extra difficulty a trapped player has to face during college recruiting. You have to be a star player to stand out on the older grade team when they are juniors and you are a sophomore. Otherwise, the college coach will ignore you during the next showcase when they focus on the junior team, and you play on the senior team. No college coach will spend precious game time only watching you instead of the whole team unless you are truly special.

Very interesting. My child has a Dec bday and was just called up to their first USYNT ID camp. Plays for one of the top ECNL clubs in the country. I would definitely advocate for them to continue "playing up" on the same team for as long as possible to maximize the benefits of going against (slightly) older players.

RAE does put most kids at a disadvantage. But it might be the accelerator / difference-maker for some who can find a way to overcome those challenges, especially in the earlier years.

If your child is able to play against older players and thrive they definitely should but many players need to develop with kids their own age for many years especially kids who have Q3/4 birthdays.

I feel like US soccer could help more kids if they went with school year but added in a “late development” clause for teams to use for a handful of players for each team. Allow coaches, clubs, and families to decide what’s best for each kids development.

The problem is most coaches, clubs, and families care about winning not development. Any clause will be abused and not to benefit the kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am parent of a B - one of best on team though also one of youngest who has played up for years…he will absolutely be switching and playing with his grade group because his primary interest is getting recruited to play in college and facts are facts. Coaches don’t show up for U-19 games (which is the only age group when he would meet NCAA requirements). Sorry, not sorry. By U-17 it’s no longer about ‘developing’ it’s about being seen in the games you play. We don’t have thousands to fork out for ID camps all over the country once he is grade eligible at U-19. Can’t be seen if coaches bypass your age group. No matter how many emails you may send or how many videos you post- a coach wants ROI for their time- they go to games whete 80% of players are recruitable not 20. Coaches need to maximize their time.

College coaches can only watch a certain number of games during the showcase. Of course, they will spend their time watching U-17 games. Trapped players must be star players in the older grade team so the coach can remember them one year later.

Good luck with that. I am so sure a coach will remember a player a full 12 -18 months later. Not happening unless you are Cavan- and let’s be real 99.9% of kids are not good enough to be ‘remembered’ a full year later. Congrats if your kid is the top .1%. You don’t have to be to Cavan to play college. If this switch happens - my player will very happily be moving to a team where the kids are all in the same graduating class

My previous post points out the extra difficulty a trapped player has to face during college recruiting. You have to be a star player to stand out on the older grade team when they are juniors and you are a sophomore. Otherwise, the college coach will ignore you during the next showcase when they focus on the junior team, and you play on the senior team. No college coach will spend precious game time only watching you instead of the whole team unless you are truly special.

Very interesting. My child has a Dec bday and was just called up to their first USYNT ID camp. Plays for one of the top ECNL clubs in the country. I would definitely advocate for them to continue "playing up" on the same team for as long as possible to maximize the benefits of going against (slightly) older players.

RAE does put most kids at a disadvantage. But it might be the accelerator / difference-maker for some who can find a way to overcome those challenges, especially in the earlier years.

It's fine until about u-16. Come back to this post then when your kid is trying to get recruited. You will understand at that point.

[Anonymous]

The announcement will come in 6 weeks. Grad year is good for ECNL. It draws some talents from MLS and helps tremendously in college recruiting. They will do it.

[Anonymous]

If your kid has a September birthday and started school earlyish so is already playing with classmates, would they still have the option to play a year younger with this change?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am parent of a B - one of best on team though also one of youngest who has played up for years…he will absolutely be switching and playing with his grade group because his primary interest is getting recruited to play in college and facts are facts. Coaches don’t show up for U-19 games (which is the only age group when he would meet NCAA requirements). Sorry, not sorry. By U-17 it’s no longer about ‘developing’ it’s about being seen in the games you play. We don’t have thousands to fork out for ID camps all over the country once he is grade eligible at U-19. Can’t be seen if coaches bypass your age group. No matter how many emails you may send or how many videos you post- a coach wants ROI for their time- they go to games whete 80% of players are recruitable not 20. Coaches need to maximize their time.

College coaches can only watch a certain number of games during the showcase. Of course, they will spend their time watching U-17 games. Trapped players must be star players in the older grade team so the coach can remember them one year later.

Good luck with that. I am so sure a coach will remember a player a full 12 -18 months later. Not happening unless you are Cavan- and let’s be real 99.9% of kids are not good enough to be ‘remembered’ a full year later. Congrats if your kid is the top .1%. You don’t have to be to Cavan to play college. If this switch happens - my player will very happily be moving to a team where the kids are all in the same graduating class

My previous post points out the extra difficulty a trapped player has to face during college recruiting. You have to be a star player to stand out on the older grade team when they are juniors and you are a sophomore. Otherwise, the college coach will ignore you during the next showcase when they focus on the junior team, and you play on the senior team. No college coach will spend precious game time only watching you instead of the whole team unless you are truly special.

Very interesting. My child has a Dec bday and was just called up to their first USYNT ID camp. Plays for one of the top ECNL clubs in the country. I would definitely advocate for them to continue "playing up" on the same team for as long as possible to maximize the benefits of going against (slightly) older players.

RAE does put most kids at a disadvantage. But it might be the accelerator / difference-maker for some who can find a way to overcome those challenges, especially in the earlier years.

Being born in December doesn't automatically equate to Late Developer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am parent of a B - one of best on team though also one of youngest who has played up for years…he will absolutely be switching and playing with his grade group because his primary interest is getting recruited to play in college and facts are facts. Coaches don’t show up for U-19 games (which is the only age group when he would meet NCAA requirements). Sorry, not sorry. By U-17 it’s no longer about ‘developing’ it’s about being seen in the games you play. We don’t have thousands to fork out for ID camps all over the country once he is grade eligible at U-19. Can’t be seen if coaches bypass your age group. No matter how many emails you may send or how many videos you post- a coach wants ROI for their time- they go to games whete 80% of players are recruitable not 20. Coaches need to maximize their time.

College coaches can only watch a certain number of games during the showcase. Of course, they will spend their time watching U-17 games. Trapped players must be star players in the older grade team so the coach can remember them one year later.

Good luck with that. I am so sure a coach will remember a player a full 12 -18 months later. Not happening unless you are Cavan- and let’s be real 99.9% of kids are not good enough to be ‘remembered’ a full year later. Congrats if your kid is the top .1%. You don’t have to be to Cavan to play college. If this switch happens - my player will very happily be moving to a team where the kids are all in the same graduating class

My previous post points out the extra difficulty a trapped player has to face during college recruiting. You have to be a star player to stand out on the older grade team when they are juniors and you are a sophomore. Otherwise, the college coach will ignore you during the next showcase when they focus on the junior team, and you play on the senior team. No college coach will spend precious game time only watching you instead of the whole team unless you are truly special.

Very interesting. My child has a Dec bday and was just called up to their first USYNT ID camp. Plays for one of the top ECNL clubs in the country. I would definitely advocate for them to continue "playing up" on the same team for as long as possible to maximize the benefits of going against (slightly) older players.

RAE does put most kids at a disadvantage. But it might be the accelerator / difference-maker for some who can find a way to overcome those challenges, especially in the earlier years.

Your kid belongs to the 1%, which does not address the issue of the other 99% trapped players deserving a fair recruiting process against the same-grade players.

What's currently unfair about the recruiting process?
Did you reach out to college recruiters and they refused to show interest just because your kid is born Sep-Dec?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am parent of a B - one of best on team though also one of youngest who has played up for years…he will absolutely be switching and playing with his grade group because his primary interest is getting recruited to play in college and facts are facts. Coaches don’t show up for U-19 games (which is the only age group when he would meet NCAA requirements). Sorry, not sorry. By U-17 it’s no longer about ‘developing’ it’s about being seen in the games you play. We don’t have thousands to fork out for ID camps all over the country once he is grade eligible at U-19. Can’t be seen if coaches bypass your age group. No matter how many emails you may send or how many videos you post- a coach wants ROI for their time- they go to games whete 80% of players are recruitable not 20. Coaches need to maximize their time.

College coaches can only watch a certain number of games during the showcase. Of course, they will spend their time watching U-17 games. Trapped players must be star players in the older grade team so the coach can remember them one year later.

Good luck with that. I am so sure a coach will remember a player a full 12 -18 months later. Not happening unless you are Cavan- and let’s be real 99.9% of kids are not good enough to be ‘remembered’ a full year later. Congrats if your kid is the top .1%. You don’t have to be to Cavan to play college. If this switch happens - my player will very happily be moving to a team where the kids are all in the same graduating class

My previous post points out the extra difficulty a trapped player has to face during college recruiting. You have to be a star player to stand out on the older grade team when they are juniors and you are a sophomore. Otherwise, the college coach will ignore you during the next showcase when they focus on the junior team, and you play on the senior team. No college coach will spend precious game time only watching you instead of the whole team unless you are truly special.

Very interesting. My child has a Dec bday and was just called up to their first USYNT ID camp. Plays for one of the top ECNL clubs in the country. I would definitely advocate for them to continue "playing up" on the same team for as long as possible to maximize the benefits of going against (slightly) older players.

RAE does put most kids at a disadvantage. But it might be the accelerator / difference-maker for some who can find a way to overcome those challenges, especially in the earlier years.

If your child is able to play against older players and thrive they definitely should but many players need to develop with kids their own age for many years especially kids who have Q3/4 birthdays.

I feel like US soccer could help more kids if they went with school year but added in a “late development” clause for teams to use for a handful of players for each team. Allow coaches, clubs, and families to decide what’s best for each kids development.

So how are you going to make coaches select small late developers on their teams over bigger faster players?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am parent of a B - one of best on team though also one of youngest who has played up for years…he will absolutely be switching and playing with his grade group because his primary interest is getting recruited to play in college and facts are facts. Coaches don’t show up for U-19 games (which is the only age group when he would meet NCAA requirements). Sorry, not sorry. By U-17 it’s no longer about ‘developing’ it’s about being seen in the games you play. We don’t have thousands to fork out for ID camps all over the country once he is grade eligible at U-19. Can’t be seen if coaches bypass your age group. No matter how many emails you may send or how many videos you post- a coach wants ROI for their time- they go to games whete 80% of players are recruitable not 20. Coaches need to maximize their time.

College coaches can only watch a certain number of games during the showcase. Of course, they will spend their time watching U-17 games. Trapped players must be star players in the older grade team so the coach can remember them one year later.

Good luck with that. I am so sure a coach will remember a player a full 12 -18 months later. Not happening unless you are Cavan- and let’s be real 99.9% of kids are not good enough to be ‘remembered’ a full year later. Congrats if your kid is the top .1%. You don’t have to be to Cavan to play college. If this switch happens - my player will very happily be moving to a team where the kids are all in the same graduating class

My previous post points out the extra difficulty a trapped player has to face during college recruiting. You have to be a star player to stand out on the older grade team when they are juniors and you are a sophomore. Otherwise, the college coach will ignore you during the next showcase when they focus on the junior team, and you play on the senior team. No college coach will spend precious game time only watching you instead of the whole team unless you are truly special.

Very interesting. My child has a Dec bday and was just called up to their first USYNT ID camp. Plays for one of the top ECNL clubs in the country. I would definitely advocate for them to continue "playing up" on the same team for as long as possible to maximize the benefits of going against (slightly) older players.

RAE does put most kids at a disadvantage. But it might be the accelerator / difference-maker for some who can find a way to overcome those challenges, especially in the earlier years.

Your kid belongs to the 1%, which does not address the issue of the other 99% trapped players deserving a fair recruiting process against the same-grade players.

What's currently unfair about the recruiting process?
Did you reach out to college recruiters and they refused to show interest just because your kid is born Sep-Dec?

Yes- said they weren’t going to any u-19 games- only u-17.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am parent of a B - one of best on team though also one of youngest who has played up for years…he will absolutely be switching and playing with his grade group because his primary interest is getting recruited to play in college and facts are facts. Coaches don’t show up for U-19 games (which is the only age group when he would meet NCAA requirements). Sorry, not sorry. By U-17 it’s no longer about ‘developing’ it’s about being seen in the games you play. We don’t have thousands to fork out for ID camps all over the country once he is grade eligible at U-19. Can’t be seen if coaches bypass your age group. No matter how many emails you may send or how many videos you post- a coach wants ROI for their time- they go to games whete 80% of players are recruitable not 20. Coaches need to maximize their time.

College coaches can only watch a certain number of games during the showcase. Of course, they will spend their time watching U-17 games. Trapped players must be star players in the older grade team so the coach can remember them one year later.

Good luck with that. I am so sure a coach will remember a player a full 12 -18 months later. Not happening unless you are Cavan- and let’s be real 99.9% of kids are not good enough to be ‘remembered’ a full year later. Congrats if your kid is the top .1%. You don’t have to be to Cavan to play college. If this switch happens - my player will very happily be moving to a team where the kids are all in the same graduating class

My previous post points out the extra difficulty a trapped player has to face during college recruiting. You have to be a star player to stand out on the older grade team when they are juniors and you are a sophomore. Otherwise, the college coach will ignore you during the next showcase when they focus on the junior team, and you play on the senior team. No college coach will spend precious game time only watching you instead of the whole team unless you are truly special.

Very interesting. My child has a Dec bday and was just called up to their first USYNT ID camp. Plays for one of the top ECNL clubs in the country. I would definitely advocate for them to continue "playing up" on the same team for as long as possible to maximize the benefits of going against (slightly) older players.

RAE does put most kids at a disadvantage. But it might be the accelerator / difference-maker for some who can find a way to overcome those challenges, especially in the earlier years.

Being born in December doesn't automatically equate to Late Developer

They didn't mention being a late developer, only that RAE puts most kids at a disadvantage. RAE and late developer are not the same things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am parent of a B - one of best on team though also one of youngest who has played up for years…he will absolutely be switching and playing with his grade group because his primary interest is getting recruited to play in college and facts are facts. Coaches don’t show up for U-19 games (which is the only age group when he would meet NCAA requirements). Sorry, not sorry. By U-17 it’s no longer about ‘developing’ it’s about being seen in the games you play. We don’t have thousands to fork out for ID camps all over the country once he is grade eligible at U-19. Can’t be seen if coaches bypass your age group. No matter how many emails you may send or how many videos you post- a coach wants ROI for their time- they go to games whete 80% of players are recruitable not 20. Coaches need to maximize their time.

College coaches can only watch a certain number of games during the showcase. Of course, they will spend their time watching U-17 games. Trapped players must be star players in the older grade team so the coach can remember them one year later.

Good luck with that. I am so sure a coach will remember a player a full 12 -18 months later. Not happening unless you are Cavan- and let’s be real 99.9% of kids are not good enough to be ‘remembered’ a full year later. Congrats if your kid is the top .1%. You don’t have to be to Cavan to play college. If this switch happens - my player will very happily be moving to a team where the kids are all in the same graduating class

My previous post points out the extra difficulty a trapped player has to face during college recruiting. You have to be a star player to stand out on the older grade team when they are juniors and you are a sophomore. Otherwise, the college coach will ignore you during the next showcase when they focus on the junior team, and you play on the senior team. No college coach will spend precious game time only watching you instead of the whole team unless you are truly special.

Very interesting. My child has a Dec bday and was just called up to their first USYNT ID camp. Plays for one of the top ECNL clubs in the country. I would definitely advocate for them to continue "playing up" on the same team for as long as possible to maximize the benefits of going against (slightly) older players.

RAE does put most kids at a disadvantage. But it might be the accelerator / difference-maker for some who can find a way to overcome those challenges, especially in the earlier years.

Being born in December doesn't automatically equate to Late Developer

They didn't mention being a late developer, only that RAE puts most kids at a disadvantage. RAE and late developer are not the same things.

I thought RAE was only about the issue of delayed development and maturation compared to your age group?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am parent of a B - one of best on team though also one of youngest who has played up for years…he will absolutely be switching and playing with his grade group because his primary interest is getting recruited to play in college and facts are facts. Coaches don’t show up for U-19 games (which is the only age group when he would meet NCAA requirements). Sorry, not sorry. By U-17 it’s no longer about ‘developing’ it’s about being seen in the games you play. We don’t have thousands to fork out for ID camps all over the country once he is grade eligible at U-19. Can’t be seen if coaches bypass your age group. No matter how many emails you may send or how many videos you post- a coach wants ROI for their time- they go to games whete 80% of players are recruitable not 20. Coaches need to maximize their time.

College coaches can only watch a certain number of games during the showcase. Of course, they will spend their time watching U-17 games. Trapped players must be star players in the older grade team so the coach can remember them one year later.

Good luck with that. I am so sure a coach will remember a player a full 12 -18 months later. Not happening unless you are Cavan- and let’s be real 99.9% of kids are not good enough to be ‘remembered’ a full year later. Congrats if your kid is the top .1%. You don’t have to be to Cavan to play college. If this switch happens - my player will very happily be moving to a team where the kids are all in the same graduating class

My previous post points out the extra difficulty a trapped player has to face during college recruiting. You have to be a star player to stand out on the older grade team when they are juniors and you are a sophomore. Otherwise, the college coach will ignore you during the next showcase when they focus on the junior team, and you play on the senior team. No college coach will spend precious game time only watching you instead of the whole team unless you are truly special.

Very interesting. My child has a Dec bday and was just called up to their first USYNT ID camp. Plays for one of the top ECNL clubs in the country. I would definitely advocate for them to continue "playing up" on the same team for as long as possible to maximize the benefits of going against (slightly) older players.

RAE does put most kids at a disadvantage. But it might be the accelerator / difference-maker for some who can find a way to overcome those challenges, especially in the earlier years.

Your kid belongs to the 1%, which does not address the issue of the other 99% trapped players deserving a fair recruiting process against the same-grade players.

What's currently unfair about the recruiting process?
Did you reach out to college recruiters and they refused to show interest just because your kid is born Sep-Dec?

Yes- said they weren’t going to any u-19 games- only u-17.

You obviously didn't provide video and recommendations and references to the recruiters
If you're just waiting and hoping a recruiter comes to your kid's game and they shine in that game, you're playing the low odds

[Anonymous]

So if this happens, what would you do? For example, your DD is/ has been playing with classmates a year up for a few years, but is getting material minutes, starting and playing at the highest level at their age group but maybe not at one of the bigger clubs. Bubble chance of making ECNL in a year or two with older classmates and if they make it, then playing time could be limited, but who knows. Would you switch to one of the more competitive clubs in the area now or continue with current club (mid size) and level out once they are actually of age for ECNL/ GA? There are trade-offs when you think about building stronger friendships to then break off in a few years (ie pull band-aid off now) or continue to get the slightly higher challenge by playing with “older” kids, building more bonds, but not necessarily the highest level of competition as there are stronger clubs in the area playing at higher levels in tournaments. Are there other things to consider?