ECNL moving to school year not calendar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The great repeat year in American soccer

The BY advocates won't agree, but the reality is that the Q4 players have been playing up since the fall of 2016. The kids the grade up aren't your peers. And you're the youngest. The Q4s who survive this long should do well when they get to "repeat" a year - which is just the opportunity to play with their school year peers. Hopefully that process starts in 25/26 and just becomes "formal" in 26/27.

What you say is actually proven. The 4Q players that are still playing competitively at U13 / U14 / U15 end up don’t better than their older peers when they’re grown and there are no longer material physical development differences between players born a year or less apart.

Don’t better? But I agree have a Q3 daughter plays/starts ECNL and I’m hoping she is good enough to stay on the 11/12 team. But would be fun to watch her play with the 13/12 sometimes. Just to see what it’s like being a Q1 kid.

End up doing better than their peers.

It makes sense. As a younger player going against older and bigger kids, if you are still competing at a high level when you are 13, 14, and 15 years old it means your skill level is higher and your soccer IQ is also higher.

My boy is a late December 2010 baby and is a bit of a late developer. One thing I started noticing at around age 10 is that he made very quick decisions - one or two touch passes. Clean first touches and control. Accurate passes. Good vision. Technical dribbling.

I think he knew he was too small to try to compete physically with his teammates and opponents, so he adapted.

Now what happens when he is no longer 3-5 inches shorter and 20-30 pounds lighter than his competitors?

https://www.fifatrainingcentre.com/en/community/research-brief/find/kelly-the-relative-age-effect-in-an-english-professional-club.php#

For the BY to SY transition, this likely means that any younger kids who have already been identified as good players are going to have their journey to the top rapidly accelerated. Many of these kids were headed to the top of the team eventually anyway, but this will cause it to happen in 1-2 years instead of 5-10. These kids will need some time to turn the new physical advantages into increased confidence, and learn to pair them with the other parts of their game that have been keeping them competitive. Clubs really should be in an absolute scramble right now to recruit late birthdays who are in the middle to top of their current teams (especially in the U11-U15 range). These kids are going to be carrying teams in the following years.

Dad of November 2014 girl here, and our DOC has literally never pulled me aside at practice to chat about her before until this week, now she's all excited to talk to me about her future with the club and what they might do next year to prepare for 26/27. Only now do I understand why Q1 kids parents are upset, they've been getting this treatment all along and honestly, I'm sure they're gonna miss it!

Truth!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The great repeat year in American soccer

The BY advocates won't agree, but the reality is that the Q4 players have been playing up since the fall of 2016. The kids the grade up aren't your peers. And you're the youngest. The Q4s who survive this long should do well when they get to "repeat" a year - which is just the opportunity to play with their school year peers. Hopefully that process starts in 25/26 and just becomes "formal" in 26/27.

What you say is actually proven. The 4Q players that are still playing competitively at U13 / U14 / U15 end up don’t better than their older peers when they’re grown and there are no longer material physical development differences between players born a year or less apart.

Don’t better? But I agree have a Q3 daughter plays/starts ECNL and I’m hoping she is good enough to stay on the 11/12 team. But would be fun to watch her play with the 13/12 sometimes. Just to see what it’s like being a Q1 kid.

I'm seeing a lot of parents of Q4 players having a favorable view of the change, excited at the prospect of watching their kid play younger players. I'm a Q4 parent and admit I'm looking forward to watching.

But this view doesn't always align with how kids view it. My Q4 daughter wants to stay on her team, and views the switch to SY as forcing her to "play down". Her other Q4 teammates have a similar pessimistic outlook of it while their parents think it's great, lol. My daughter cares more about getting better and staying on her pretty successful team. The younger age group isn't as strong in their division and I get her point. I hope she can play up but with the way our club operates it's likely not happening.

It’s all perception. Anyone can argue anything or think whatever they want. But it’s not your or anyone’s else’s one kid going down to the next age group but thousands of kids now being transitioned into a whole new soccer eco system.

Play on whatever team you want but the current Q3 will be no different than the current Q1s it’s the exact same thing. No one is telling January kids to play up currently nor should they expect Sept kids to do so.

[Anonymous]

I have a different take on this.

Parent of a late Dec player on a top ECNL club. Leading scorer, US Talent ID Center, etc. Has always been one of the best players on birth year team despite being youngest and even a late developer.

While some parents are salivating at the prospect of their kid playing down and dominating their SY peers, I'm concerned the advantages reaped from having played against older, more mature birth year peers over the years might diminish.

Would prefer to keep them in as challenging an environment for as long as possible until puberty runs its course and the physical playing field is leveled ... and thereby maximize long-term benefits over short-term success.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a different take on this.

Parent of a late Dec player on a top ECNL club. Leading scorer, US Talent ID Center, etc. Has always been one of the best players on birth year team despite being youngest and even a late developer.

While some parents are salivating at the prospect of their kid playing down and dominating their SY peers, I'm concerned the advantages reaped from having played against older, more mature birth year peers over the years might diminish.

Would prefer to keep them in as challenging an environment for as long as possible until puberty runs its course and the physical playing field is leveled ... and thereby maximize long-term benefits over short-term success.

Exactly. For my Q4 daughter, I'm left questioning how I spin it to her that playing U13 for two years is a good thing. Lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The great repeat year in American soccer

The BY advocates won't agree, but the reality is that the Q4 players have been playing up since the fall of 2016. The kids the grade up aren't your peers. And you're the youngest. The Q4s who survive this long should do well when they get to "repeat" a year - which is just the opportunity to play with their school year peers. Hopefully that process starts in 25/26 and just becomes "formal" in 26/27.

What you say is actually proven. The 4Q players that are still playing competitively at U13 / U14 / U15 end up don’t better than their older peers when they’re grown and there are no longer material physical development differences between players born a year or less apart.

Don’t better? But I agree have a Q3 daughter plays/starts ECNL and I’m hoping she is good enough to stay on the 11/12 team. But would be fun to watch her play with the 13/12 sometimes. Just to see what it’s like being a Q1 kid.

End up doing better than their peers.

It makes sense. As a younger player going against older and bigger kids, if you are still competing at a high level when you are 13, 14, and 15 years old it means your skill level is higher and your soccer IQ is also higher.

My boy is a late December 2010 baby and is a bit of a late developer. One thing I started noticing at around age 10 is that he made very quick decisions - one or two touch passes. Clean first touches and control. Accurate passes. Good vision. Technical dribbling.

I think he knew he was too small to try to compete physically with his teammates and opponents, so he adapted.

Now what happens when he is no longer 3-5 inches shorter and 20-30 pounds lighter than his competitors?

https://www.fifatrainingcentre.com/en/community/research-brief/find/kelly-the-relative-age-effect-in-an-english-professional-club.php#

For the BY to SY transition, this likely means that any younger kids who have already been identified as good players are going to have their journey to the top rapidly accelerated. Many of these kids were headed to the top of the team eventually anyway, but this will cause it to happen in 1-2 years instead of 5-10. These kids will need some time to turn the new physical advantages into increased confidence, and learn to pair them with the other parts of their game that have been keeping them competitive. Clubs really should be in an absolute scramble right now to recruit late birthdays who are in the middle to top of their current teams (especially in the U11-U15 range). These kids are going to be carrying teams in the following years.

This is very interesting. Thanks for sharing. I’ve come across similar studies in other countries.

It’s really not complicated. If you’ve played competitively for years as a younger and potentially much smaller player and still perform well, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to conclude that those players will flourish as soon as their disadvantages disappear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a different take on this.

Parent of a late Dec player on a top ECNL club. Leading scorer, US Talent ID Center, etc. Has always been one of the best players on birth year team despite being youngest and even a late developer.

While some parents are salivating at the prospect of their kid playing down and dominating their SY peers, I'm concerned the advantages reaped from having played against older, more mature birth year peers over the years might diminish.

Would prefer to keep them in as challenging an environment for as long as possible until puberty runs its course and the physical playing field is leveled ... and thereby maximize long-term benefits over short-term success.

If she’s that good she can still play up? No one will make your extremely talented kid play their age group.
Mak the 14 year old pro player her age group. Get over yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a different take on this.

Parent of a late Dec player on a top ECNL club. Leading scorer, US Talent ID Center, etc. Has always been one of the best players on birth year team despite being youngest and even a late developer.

While some parents are salivating at the prospect of their kid playing down and dominating their SY peers, I'm concerned the advantages reaped from having played against older, more mature birth year peers over the years might diminish.

Would prefer to keep them in as challenging an environment for as long as possible until puberty runs its course and the physical playing field is leveled ... and thereby maximize long-term benefits over short-term success.

Exactly. For my Q4 daughter, I'm left questioning how I spin it to her that playing U13 for two years is a good thing. Lol

If she’s good enough to play keep her up if she’s no longer good enough tell her the truth.

[Anonymous]

Play up is easier to say than achieve it in the top team. Our younger MLSN has 2 players committed to play MLS Academy next year. None of them can play up in our team. I only see play down so far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The great repeat year in American soccer

The BY advocates won't agree, but the reality is that the Q4 players have been playing up since the fall of 2016. The kids the grade up aren't your peers. And you're the youngest. The Q4s who survive this long should do well when they get to "repeat" a year - which is just the opportunity to play with their school year peers. Hopefully that process starts in 25/26 and just becomes "formal" in 26/27.

What you say is actually proven. The 4Q players that are still playing competitively at U13 / U14 / U15 end up don’t better than their older peers when they’re grown and there are no longer material physical development differences between players born a year or less apart.

Don’t better? But I agree have a Q3 daughter plays/starts ECNL and I’m hoping she is good enough to stay on the 11/12 team. But would be fun to watch her play with the 13/12 sometimes. Just to see what it’s like being a Q1 kid.

End up doing better than their peers.

It makes sense. As a younger player going against older and bigger kids, if you are still competing at a high level when you are 13, 14, and 15 years old it means your skill level is higher and your soccer IQ is also higher.

My boy is a late December 2010 baby and is a bit of a late developer. One thing I started noticing at around age 10 is that he made very quick decisions - one or two touch passes. Clean first touches and control. Accurate passes. Good vision. Technical dribbling.

I think he knew he was too small to try to compete physically with his teammates and opponents, so he adapted.

Now what happens when he is no longer 3-5 inches shorter and 20-30 pounds lighter than his competitors?

https://www.fifatrainingcentre.com/en/community/research-brief/find/kelly-the-relative-age-effect-in-an-english-professional-club.php#

For the BY to SY transition, this likely means that any younger kids who have already been identified as good players are going to have their journey to the top rapidly accelerated. Many of these kids were headed to the top of the team eventually anyway, but this will cause it to happen in 1-2 years instead of 5-10. These kids will need some time to turn the new physical advantages into increased confidence, and learn to pair them with the other parts of their game that have been keeping them competitive. Clubs really should be in an absolute scramble right now to recruit late birthdays who are in the middle to top of their current teams (especially in the U11-U15 range). These kids are going to be carrying teams in the following years.

💯

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Play up is easier to say than achieve it in the top team. Our younger MLSN has 2 players committed to play MLS Academy next year. None of them can play up in our team. I only see play down so far.

And one of them is only 2 months younger than my son who was supposed to be Jan. baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a different take on this.

Parent of a late Dec player on a top ECNL club. Leading scorer, US Talent ID Center, etc. Has always been one of the best players on birth year team despite being youngest and even a late developer.

While some parents are salivating at the prospect of their kid playing down and dominating their SY peers, I'm concerned the advantages reaped from having played against older, more mature birth year peers over the years might diminish.

Would prefer to keep them in as challenging an environment for as long as possible until puberty runs its course and the physical playing field is leveled ... and thereby maximize long-term benefits over short-term success.

Exactly. For my Q4 daughter, I'm left questioning how I spin it to her that playing U13 for two years is a good thing. Lol

My duaghter's 2011 ECNL team has a 2013 that plays a lot. If your kids are good they can still play up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a different take on this.

Parent of a late Dec player on a top ECNL club. Leading scorer, US Talent ID Center, etc. Has always been one of the best players on birth year team despite being youngest and even a late developer.

While some parents are salivating at the prospect of their kid playing down and dominating their SY peers, I'm concerned the advantages reaped from having played against older, more mature birth year peers over the years might diminish.

Would prefer to keep them in as challenging an environment for as long as possible until puberty runs its course and the physical playing field is leveled ... and thereby maximize long-term benefits over short-term success.

Exactly. For my Q4 daughter, I'm left questioning how I spin it to her that playing U13 for two years is a good thing. Lol

If she’s good enough to play keep her up if she’s no longer good enough tell her the truth.

That's not completely the parent's decision. Clubs of course are going to want the best possible players for each "new" AG.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a different take on this.

Parent of a late Dec player on a top ECNL club. Leading scorer, US Talent ID Center, etc. Has always been one of the best players on birth year team despite being youngest and even a late developer.

While some parents are salivating at the prospect of their kid playing down and dominating their SY peers, I'm concerned the advantages reaped from having played against older, more mature birth year peers over the years might diminish.

Would prefer to keep them in as challenging an environment for as long as possible until puberty runs its course and the physical playing field is leveled ... and thereby maximize long-term benefits over short-term success.

Exactly. For my Q4 daughter, I'm left questioning how I spin it to her that playing U13 for two years is a good thing. Lol

My duaghter's 2011 ECNL team has a 2013 that plays a lot. If your kids are good they can still play up.

That is extremely rare and unlikely for most clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a different take on this.

Parent of a late Dec player on a top ECNL club. Leading scorer, US Talent ID Center, etc. Has always been one of the best players on birth year team despite being youngest and even a late developer.

While some parents are salivating at the prospect of their kid playing down and dominating their SY peers, I'm concerned the advantages reaped from having played against older, more mature birth year peers over the years might diminish.

Would prefer to keep them in as challenging an environment for as long as possible until puberty runs its course and the physical playing field is leveled ... and thereby maximize long-term benefits over short-term success.

Exactly. For my Q4 daughter, I'm left questioning how I spin it to her that playing U13 for two years is a good thing. Lol

Here's an idea - tell the kid that the team won't be staying the same. Kids who are more than a year older are now going to be on the team - and playing against you. Things will change. Don't make the mistake of thinking it's all going to be the same and I want to stay on "my team." Your team will change whether you want it to or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a different take on this.

Parent of a late Dec player on a top ECNL club. Leading scorer, US Talent ID Center, etc. Has always been one of the best players on birth year team despite being youngest and even a late developer.

While some parents are salivating at the prospect of their kid playing down and dominating their SY peers, I'm concerned the advantages reaped from having played against older, more mature birth year peers over the years might diminish.

Would prefer to keep them in as challenging an environment for as long as possible until puberty runs its course and the physical playing field is leveled ... and thereby maximize long-term benefits over short-term success.

Also parent of a late Dec player in ECNL RL. He was ECNL last year at 13U then there was a club take over so he got shifted to RL this year. Forgot where I was going with this but excited to finally see him play with his peers!