| For any parents who have gone through the process, do you know what is the formula that MLS Next uses to determine eligibility? I heard is ratio of height relative to parents' average height, but any specifics would be super helpful. |
bethesda expert at this, ask away |
Does a Dr. have to sign off on or is it a basic fill out form thing? |
| What is the ratio that qualifies at U-13? |
No doctor signature needed and they don't ask parents' heights |
| What type of info do they ask for? My understanding is that being short is not the only criteria |
| Look up the *Mirwald* equation; it uses simple anthropometric data to estimate how far a youth player is from their Peak Height Velocity (PHV). |
By definition, being short wouldn't be part of the criteria. Late developers is supposed to measure expected change not levels. Someone on another thread said that after filling out a basic form, the club filed the paperwork with MLSN and if I remember correctly it is a once classified as a late developer you are always a late developer. A cynic could say that it can be abused of course. I would think that if mostly used for Q1 kids it would probably be true but if used for Q4 kids, it's a whatever. |
Is the Mirwald cutoff >14.4 years old? |
| there is no formula. |
|
There is no published criteria. You submit statistics to your club who then passes to MLS Next (only league allowing bio-banding). Those include DOB, height, weight, and seated height (torso). The club takes a photo of you with your current age group peers to demonstrate relative small statues and submits that to the league along with a couple of individual photos. Most clubs roster a kid with their birth year second team until MLS Next gives approval to play down a year.
To my knowledge, there are no statistical standard established for eligibility. That's a problem because it leads to using what is a great program for the wrong reason (competitive advantage). Bethesda abused the program last year and somewhat this year. Most others seem to be doing it right and even MLS academics will occasionally bioband smaller players, often as a safety measure for late developers playing with grown men. |
Thank you! Do you know how long the process takes, assuming your club is moving expeditiously? |
Personal experience is not until mid-August. Just before season starts. A bit nerve wrecking, for sure. But, have never heard of an application being denied. |
| All the kids we know who did it were bigger than my skinny short son who played in his own age group (and he’s a late grower). Brother grew 3 inches Freshmen year of college, he’s on that track |
If you don't mind me asking, when did your club start the process? Would it be possible to submit the data earlier? Let's say mid-may? Or do they need to wait for the prior season to officially end? |