Age Change Discussion/Impacts (Except for August Birthdays Playing "Down")

[Anonymous]

Anyone who wants to have a substantive discussion regarding the age change at your current club, I'd love to discuss with you. Sadly, I have to exclude any August birthdays who might be misaligned as that is heavily covered in the other thread here: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1301107.page. Feel free to interact with those very engaged posters in that thread. For the other 99% of the soccer community - how is your club handling the age change? Mixed practices? Teams staying together despite the change? Please include your Age/approximate level as that has a big impact.

From the prior thread that got completely buried - My 2013G will be repeating "u13" and I'm quite happy about it. She made her ECNL team this year (not DMV) and gets quality minutes on a very competitive team. At this level players are constantly moving around so we're not too concerned about new teammates. We've made sure to keep her in the loop for each big announcement so she's had a while to process the move next year. My expectation that a very large portion of her team will be playing according to the new guidelines for U13 & up.

I will report anyone rehashes the same arguments in the other thread.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, I don’t know what else you folks are discussing.

“Playing down” and “repeating” are languages that are triggering fixed-mindset people. A one year age group is one year no matter what grade, start date, etc.

While numerous clubs, parents and coaches “play kids up” only a small percentage “should” and that should stay the same in the new bracketing. Get over your emotions and your team bond and learn how to be versatile.

This is a one year change and then it will be normal again. If your team substantially stays the same, cool. If your team materially changes, cool. Life is full of change. Get over it.

I think that sums it up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I don’t know what else you folks are discussing.

“Playing down” and “repeating” are languages that are triggering fixed-mindset people. A one year age group is one year no matter what grade, start date, etc.

While numerous clubs, parents and coaches “play kids up” only a small percentage “should” and that should stay the same in the new bracketing. Get over your emotions and your team bond and learn how to be versatile.

This is a one year change and then it will be normal again. If your team substantially stays the same, cool. If your team materially changes, cool. Life is full of change. Get over it.

I think that sums it up.

Agree with all of your points. It's an interesting topic that has many approaches and I'm interested in how clubs across the country are handling it now (especially after a winter break for many).

[Anonymous]

So without August birthdays playjng down a grade all you have is Aug-Dec birthdays that were playing up a grade in BY will now be playing withh their grade in SY.

Nobody has an issue with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So without August birthdays playjng down a grade all you have is Aug-Dec birthdays that were playing up a grade in BY will now be playing withh their grade in SY.

Nobody has an issue with this.

I'm more interested in how teams are being formed. There's a lot of people saying they want to keep teams together for social/continuity reasons. I'm wondering where that divide is level/age wise.

[Anonymous]

We've heard a rumor that our club (Top 30 Nationally) plans to leave current BY teams as is for Freshman and up teams even in SY. Letting the players age out with their friends on the teams that their used to.

All teams below Freshman would be shuffled for SY.

Multiple parents have asked about Aug birthdays but nothing has been relayed about them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've heard a rumor that our club (Top 30 Nationally) plans to leave current BY teams as is for Freshman and up teams even in SY. Letting the players age out with their friends on the teams that their used to.

All teams below Freshman would be shuffled for SY.

Multiple parents have asked about Aug birthdays but nothing has been relayed about them.

I bet this is for College recruiting as well. It would suck to restart all your communication with college coaches because of a team change, or a number change, or a level change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So without August birthdays playjng down a grade all you have is Aug-Dec birthdays that were playing up a grade in BY will now be playing withh their grade in SY.

Nobody has an issue with this.

I'm more interested in how teams are being formed. There's a lot of people saying they want to keep teams together for social/continuity reasons. I'm wondering where that divide is level/age wise.

We probably won’t know 100% how teams are going to be formed unless you are a parent that has had specific conversations with your coach/TD about your own child and they gave you insight. (For u-little)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So without August birthdays playjng down a grade all you have is Aug-Dec birthdays that were playing up a grade in BY will now be playing withh their grade in SY.

Nobody has an issue with this.

I'm more interested in how teams are being formed. There's a lot of people saying they want to keep teams together for social/continuity reasons. I'm wondering where that divide is level/age wise.

We probably won’t know 100% how teams are going to be formed unless you are a parent that has had specific conversations with your coach/TD about your own child and they gave you insight. (For u-little)

And this is the thread to share those experiences. Some people are are already having those discussions and it's helpful for others if you share them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you starting a new thread when you aready have one and then saying you will report anyone who doesn't support what you are saying? Why the drama?

There is no agreeing/disagreeing - if you want to talk about Aug players go there. This about how clubs and families are being impacted in every other scenario.

Again if you take August players out of the mix changing from BY to SY is no big deal.

The only players impacted will be HS level who are in the college recruitment phase.

I guess people might have issues with Jersey numbers. But clubs will use this an an opportunity for them to make more $$$ forcing everyone to buy a new kit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you starting a new thread when you aready have one and then saying you will report anyone who doesn't support what you are saying? Why the drama?

There is no agreeing/disagreeing - if you want to talk about Aug players go there. This about how clubs and families are being impacted in every other scenario.

Again if you take August players out of the mix changing from BY to SY is no big deal.

The only players impacted will be HS level who are in the college recruitment phase.

I guess people might have issues with Jersey numbers. But clubs will use this an an opportunity for them to make more $$$ forcing everyone to buy a new kit.

You say no big deal, but what about kids who've been with the same core group for years? Are some clubs going to try to stick together for one last run? All thoughts I've heard from other parents discussing this at practices/games. Some fully think they'll stick together when it's pretty clear they're being misled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you starting a new thread when you aready have one and then saying you will report anyone who doesn't support what you are saying? Why the drama?

There is no agreeing/disagreeing - if you want to talk about Aug players go there. This about how clubs and families are being impacted in every other scenario.

Again if you take August players out of the mix changing from BY to SY is no big deal.

The only players impacted will be HS level who are in the college recruitment phase.

I guess people might have issues with Jersey numbers. But clubs will use this an an opportunity for them to make more $$$ forcing everyone to buy a new kit.

You say no big deal, but what about kids who've been with the same core group for years? Are some clubs going to try to stick together for one last run? All thoughts I've heard from other parents discussing this at practices/games. Some fully think they'll stick together when it's pretty clear they're being misled.

I guess if you feel that strongly about it you need to speak with your DOC and get their feedback.

[Anonymous]

Our club has done nothing but send an email the change is coming for the fall. Players will be placed based on the new guidelines but also taking into account graduation year.

I dont expect to see any changes or announcements until player placement during the tryout period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you starting a new thread when you aready have one and then saying you will report anyone who doesn't support what you are saying? Why the drama?

There is no agreeing/disagreeing - if you want to talk about Aug players go there. This about how clubs and families are being impacted in every other scenario.

Again if you take August players out of the mix changing from BY to SY is no big deal.

The only players impacted will be HS level who are in the college recruitment phase.

I guess people might have issues with Jersey numbers. But clubs will use this an an opportunity for them to make more $$$ forcing everyone to buy a new kit.

Players playing with or without their grade isn't the club's issue, they aren't forcing players to play up an age group. Focusing clubs trying to force grade year has always been a red herring.

The question is how forceful are clubs in trying to push players back an age group so everyone plays in their respective age groups and if they allow any/many players to play up to stay with their current teams. The verbage has been wishy washy on this and interest has been high.

As a parent, tough to guide the kid until you see the new competition invited to the practices.

[Anonymous]

Our club has held age group ID sessions already for our top 2 levels, which also attracted outsiders. Our top levels are in strong national platforms.

They specifically required kids to play with their new age group, while noting that some plays may ultimately play up.

Watching these you really see the interesting things, such as 2nd team players who are older hold their own with 1st teamers from the younger group. Some 2nd team players already are doing some practices with the 1st team down. Clearly, the club is starting its internal sorting process.

At older groups, there is a lot of concern among parents about wanting to stay with their classmates. Maybe because people are more honest at this stage vs. guarded it's more open since the trajectory of your kid (college OR just HS) is pretty clear. The sense I get from the talk I hear is there'll be more flexibility with this group about playing up vs. the youngers.