ECNL moving to school year not calendar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our GA coach told us last night the club (also has MLSN) is switching to SY for fall of 26

Did he specify GA ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our GA coach told us last night the club (also has MLSN) is switching to SY for fall of 26

Did he specify GA ?

He spoke to us individually after practice and said the entire club. My daughter is a fall birthday on the GA team. Not sure why he would say something otherwise.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Parents are not going to hold back their kids for soccer to the point that it would be an issue. Most elite players play up and do not need or want to play down an age group.

GY to me makes sense because it simplifies teams and keeps kid in the same group as their grade. Also if a kid was held back they should be allowed to play sports while they are in high school.

There are plenty of shenanigans with players being held back in basketball... So its not like it can't happen, there are plenty of examples out there.

What do you mean by plenty? 1 kid per team, 2 kids per team, 1 kid per 5 teams? That would still be between 1-10% of players? The majority will not hold back kids for sports especially on the girls side. I would be willing to bet the girls side has more kids who started early than started late.

If there are so few then a strict SY cutoff should be fine then. Sounds good to me.

You could make the argument both ways. One just aligns all kids with their school grade. If players are great they do not fear competition if there are some holdbacks let the kids get their boots on and compete.

This sounds like the same thing BY people are saying why they don’t want SY kids. Let the sept/dec kids put their boots on and compete.
Just still with strict date like it has always been!

To prove your pint, a family friend has a kid that is a five star football player, probably top 2-3 QB in the 2026 recruiting class. He was held back a year so that he could be this super star. The year he was held back, he wasn’t even top 200.

So many stories like that. Especially boys sports where a year can make such a huge difference.

The problem with holdbacks is once one parent does it with their kid and is successful because of it others will do the same. Also the of age players get their opportunity taken away from them by an older kid who's playing down.

As an example take the GY person that keeps posting an unsubstantiated lie about ECNL moving to GY for olders showcases. How would you feel about it after spending 2-3k to attend some showcase. If a kid a year older started over you kid in front of scouts? See how stupid this is?

Exactly, I dont understand how that would even work. We're going to allow players in prime recruiting ages get pushed to the side by players a year older who've already had a year of playing in front of scouts at events?

For what wins? It's an olders showcase nobody cares. The only situation where this might make sense is if players have already signed commitments and dont care about playing their senior year.

Showcases are for recruiting not wins. Kids of the same GY are competing for the same spots regardless of age. I don’t understand your argument.

Love the comments about people "cheating" by allowing their older kid to play in a showcase with kids in the same graduating class as them. Or worried about it taking playtime form other kids.

The reason ECNL may do this is because it is what college coaches are asking for! They survey the coaches who come to their showcases seeking improvements. and one of the top things coaches list time after time is having to watch players in a game and have to figure out what class they are in. They want to be able to show up to a game and know everyone is Class fo 2027 or Class of 2028, etc.

College coaches aren't paying 2k-3k for their kid to attend a showcase at some far off location. Parents are + these are the kids that should be playing in front of the scouts not some kid playing down because they didn't get recruited the season before.

Parents are paying that because the coaches are there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents are not going to hold back their kids for soccer to the point that it would be an issue. Most elite players play up and do not need or want to play down an age group.

GY to me makes sense because it simplifies teams and keeps kid in the same group as their grade. Also if a kid was held back they should be allowed to play sports while they are in high school.

There are plenty of shenanigans with players being held back in basketball... So its not like it can't happen, there are plenty of examples out there.

What do you mean by plenty? 1 kid per team, 2 kids per team, 1 kid per 5 teams? That would still be between 1-10% of players? The majority will not hold back kids for sports especially on the girls side. I would be willing to bet the girls side has more kids who started early than started late.

If there are so few then a strict SY cutoff should be fine then. Sounds good to me.

You could make the argument both ways. One just aligns all kids with their school grade. If players are great they do not fear competition if there are some holdbacks let the kids get their boots on and compete.

This sounds like the same thing BY people are saying why they don’t want SY kids. Let the sept/dec kids put their boots on and compete.
Just still with strict date like it has always been!

To prove your pint, a family friend has a kid that is a five star football player, probably top 2-3 QB in the 2026 recruiting class. He was held back a year so that he could be this super star. The year he was held back, he wasn’t even top 200.

So many stories like that. Especially boys sports where a year can make such a huge difference.

The problem with holdbacks is once one parent does it with their kid and is successful because of it others will do the same. Also the of age players get their opportunity taken away from them by an older kid who's playing down.

As an example take the GY person that keeps posting an unsubstantiated lie about ECNL moving to GY for olders showcases. How would you feel about it after spending 2-3k to attend some showcase. If a kid a year older started over you kid in front of scouts? See how stupid this is?

Exactly, I dont understand how that would even work. We're going to allow players in prime recruiting ages get pushed to the side by players a year older who've already had a year of playing in front of scouts at events?

For what wins? It's an olders showcase nobody cares. The only situation where this might make sense is if players have already signed commitments and dont care about playing their senior year.

Showcases are for recruiting not wins. Kids of the same GY are competing for the same spots regardless of age. I don’t understand your argument.

Love the comments about people "cheating" by allowing their older kid to play in a showcase with kids in the same graduating class as them. Or worried about it taking playtime form other kids.

The reason ECNL may do this is because it is what college coaches are asking for! They survey the coaches who come to their showcases seeking improvements. and one of the top things coaches list time after time is having to watch players in a game and have to figure out what class they are in. They want to be able to show up to a game and know everyone is Class fo 2027 or Class of 2028, etc.

College coaches aren't paying 2k-3k for their kid to attend a showcase at some far off location. Parents are + these are the kids that should be playing in front of the scouts not some kid playing down because they didn't get recruited the season before.

That’s not how it works? To my knowledge kids can’t be held back in high school. It would be for kids who started late or early so they can play with their school grade.

Also the way the BY system works currently it allows for kids to graduate high school and play another year of ECNL if they aren’t playing college.

So if anything you should be in favor of making sure it’s for high school ages only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents are not going to hold back their kids for soccer to the point that it would be an issue. Most elite players play up and do not need or want to play down an age group.

GY to me makes sense because it simplifies teams and keeps kid in the same group as their grade. Also if a kid was held back they should be allowed to play sports while they are in high school.

There are plenty of shenanigans with players being held back in basketball... So its not like it can't happen, there are plenty of examples out there.

What do you mean by plenty? 1 kid per team, 2 kids per team, 1 kid per 5 teams? That would still be between 1-10% of players? The majority will not hold back kids for sports especially on the girls side. I would be willing to bet the girls side has more kids who started early than started late.

If there are so few then a strict SY cutoff should be fine then. Sounds good to me.

You could make the argument both ways. One just aligns all kids with their school grade. If players are great they do not fear competition if there are some holdbacks let the kids get their boots on and compete.

This sounds like the same thing BY people are saying why they don’t want SY kids. Let the sept/dec kids put their boots on and compete.
Just still with strict date like it has always been!

To prove your pint, a family friend has a kid that is a five star football player, probably top 2-3 QB in the 2026 recruiting class. He was held back a year so that he could be this super star. The year he was held back, he wasn’t even top 200.

So many stories like that. Especially boys sports where a year can make such a huge difference.

The problem with holdbacks is once one parent does it with their kid and is successful because of it others will do the same. Also the of age players get their opportunity taken away from them by an older kid who's playing down.

As an example take the GY person that keeps posting an unsubstantiated lie about ECNL moving to GY for olders showcases. How would you feel about it after spending 2-3k to attend some showcase. If a kid a year older started over you kid in front of scouts? See how stupid this is?

Exactly, I dont understand how that would even work. We're going to allow players in prime recruiting ages get pushed to the side by players a year older who've already had a year of playing in front of scouts at events?

For what wins? It's an olders showcase nobody cares. The only situation where this might make sense is if players have already signed commitments and dont care about playing their senior year.

Showcases are for recruiting not wins. Kids of the same GY are competing for the same spots regardless of age. I don’t understand your argument.

Love the comments about people "cheating" by allowing their older kid to play in a showcase with kids in the same graduating class as them. Or worried about it taking playtime form other kids.

The reason ECNL may do this is because it is what college coaches are asking for! They survey the coaches who come to their showcases seeking improvements. and one of the top things coaches list time after time is having to watch players in a game and have to figure out what class they are in. They want to be able to show up to a game and know everyone is Class fo 2027 or Class of 2028, etc.

Yeah it is very strange. I guess the argument is that there are a bunch of kids (already?!) failing multiple grades in order to stay behind in case ECNL enacts this rule for U16+ in the year 2026? It really doesn't make sense. In 99.9% of cases it would be some juniors getting to play with juniors (even though they are technically a year up but were born in July or August and started school late) and/or some seniors getting to play with seniors (even though they are technically a year up but were born in July or August and started school late).

I get not wanting this for every age group, I think the proposed strict cut off of SY age ranges is fine for U8-U16. But allowing a few exceptions for juniors and seniors is just a no-brainer.

With SY+60 all trapped players go away so you wouldn't have exceptions at u16 and above. Other than the players that are intentionally getting held back in school.

Change it to SY+30 and I am thinking about getting on board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents are not going to hold back their kids for soccer to the point that it would be an issue. Most elite players play up and do not need or want to play down an age group.

GY to me makes sense because it simplifies teams and keeps kid in the same group as their grade. Also if a kid was held back they should be allowed to play sports while they are in high school.

There are plenty of shenanigans with players being held back in basketball... So its not like it can't happen, there are plenty of examples out there.

What do you mean by plenty? 1 kid per team, 2 kids per team, 1 kid per 5 teams? That would still be between 1-10% of players? The majority will not hold back kids for sports especially on the girls side. I would be willing to bet the girls side has more kids who started early than started late.

If there are so few then a strict SY cutoff should be fine then. Sounds good to me.

You could make the argument both ways. One just aligns all kids with their school grade. If players are great they do not fear competition if there are some holdbacks let the kids get their boots on and compete.

This sounds like the same thing BY people are saying why they don’t want SY kids. Let the sept/dec kids put their boots on and compete.
Just still with strict date like it has always been!

To prove your pint, a family friend has a kid that is a five star football player, probably top 2-3 QB in the 2026 recruiting class. He was held back a year so that he could be this super star. The year he was held back, he wasn’t even top 200.

So many stories like that. Especially boys sports where a year can make such a huge difference.

The problem with holdbacks is once one parent does it with their kid and is successful because of it others will do the same. Also the of age players get their opportunity taken away from them by an older kid who's playing down.

As an example take the GY person that keeps posting an unsubstantiated lie about ECNL moving to GY for olders showcases. How would you feel about it after spending 2-3k to attend some showcase. If a kid a year older started over you kid in front of scouts? See how stupid this is?

Exactly, I dont understand how that would even work. We're going to allow players in prime recruiting ages get pushed to the side by players a year older who've already had a year of playing in front of scouts at events?

For what wins? It's an olders showcase nobody cares. The only situation where this might make sense is if players have already signed commitments and dont care about playing their senior year.

Showcases are for recruiting not wins. Kids of the same GY are competing for the same spots regardless of age. I don’t understand your argument.

Love the comments about people "cheating" by allowing their older kid to play in a showcase with kids in the same graduating class as them. Or worried about it taking playtime form other kids.

The reason ECNL may do this is because it is what college coaches are asking for! They survey the coaches who come to their showcases seeking improvements. and one of the top things coaches list time after time is having to watch players in a game and have to figure out what class they are in. They want to be able to show up to a game and know everyone is Class fo 2027 or Class of 2028, etc.

College coaches aren't paying 2k-3k for their kid to attend a showcase at some far off location. Parents are + these are the kids that should be playing in front of the scouts not some kid playing down because they didn't get recruited the season before.

That’s not how it works? To my knowledge kids can’t be held back in high school. It would be for kids who started late or early so they can play with their school grade.

Also the way the BY system works currently it allows for kids to graduate high school and play another year of ECNL if they aren’t playing college.

So if anything you should be in favor of making sure it’s for high school ages only.

It’s possible to reclass in high school but not common. Usually involves graduating early. I only know of one player who reclassed to move down and a year and that is because the player started school early. Before reclassing they had to showcase with the age group older to be on the correct recruiting cycle. Reclassing down allowed them to be recruited from their correct age group team and take a gap year after high school. Reclassing down did bring up questions from college coaches although in this situation the player had an appropriate reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our GA coach told us last night the club (also has MLSN) is switching to SY for fall of 26

Can you tell us which club?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents are not going to hold back their kids for soccer to the point that it would be an issue. Most elite players play up and do not need or want to play down an age group.

GY to me makes sense because it simplifies teams and keeps kid in the same group as their grade. Also if a kid was held back they should be allowed to play sports while they are in high school.

There are plenty of shenanigans with players being held back in basketball... So its not like it can't happen, there are plenty of examples out there.

What do you mean by plenty? 1 kid per team, 2 kids per team, 1 kid per 5 teams? That would still be between 1-10% of players? The majority will not hold back kids for sports especially on the girls side. I would be willing to bet the girls side has more kids who started early than started late.

If there are so few then a strict SY cutoff should be fine then. Sounds good to me.

You could make the argument both ways. One just aligns all kids with their school grade. If players are great they do not fear competition if there are some holdbacks let the kids get their boots on and compete.

This sounds like the same thing BY people are saying why they don’t want SY kids. Let the sept/dec kids put their boots on and compete.
Just still with strict date like it has always been!

To prove your pint, a family friend has a kid that is a five star football player, probably top 2-3 QB in the 2026 recruiting class. He was held back a year so that he could be this super star. The year he was held back, he wasn’t even top 200.

So many stories like that. Especially boys sports where a year can make such a huge difference.

The problem with holdbacks is once one parent does it with their kid and is successful because of it others will do the same. Also the of age players get their opportunity taken away from them by an older kid who's playing down.

As an example take the GY person that keeps posting an unsubstantiated lie about ECNL moving to GY for olders showcases. How would you feel about it after spending 2-3k to attend some showcase. If a kid a year older started over you kid in front of scouts? See how stupid this is?

Exactly, I dont understand how that would even work. We're going to allow players in prime recruiting ages get pushed to the side by players a year older who've already had a year of playing in front of scouts at events?

For what wins? It's an olders showcase nobody cares. The only situation where this might make sense is if players have already signed commitments and dont care about playing their senior year.

Showcases are for recruiting not wins. Kids of the same GY are competing for the same spots regardless of age. I don’t understand your argument.

Love the comments about people "cheating" by allowing their older kid to play in a showcase with kids in the same graduating class as them. Or worried about it taking playtime form other kids.

The reason ECNL may do this is because it is what college coaches are asking for! They survey the coaches who come to their showcases seeking improvements. and one of the top things coaches list time after time is having to watch players in a game and have to figure out what class they are in. They want to be able to show up to a game and know everyone is Class fo 2027 or Class of 2028, etc.

College coaches aren't paying 2k-3k for their kid to attend a showcase at some far off location. Parents are + these are the kids that should be playing in front of the scouts not some kid playing down because they didn't get recruited the season before.

That’s not how it works? To my knowledge kids can’t be held back in high school. It would be for kids who started late or early so they can play with their school grade.

Also the way the BY system works currently it allows for kids to graduate high school and play another year of ECNL if they aren’t playing college.

So if anything you should be in favor of making sure it’s for high school ages only.

There’s a whole industry in SoCal around athletes holding back in 8th grade. They do their second year of 8th grade in training facilities such as em speed and winners circle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents are not going to hold back their kids for soccer to the point that it would be an issue. Most elite players play up and do not need or want to play down an age group.

GY to me makes sense because it simplifies teams and keeps kid in the same group as their grade. Also if a kid was held back they should be allowed to play sports while they are in high school.

There are plenty of shenanigans with players being held back in basketball... So its not like it can't happen, there are plenty of examples out there.

What do you mean by plenty? 1 kid per team, 2 kids per team, 1 kid per 5 teams? That would still be between 1-10% of players? The majority will not hold back kids for sports especially on the girls side. I would be willing to bet the girls side has more kids who started early than started late.

If there are so few then a strict SY cutoff should be fine then. Sounds good to me.

You could make the argument both ways. One just aligns all kids with their school grade. If players are great they do not fear competition if there are some holdbacks let the kids get their boots on and compete.

This sounds like the same thing BY people are saying why they don’t want SY kids. Let the sept/dec kids put their boots on and compete.
Just still with strict date like it has always been!

To prove your pint, a family friend has a kid that is a five star football player, probably top 2-3 QB in the 2026 recruiting class. He was held back a year so that he could be this super star. The year he was held back, he wasn’t even top 200.

So many stories like that. Especially boys sports where a year can make such a huge difference.

The problem with holdbacks is once one parent does it with their kid and is successful because of it others will do the same. Also the of age players get their opportunity taken away from them by an older kid who's playing down.

As an example take the GY person that keeps posting an unsubstantiated lie about ECNL moving to GY for olders showcases. How would you feel about it after spending 2-3k to attend some showcase. If a kid a year older started over you kid in front of scouts? See how stupid this is?

Exactly, I dont understand how that would even work. We're going to allow players in prime recruiting ages get pushed to the side by players a year older who've already had a year of playing in front of scouts at events?

For what wins? It's an olders showcase nobody cares. The only situation where this might make sense is if players have already signed commitments and dont care about playing their senior year.

Showcases are for recruiting not wins. Kids of the same GY are competing for the same spots regardless of age. I don’t understand your argument.

Love the comments about people "cheating" by allowing their older kid to play in a showcase with kids in the same graduating class as them. Or worried about it taking playtime form other kids.

The reason ECNL may do this is because it is what college coaches are asking for! They survey the coaches who come to their showcases seeking improvements. and one of the top things coaches list time after time is having to watch players in a game and have to figure out what class they are in. They want to be able to show up to a game and know everyone is Class fo 2027 or Class of 2028, etc.

College coaches aren't paying 2k-3k for their kid to attend a showcase at some far off location. Parents are + these are the kids that should be playing in front of the scouts not some kid playing down because they didn't get recruited the season before.

That’s not how it works? To my knowledge kids can’t be held back in high school. It would be for kids who started late or early so they can play with their school grade.

Also the way the BY system works currently it allows for kids to graduate high school and play another year of ECNL if they aren’t playing college.

So if anything you should be in favor of making sure it’s for high school ages only.

It’s possible to reclass in high school but not common. Usually involves graduating early. I only know of one player who reclassed to move down and a year and that is because the player started school early. Before reclassing they had to showcase with the age group older to be on the correct recruiting cycle. Reclassing down allowed them to be recruited from their correct age group team and take a gap year after high school. Reclassing down did bring up questions from college coaches although in this situation the player had an appropriate reason.

Can you do that at public school or only at a prep school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents are not going to hold back their kids for soccer to the point that it would be an issue. Most elite players play up and do not need or want to play down an age group.

GY to me makes sense because it simplifies teams and keeps kid in the same group as their grade. Also if a kid was held back they should be allowed to play sports while they are in high school.

There are plenty of shenanigans with players being held back in basketball... So its not like it can't happen, there are plenty of examples out there.

What do you mean by plenty? 1 kid per team, 2 kids per team, 1 kid per 5 teams? That would still be between 1-10% of players? The majority will not hold back kids for sports especially on the girls side. I would be willing to bet the girls side has more kids who started early than started late.

If there are so few then a strict SY cutoff should be fine then. Sounds good to me.

You could make the argument both ways. One just aligns all kids with their school grade. If players are great they do not fear competition if there are some holdbacks let the kids get their boots on and compete.

This sounds like the same thing BY people are saying why they don’t want SY kids. Let the sept/dec kids put their boots on and compete.
Just still with strict date like it has always been!

To prove your pint, a family friend has a kid that is a five star football player, probably top 2-3 QB in the 2026 recruiting class. He was held back a year so that he could be this super star. The year he was held back, he wasn’t even top 200.

So many stories like that. Especially boys sports where a year can make such a huge difference.

The problem with holdbacks is once one parent does it with their kid and is successful because of it others will do the same. Also the of age players get their opportunity taken away from them by an older kid who's playing down.

As an example take the GY person that keeps posting an unsubstantiated lie about ECNL moving to GY for olders showcases. How would you feel about it after spending 2-3k to attend some showcase. If a kid a year older started over you kid in front of scouts? See how stupid this is?

Exactly, I dont understand how that would even work. We're going to allow players in prime recruiting ages get pushed to the side by players a year older who've already had a year of playing in front of scouts at events?

For what wins? It's an olders showcase nobody cares. The only situation where this might make sense is if players have already signed commitments and dont care about playing their senior year.

Showcases are for recruiting not wins. Kids of the same GY are competing for the same spots regardless of age. I don’t understand your argument.

Love the comments about people "cheating" by allowing their older kid to play in a showcase with kids in the same graduating class as them. Or worried about it taking playtime form other kids.

The reason ECNL may do this is because it is what college coaches are asking for! They survey the coaches who come to their showcases seeking improvements. and one of the top things coaches list time after time is having to watch players in a game and have to figure out what class they are in. They want to be able to show up to a game and know everyone is Class fo 2027 or Class of 2028, etc.

College coaches aren't paying 2k-3k for their kid to attend a showcase at some far off location. Parents are + these are the kids that should be playing in front of the scouts not some kid playing down because they didn't get recruited the season before.

That’s not how it works? To my knowledge kids can’t be held back in high school. It would be for kids who started late or early so they can play with their school grade.

Also the way the BY system works currently it allows for kids to graduate high school and play another year of ECNL if they aren’t playing college.

So if anything you should be in favor of making sure it’s for high school ages only.

There’s a whole industry in SoCal around athletes holding back in 8th grade. They do their second year of 8th grade in training facilities such as em speed and winners circle.

For what sports?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents are not going to hold back their kids for soccer to the point that it would be an issue. Most elite players play up and do not need or want to play down an age group.

GY to me makes sense because it simplifies teams and keeps kid in the same group as their grade. Also if a kid was held back they should be allowed to play sports while they are in high school.

There are plenty of shenanigans with players being held back in basketball... So its not like it can't happen, there are plenty of examples out there.

What do you mean by plenty? 1 kid per team, 2 kids per team, 1 kid per 5 teams? That would still be between 1-10% of players? The majority will not hold back kids for sports especially on the girls side. I would be willing to bet the girls side has more kids who started early than started late.

If there are so few then a strict SY cutoff should be fine then. Sounds good to me.

You could make the argument both ways. One just aligns all kids with their school grade. If players are great they do not fear competition if there are some holdbacks let the kids get their boots on and compete.

This sounds like the same thing BY people are saying why they don’t want SY kids. Let the sept/dec kids put their boots on and compete.
Just still with strict date like it has always been!

To prove your pint, a family friend has a kid that is a five star football player, probably top 2-3 QB in the 2026 recruiting class. He was held back a year so that he could be this super star. The year he was held back, he wasn’t even top 200.

So many stories like that. Especially boys sports where a year can make such a huge difference.

The problem with holdbacks is once one parent does it with their kid and is successful because of it others will do the same. Also the of age players get their opportunity taken away from them by an older kid who's playing down.

As an example take the GY person that keeps posting an unsubstantiated lie about ECNL moving to GY for olders showcases. How would you feel about it after spending 2-3k to attend some showcase. If a kid a year older started over you kid in front of scouts? See how stupid this is?

Exactly, I dont understand how that would even work. We're going to allow players in prime recruiting ages get pushed to the side by players a year older who've already had a year of playing in front of scouts at events?

For what wins? It's an olders showcase nobody cares. The only situation where this might make sense is if players have already signed commitments and dont care about playing their senior year.

Showcases are for recruiting not wins. Kids of the same GY are competing for the same spots regardless of age. I don’t understand your argument.

Love the comments about people "cheating" by allowing their older kid to play in a showcase with kids in the same graduating class as them. Or worried about it taking playtime form other kids.

The reason ECNL may do this is because it is what college coaches are asking for! They survey the coaches who come to their showcases seeking improvements. and one of the top things coaches list time after time is having to watch players in a game and have to figure out what class they are in. They want to be able to show up to a game and know everyone is Class fo 2027 or Class of 2028, etc.

College coaches aren't paying 2k-3k for their kid to attend a showcase at some far off location. Parents are + these are the kids that should be playing in front of the scouts not some kid playing down because they didn't get recruited the season before.

That’s not how it works? To my knowledge kids can’t be held back in high school. It would be for kids who started late or early so they can play with their school grade.

Also the way the BY system works currently it allows for kids to graduate high school and play another year of ECNL if they aren’t playing college.

So if anything you should be in favor of making sure it’s for high school ages only.

There’s a whole industry in SoCal around athletes holding back in 8th grade. They do their second year of 8th grade in training facilities such as em speed and winners circle.

For what sports?

All sports if playing in HS is the highest level.

Soccer is unique in that because of BY the playing down cheaters haven't been able to get on top teams.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Parents are not going to hold back their kids for soccer to the point that it would be an issue. Most elite players play up and do not need or want to play down an age group.

GY to me makes sense because it simplifies teams and keeps kid in the same group as their grade. Also if a kid was held back they should be allowed to play sports while they are in high school.

There are plenty of shenanigans with players being held back in basketball... So its not like it can't happen, there are plenty of examples out there.

What do you mean by plenty? 1 kid per team, 2 kids per team, 1 kid per 5 teams? That would still be between 1-10% of players? The majority will not hold back kids for sports especially on the girls side. I would be willing to bet the girls side has more kids who started early than started late.

If there are so few then a strict SY cutoff should be fine then. Sounds good to me.

You could make the argument both ways. One just aligns all kids with their school grade. If players are great they do not fear competition if there are some holdbacks let the kids get their boots on and compete.

This sounds like the same thing BY people are saying why they don’t want SY kids. Let the sept/dec kids put their boots on and compete.
Just still with strict date like it has always been!

To prove your pint, a family friend has a kid that is a five star football player, probably top 2-3 QB in the 2026 recruiting class. He was held back a year so that he could be this super star. The year he was held back, he wasn’t even top 200.

So many stories like that. Especially boys sports where a year can make such a huge difference.

The problem with holdbacks is once one parent does it with their kid and is successful because of it others will do the same. Also the of age players get their opportunity taken away from them by an older kid who's playing down.

As an example take the GY person that keeps posting an unsubstantiated lie about ECNL moving to GY for olders showcases. How would you feel about it after spending 2-3k to attend some showcase. If a kid a year older started over you kid in front of scouts? See how stupid this is?

Exactly, I dont understand how that would even work. We're going to allow players in prime recruiting ages get pushed to the side by players a year older who've already had a year of playing in front of scouts at events?

For what wins? It's an olders showcase nobody cares. The only situation where this might make sense is if players have already signed commitments and dont care about playing their senior year.

Showcases are for recruiting not wins. Kids of the same GY are competing for the same spots regardless of age. I don’t understand your argument.

Love the comments about people "cheating" by allowing their older kid to play in a showcase with kids in the same graduating class as them. Or worried about it taking playtime form other kids.

The reason ECNL may do this is because it is what college coaches are asking for! They survey the coaches who come to their showcases seeking improvements. and one of the top things coaches list time after time is having to watch players in a game and have to figure out what class they are in. They want to be able to show up to a game and know everyone is Class fo 2027 or Class of 2028, etc.

College coaches aren't paying 2k-3k for their kid to attend a showcase at some far off location. Parents are + these are the kids that should be playing in front of the scouts not some kid playing down because they didn't get recruited the season before.

That’s not how it works? To my knowledge kids can’t be held back in high school. It would be for kids who started late or early so they can play with their school grade.

Also the way the BY system works currently it allows for kids to graduate high school and play another year of ECNL if they aren’t playing college.

So if anything you should be in favor of making sure it’s for high school ages only.

It’s possible to reclass in high school but not common. Usually involves graduating early. I only know of one player who reclassed to move down and a year and that is because the player started school early. Before reclassing they had to showcase with the age group older to be on the correct recruiting cycle. Reclassing down allowed them to be recruited from their correct age group team and take a gap year after high school. Reclassing down did bring up questions from college coaches although in this situation the player had an appropriate reason.

Can you do that at public school or only at a prep school?

Reclass? You can do that at any school. If you have enough credits to graduate early you can reclass forward. There are some high level female players who have announced doing this in the past few years. If reclassing down, a gap year can only be done at a private school but you could enroll at college for spring semester without losing a year of eligibility. None of this is common in soccer and wouldn’t make sense for most players. Like I said, the player I knew had extenuating circumstances.

PP are correct though, this happens more in 8th grade before starting school. Regardless of age, kids in the same GY are competing for the same college spots.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Parents are not going to hold back their kids for soccer to the point that it would be an issue. Most elite players play up and do not need or want to play down an age group.

GY to me makes sense because it simplifies teams and keeps kid in the same group as their grade. Also if a kid was held back they should be allowed to play sports while they are in high school.

There are plenty of shenanigans with players being held back in basketball... So its not like it can't happen, there are plenty of examples out there.

What do you mean by plenty? 1 kid per team, 2 kids per team, 1 kid per 5 teams? That would still be between 1-10% of players? The majority will not hold back kids for sports especially on the girls side. I would be willing to bet the girls side has more kids who started early than started late.

If there are so few then a strict SY cutoff should be fine then. Sounds good to me.

You could make the argument both ways. One just aligns all kids with their school grade. If players are great they do not fear competition if there are some holdbacks let the kids get their boots on and compete.

This sounds like the same thing BY people are saying why they don’t want SY kids. Let the sept/dec kids put their boots on and compete.
Just still with strict date like it has always been!

To prove your pint, a family friend has a kid that is a five star football player, probably top 2-3 QB in the 2026 recruiting class. He was held back a year so that he could be this super star. The year he was held back, he wasn’t even top 200.

So many stories like that. Especially boys sports where a year can make such a huge difference.

The problem with holdbacks is once one parent does it with their kid and is successful because of it others will do the same. Also the of age players get their opportunity taken away from them by an older kid who's playing down.

As an example take the GY person that keeps posting an unsubstantiated lie about ECNL moving to GY for olders showcases. How would you feel about it after spending 2-3k to attend some showcase. If a kid a year older started over you kid in front of scouts? See how stupid this is?

Exactly, I dont understand how that would even work. We're going to allow players in prime recruiting ages get pushed to the side by players a year older who've already had a year of playing in front of scouts at events?

For what wins? It's an olders showcase nobody cares. The only situation where this might make sense is if players have already signed commitments and dont care about playing their senior year.

Showcases are for recruiting not wins. Kids of the same GY are competing for the same spots regardless of age. I don’t understand your argument.

Love the comments about people "cheating" by allowing their older kid to play in a showcase with kids in the same graduating class as them. Or worried about it taking playtime form other kids.

The reason ECNL may do this is because it is what college coaches are asking for! They survey the coaches who come to their showcases seeking improvements. and one of the top things coaches list time after time is having to watch players in a game and have to figure out what class they are in. They want to be able to show up to a game and know everyone is Class fo 2027 or Class of 2028, etc.

College coaches aren't paying 2k-3k for their kid to attend a showcase at some far off location. Parents are + these are the kids that should be playing in front of the scouts not some kid playing down because they didn't get recruited the season before.

That’s not how it works? To my knowledge kids can’t be held back in high school. It would be for kids who started late or early so they can play with their school grade.

Also the way the BY system works currently it allows for kids to graduate high school and play another year of ECNL if they aren’t playing college.

So if anything you should be in favor of making sure it’s for high school ages only.

There’s a whole industry in SoCal around athletes holding back in 8th grade. They do their second year of 8th grade in training facilities such as em speed and winners circle.

For what sports?

All sports if playing in HS is the highest level.

Soccer is unique in that because of BY the playing down cheaters haven't been able to get on top teams.

Bingo

I believe the age cap is 19 before June 12th. There’s kids graduating days before turning 20.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents are not going to hold back their kids for soccer to the point that it would be an issue. Most elite players play up and do not need or want to play down an age group.

GY to me makes sense because it simplifies teams and keeps kid in the same group as their grade. Also if a kid was held back they should be allowed to play sports while they are in high school.

There are plenty of shenanigans with players being held back in basketball... So its not like it can't happen, there are plenty of examples out there.

What do you mean by plenty? 1 kid per team, 2 kids per team, 1 kid per 5 teams? That would still be between 1-10% of players? The majority will not hold back kids for sports especially on the girls side. I would be willing to bet the girls side has more kids who started early than started late.

If there are so few then a strict SY cutoff should be fine then. Sounds good to me.

You could make the argument both ways. One just aligns all kids with their school grade. If players are great they do not fear competition if there are some holdbacks let the kids get their boots on and compete.

This sounds like the same thing BY people are saying why they don’t want SY kids. Let the sept/dec kids put their boots on and compete.
Just still with strict date like it has always been!

To prove your pint, a family friend has a kid that is a five star football player, probably top 2-3 QB in the 2026 recruiting class. He was held back a year so that he could be this super star. The year he was held back, he wasn’t even top 200.

So many stories like that. Especially boys sports where a year can make such a huge difference.

The problem with holdbacks is once one parent does it with their kid and is successful because of it others will do the same. Also the of age players get their opportunity taken away from them by an older kid who's playing down.

As an example take the GY person that keeps posting an unsubstantiated lie about ECNL moving to GY for olders showcases. How would you feel about it after spending 2-3k to attend some showcase. If a kid a year older started over you kid in front of scouts? See how stupid this is?

Exactly, I dont understand how that would even work. We're going to allow players in prime recruiting ages get pushed to the side by players a year older who've already had a year of playing in front of scouts at events?

For what wins? It's an olders showcase nobody cares. The only situation where this might make sense is if players have already signed commitments and dont care about playing their senior year.

Showcases are for recruiting not wins. Kids of the same GY are competing for the same spots regardless of age. I don’t understand your argument.

Love the comments about people "cheating" by allowing their older kid to play in a showcase with kids in the same graduating class as them. Or worried about it taking playtime form other kids.

The reason ECNL may do this is because it is what college coaches are asking for! They survey the coaches who come to their showcases seeking improvements. and one of the top things coaches list time after time is having to watch players in a game and have to figure out what class they are in. They want to be able to show up to a game and know everyone is Class fo 2027 or Class of 2028, etc.

College coaches aren't paying 2k-3k for their kid to attend a showcase at some far off location. Parents are + these are the kids that should be playing in front of the scouts not some kid playing down because they didn't get recruited the season before.

That’s not how it works? To my knowledge kids can’t be held back in high school. It would be for kids who started late or early so they can play with their school grade.

Also the way the BY system works currently it allows for kids to graduate high school and play another year of ECNL if they aren’t playing college.

So if anything you should be in favor of making sure it’s for high school ages only.

There’s a whole industry in SoCal around athletes holding back in 8th grade. They do their second year of 8th grade in training facilities such as em speed and winners circle.

For what sports?

All sports if playing in HS is the highest level.

Soccer is unique in that because of BY the playing down cheaters haven't been able to get on top teams.

I get it’s frowned upon to hold you kids back for sports but definitely not cheating as cheating is doing something against the rules. This is more like somone having a really good tax guy and understanding how to use the loopholes.

Also with BY most kids can already be held back and do U19 a second time rather than graduate high school.

Example Jan 2007 this year should graduate high school but because they were held back can technically be a junior instead.

So if they can do it now and have chosen not to why would they start with grad year?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I still think mlsnext stays “BY” but allows some number of boys to bioband that is based on sept-dec birthdate or GY and has nothing to do with size.

That’s basically just SY then. I mean, calling it BY but allowing Sept-Dec kids to play down a year is just SY with a different name.

No

Yes

It’s not, no matter how glibly you claim it to be.

It is. You simply don't understand basic logic.

🤣 you’re an idiot of the first order.