ECNL moving to school year part 2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BY guy is excited to be able to play that last year as a cheat...then next year BY guy can't cheat anymore. No more playing against players in a younger grade for the Jan to July kids. such cheaters they have been the last few years.

This thinking is so off. I've personally seen many examples where a Aug-Dec kid is in the HIGHER grade OR where a Jan-July is in the LOWER grade. These decisions, BTW, had to do with maturity and academics, not sports. This shift doesn't help any of them and underscores how grade is less of a factor than people believe and kids playing against other grades will continue.

Changing from BY to SY trades 3 months of players playing up a grade for 1 month of players playing down a grade.

Which option do you think will result in better players?

Which option do you think will result in more money for clubs?

It's more than the baked-in misalignments, tho. All the cases on one team I am aware of (3) are parents who either redshirted OR the reverse (which still happens even though no longer the IT thing to do like it was back in the 80s and 90s).

I think globally the change is good for youth soccer BUT still causes problems for individuals AND might be a unfortunate curveball for some during this transition while perhaps helping others.

The same number of players are born first or born last no matter when the cutoff is defined if its always a 365 day window.

The benefit of 8/1-7/31 is no trapped players in 8th grade.

The problem with 8/1-7/31 is some August birthday players (depending on school district) can play down on a team with mostly players a grade below them in school.

Just to be fair...

The benefit of 1/1-12/31 is that the dates are complely seperate from school which means grade in School doesn't come into play. When you mix grade in school with teams you open the door to hold backs and regrades trying to play down for wins. "It's not fair my 16 year old freshman cant play on a team with kids in their grade." or "My kid is homeschooled so we'll just pick the grade team we think they should play on."

Sorry, but you reduce BUT not eliminate 8th-grade trapped kids. This is because of grade misalignment, because states are different OR if parents don't have the kid in the grade most do.

Name a scenario where kids are trapped now? There are none. If you are an august birthday in a 9-1 state you can play up. Therefore not trapped. So sick of people saying there are still trapped players, there aren’t.

July kids. Just saw several parents raise the issue in response to the GA annoucement. They'll be trapped.

Your heart will always bleed if you are stumping for the 7 kids in North Dakota born on 7/31. Trapped as an issue is gone.

It's not gone. People don't always follow school cut offs. They follow what's best for their kid and it's not about youth sports.

Let’s not be intellectually dishonest. A large percentage of the time, when kids are held back and dont follow school cut off dates, their parents are looking for some type of “advantage”, be it academic or athletic. Let’s not waste any time worrying about them not fitting and being “held back trapped”. They will make up for it by being the oldest kid in the class taking the ACT or being the oldest freshman in high school.

For those that are truly held back for legitimate reasons, well, those aren’t the kids usually going to UVA on a soccer scholarship so probably not an issue to begin with.

Talk about intellectually dishonest, the data says more June/July kids held back in school at much, much higher rates than any other age. You think the parents of the kids for those 2 months are just the super genius cheater parents (again with this cheater nonsense from some clowns)? No, the reality is the developmental data also says being the youngest kid in your grade yields, on average, worse outcomes across a number of measurable dimensions. It's not about sports. Quit with the uninformed "cheater" nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fun thing about the inconsistency here. Complaints if a kid actually plays with their grade while at the same time saying if you aren't good enough to play a year ahead where you might not be playing in the same grade you won't be good enough for college anyway. What is my kid supposed to be doing again (after kicking the ball off a wall for 4 hours a day, pay for extra coaching and drive 4 hours to a top tier club?)

If your kid isn't good enough to play on the top team in their age/grade. They're supposed to be playing on the second team in they're grade/age. Not taking minutes from other players on a grade younger team.

Why is this so difficult? Why are you trying so hard to cheat by playing down for wins? The parents on that team will despise you. It wont be a good experience.

Imagine caring this much about another child playing in their assigned age group. No one on my kids teams would feel this way and if they did, they wouldn’t voice it because it wouldn’t be tolerated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fun thing about the inconsistency here. Complaints if a kid actually plays with their grade while at the same time saying if you aren't good enough to play a year ahead where you might not be playing in the same grade you won't be good enough for college anyway. What is my kid supposed to be doing again (after kicking the ball off a wall for 4 hours a day, pay for extra coaching and drive 4 hours to a top tier club?)

If your kid isn't good enough to play on the top team in their age/grade. They're supposed to be playing on the second team in they're grade/age. Not taking minutes from other players on a grade younger team.

Why is this so difficult? Why are you trying so hard to cheat by playing down for wins? The parents on that team will despise you. It wont be a good experience.

Imagine caring this much about another child playing in their assigned age group. No one on my kids teams would feel this way and if they did, they wouldn’t voice it because it wouldn’t be tolerated.

That's because nobody on your kids team has an actual shot at playing in college.

When 1-2 of a clubs star players leave their top teams because players a grade older are playing down they'll get the hint.

Also I'll ask our doc how he feels about Aug players playing down a grade and gently hint that this isnt something I agree with. He'll understand what im saying and your kid wont be playing down a grade for wins. Have fun on the 2nd team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fun thing about the inconsistency here. Complaints if a kid actually plays with their grade while at the same time saying if you aren't good enough to play a year ahead where you might not be playing in the same grade you won't be good enough for college anyway. What is my kid supposed to be doing again (after kicking the ball off a wall for 4 hours a day, pay for extra coaching and drive 4 hours to a top tier club?)

If your kid isn't good enough to play on the top team in their age/grade. They're supposed to be playing on the second team in they're grade/age. Not taking minutes from other players on a grade younger team.

Why is this so difficult? Why are you trying so hard to cheat by playing down for wins? The parents on that team will despise you. It wont be a good experience.

Imagine caring this much about another child playing in their assigned age group. No one on my kids teams would feel this way and if they did, they wouldn’t voice it because it wouldn’t be tolerated.

That's because nobody on your kids team has an actual shot at playing in college.

When 1-2 of a clubs star players leave their top teams because players a grade older are playing down they'll get the hint.

Also I'll ask our doc how he feels about Aug players playing down a grade and gently hint that this isnt something I agree with. He'll understand what im saying and your kid wont be playing down a grade for wins. Have fun on the 2nd team.

Why would the star players leave? If anything, older players would make their squad perhaps more competitive and reach farther in the elite league they are playing in which means MORE expsoure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fun thing about the inconsistency here. Complaints if a kid actually plays with their grade while at the same time saying if you aren't good enough to play a year ahead where you might not be playing in the same grade you won't be good enough for college anyway. What is my kid supposed to be doing again (after kicking the ball off a wall for 4 hours a day, pay for extra coaching and drive 4 hours to a top tier club?)

If your kid isn't good enough to play on the top team in their age/grade. They're supposed to be playing on the second team in they're grade/age. Not taking minutes from other players on a grade younger team.

Why is this so difficult? Why are you trying so hard to cheat by playing down for wins? The parents on that team will despise you. It wont be a good experience.

Imagine caring this much about another child playing in their assigned age group. No one on my kids teams would feel this way and if they did, they wouldn’t voice it because it wouldn’t be tolerated.

That's because nobody on your kids team has an actual shot at playing in college.

When 1-2 of a clubs star players leave their top teams because players a grade older are playing down they'll get the hint.

Also I'll ask our doc how he feels about Aug players playing down a grade and gently hint that this isnt something I agree with. He'll understand what im saying and your kid wont be playing down a grade for wins. Have fun on the 2nd team.

Why would the star players leave? If anything, older players would make their squad perhaps more competitive and reach farther in the elite league they are playing in which means MORE expsoure.

Nope, first if the player looking to play down was any good they'd want to play with players their grade so recruiting isnt screwed up. Second once recruiters find out a player is playing down a grade they'll instantly disregard them. All players that want to play down will be doing is stealing minutes from players playing in the correct grade.

Seriously play on the 2nd team in the correct grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fun thing about the inconsistency here. Complaints if a kid actually plays with their grade while at the same time saying if you aren't good enough to play a year ahead where you might not be playing in the same grade you won't be good enough for college anyway. What is my kid supposed to be doing again (after kicking the ball off a wall for 4 hours a day, pay for extra coaching and drive 4 hours to a top tier club?)

If your kid isn't good enough to play on the top team in their age/grade. They're supposed to be playing on the second team in they're grade/age. Not taking minutes from other players on a grade younger team.

Why is this so difficult? Why are you trying so hard to cheat by playing down for wins? The parents on that team will despise you. It wont be a good experience.

Imagine caring this much about another child playing in their assigned age group. No one on my kids teams would feel this way and if they did, they wouldn’t voice it because it wouldn’t be tolerated.

That's because nobody on your kids team has an actual shot at playing in college.

When 1-2 of a clubs star players leave their top teams because players a grade older are playing down they'll get the hint.

Also I'll ask our doc how he feels about Aug players playing down a grade and gently hint that this isnt something I agree with. He'll understand what im saying and your kid wont be playing down a grade for wins. Have fun on the 2nd team.

Why would the star players leave? If anything, older players would make their squad perhaps more competitive and reach farther in the elite league they are playing in which means MORE expsoure.

Once you get older the top teams are already known. Wins are baked in. Exposure is already known.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fun thing about the inconsistency here. Complaints if a kid actually plays with their grade while at the same time saying if you aren't good enough to play a year ahead where you might not be playing in the same grade you won't be good enough for college anyway. What is my kid supposed to be doing again (after kicking the ball off a wall for 4 hours a day, pay for extra coaching and drive 4 hours to a top tier club?)

If your kid isn't good enough to play on the top team in their age/grade. They're supposed to be playing on the second team in they're grade/age. Not taking minutes from other players on a grade younger team.

Why is this so difficult? Why are you trying so hard to cheat by playing down for wins? The parents on that team will despise you. It wont be a good experience.

Imagine caring this much about another child playing in their assigned age group. No one on my kids teams would feel this way and if they did, they wouldn’t voice it because it wouldn’t be tolerated.

That's because nobody on your kids team has an actual shot at playing in college.

When 1-2 of a clubs star players leave their top teams because players a grade older are playing down they'll get the hint.

Also I'll ask our doc how he feels about Aug players playing down a grade and gently hint that this isnt something I agree with. He'll understand what im saying and your kid wont be playing down a grade for wins. Have fun on the 2nd team.

Why would the star players leave? If anything, older players would make their squad perhaps more competitive and reach farther in the elite league they are playing in which means MORE expsoure.

Once you get older the top teams are already known. Wins are baked in. Exposure is already known.

Then why all the complaints, especially when players will be playing next year in the appropriate age group?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fun thing about the inconsistency here. Complaints if a kid actually plays with their grade while at the same time saying if you aren't good enough to play a year ahead where you might not be playing in the same grade you won't be good enough for college anyway. What is my kid supposed to be doing again (after kicking the ball off a wall for 4 hours a day, pay for extra coaching and drive 4 hours to a top tier club?)

If your kid isn't good enough to play on the top team in their age/grade. They're supposed to be playing on the second team in they're grade/age. Not taking minutes from other players on a grade younger team.

Why is this so difficult? Why are you trying so hard to cheat by playing down for wins? The parents on that team will despise you. It wont be a good experience.

Imagine caring this much about another child playing in their assigned age group. No one on my kids teams would feel this way and if they did, they wouldn’t voice it because it wouldn’t be tolerated.

That's because nobody on your kids team has an actual shot at playing in college.

When 1-2 of a clubs star players leave their top teams because players a grade older are playing down they'll get the hint.

Also I'll ask our doc how he feels about Aug players playing down a grade and gently hint that this isnt something I agree with. He'll understand what im saying and your kid wont be playing down a grade for wins. Have fun on the 2nd team.

You should definitely do that. Zero chance anything happens but it will at least remind the doc what a meddling, PITA loser you are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fun thing about the inconsistency here. Complaints if a kid actually plays with their grade while at the same time saying if you aren't good enough to play a year ahead where you might not be playing in the same grade you won't be good enough for college anyway. What is my kid supposed to be doing again (after kicking the ball off a wall for 4 hours a day, pay for extra coaching and drive 4 hours to a top tier club?)

If your kid isn't good enough to play on the top team in their age/grade. They're supposed to be playing on the second team in they're grade/age. Not taking minutes from other players on a grade younger team.

Why is this so difficult? Why are you trying so hard to cheat by playing down for wins? The parents on that team will despise you. It wont be a good experience.

Imagine caring this much about another child playing in their assigned age group. No one on my kids teams would feel this way and if they did, they wouldn’t voice it because it wouldn’t be tolerated.

That's because nobody on your kids team has an actual shot at playing in college.

When 1-2 of a clubs star players leave their top teams because players a grade older are playing down they'll get the hint.

Also I'll ask our doc how he feels about Aug players playing down a grade and gently hint that this isnt something I agree with. He'll understand what im saying and your kid wont be playing down a grade for wins. Have fun on the 2nd team.

Why would the star players leave? If anything, older players would make their squad perhaps more competitive and reach farther in the elite league they are playing in which means MORE expsoure.

Nope, first if the player looking to play down was any good they'd want to play with players their grade so recruiting isnt screwed up. Second once recruiters find out a player is playing down a grade they'll instantly disregard them. All players that want to play down will be doing is stealing minutes from players playing in the correct grade.

Seriously play on the 2nd team in the correct grade.

Players aren't looking to play down. There just looking to play on the best team they can play on -- as well as what the club offers under the new age groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fun thing about the inconsistency here. Complaints if a kid actually plays with their grade while at the same time saying if you aren't good enough to play a year ahead where you might not be playing in the same grade you won't be good enough for college anyway. What is my kid supposed to be doing again (after kicking the ball off a wall for 4 hours a day, pay for extra coaching and drive 4 hours to a top tier club?)

If your kid isn't good enough to play on the top team in their age/grade. They're supposed to be playing on the second team in they're grade/age. Not taking minutes from other players on a grade younger team.

Why is this so difficult? Why are you trying so hard to cheat by playing down for wins? The parents on that team will despise you. It wont be a good experience.

Imagine caring this much about another child playing in their assigned age group. No one on my kids teams would feel this way and if they did, they wouldn’t voice it because it wouldn’t be tolerated.

That's because nobody on your kids team has an actual shot at playing in college.

When 1-2 of a clubs star players leave their top teams because players a grade older are playing down they'll get the hint.

Also I'll ask our doc how he feels about Aug players playing down a grade and gently hint that this isnt something I agree with. He'll understand what im saying and your kid wont be playing down a grade for wins. Have fun on the 2nd team.

Why would the star players leave? If anything, older players would make their squad perhaps more competitive and reach farther in the elite league they are playing in which means MORE expsoure.

Once you get older the top teams are already known. Wins are baked in. Exposure is already known.

Then why all the complaints, especially when players will be playing next year in the appropriate age group?

its Seasonal Year not School Year remember? Appropriate?

its funny how the SY people play both sides of the coin when it comes to grade in school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fun thing about the inconsistency here. Complaints if a kid actually plays with their grade while at the same time saying if you aren't good enough to play a year ahead where you might not be playing in the same grade you won't be good enough for college anyway. What is my kid supposed to be doing again (after kicking the ball off a wall for 4 hours a day, pay for extra coaching and drive 4 hours to a top tier club?)

If your kid isn't good enough to play on the top team in their age/grade. They're supposed to be playing on the second team in they're grade/age. Not taking minutes from other players on a grade younger team.

Why is this so difficult? Why are you trying so hard to cheat by playing down for wins? The parents on that team will despise you. It wont be a good experience.

Imagine caring this much about another child playing in their assigned age group. No one on my kids teams would feel this way and if they did, they wouldn’t voice it because it wouldn’t be tolerated.

That's because nobody on your kids team has an actual shot at playing in college.

When 1-2 of a clubs star players leave their top teams because players a grade older are playing down they'll get the hint.

Also I'll ask our doc how he feels about Aug players playing down a grade and gently hint that this isnt something I agree with. He'll understand what im saying and your kid wont be playing down a grade for wins. Have fun on the 2nd team.

Why would the star players leave? If anything, older players would make their squad perhaps more competitive and reach farther in the elite league they are playing in which means MORE expsoure.

Nope, first if the player looking to play down was any good they'd want to play with players their grade so recruiting isnt screwed up. Second once recruiters find out a player is playing down a grade they'll instantly disregard them. All players that want to play down will be doing is stealing minutes from players playing in the correct grade.

Seriously play on the 2nd team in the correct grade.

Players aren't looking to play down. There just looking to play on the best team they can play on -- as well as what the club offers under the new age groups.

Perfect then play on the second team for your kids gade in school. All problems are solved.

I dont know why im arguing with people that dont matter. Top team parents wont want players playing down on their team. Its that simple which means it won't happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fun thing about the inconsistency here. Complaints if a kid actually plays with their grade while at the same time saying if you aren't good enough to play a year ahead where you might not be playing in the same grade you won't be good enough for college anyway. What is my kid supposed to be doing again (after kicking the ball off a wall for 4 hours a day, pay for extra coaching and drive 4 hours to a top tier club?)

If your kid isn't good enough to play on the top team in their age/grade. They're supposed to be playing on the second team in they're grade/age. Not taking minutes from other players on a grade younger team.

Why is this so difficult? Why are you trying so hard to cheat by playing down for wins? The parents on that team will despise you. It wont be a good experience.

Imagine caring this much about another child playing in their assigned age group. No one on my kids teams would feel this way and if they did, they wouldn’t voice it because it wouldn’t be tolerated.

That's because nobody on your kids team has an actual shot at playing in college.

When 1-2 of a clubs star players leave their top teams because players a grade older are playing down they'll get the hint.

Also I'll ask our doc how he feels about Aug players playing down a grade and gently hint that this isnt something I agree with. He'll understand what im saying and your kid wont be playing down a grade for wins. Have fun on the 2nd team.

Why would the star players leave? If anything, older players would make their squad perhaps more competitive and reach farther in the elite league they are playing in which means MORE expsoure.

Nope, first if the player looking to play down was any good they'd want to play with players their grade so recruiting isnt screwed up. Second once recruiters find out a player is playing down a grade they'll instantly disregard them. All players that want to play down will be doing is stealing minutes from players playing in the correct grade.

Seriously play on the 2nd team in the correct grade.

Players aren't looking to play down. There just looking to play on the best team they can play on -- as well as what the club offers under the new age groups.

Perfect then play on the second team for your kids gade in school. All problems are solved.

I dont know why im arguing with people that dont matter. Top team parents wont want players playing down on their team. Its that simple which means it won't happen.

Yeah, except top team parents may no longer be on the top team -- if better players who are eligible join the team. Who plays is based on who's better on the field. Holding on to a spot just because someone has it now is not how it works -- and never has.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fun thing about the inconsistency here. Complaints if a kid actually plays with their grade while at the same time saying if you aren't good enough to play a year ahead where you might not be playing in the same grade you won't be good enough for college anyway. What is my kid supposed to be doing again (after kicking the ball off a wall for 4 hours a day, pay for extra coaching and drive 4 hours to a top tier club?)

If your kid isn't good enough to play on the top team in their age/grade. They're supposed to be playing on the second team in they're grade/age. Not taking minutes from other players on a grade younger team.

Why is this so difficult? Why are you trying so hard to cheat by playing down for wins? The parents on that team will despise you. It wont be a good experience.

Imagine caring this much about another child playing in their assigned age group. No one on my kids teams would feel this way and if they did, they wouldn’t voice it because it wouldn’t be tolerated.

That's because nobody on your kids team has an actual shot at playing in college.

When 1-2 of a clubs star players leave their top teams because players a grade older are playing down they'll get the hint.

Also I'll ask our doc how he feels about Aug players playing down a grade and gently hint that this isnt something I agree with. He'll understand what im saying and your kid wont be playing down a grade for wins. Have fun on the 2nd team.

Why would the star players leave? If anything, older players would make their squad perhaps more competitive and reach farther in the elite league they are playing in which means MORE expsoure.

Once you get older the top teams are already known. Wins are baked in. Exposure is already known.

Then why all the complaints, especially when players will be playing next year in the appropriate age group?

its Seasonal Year not School Year remember? Appropriate?

its funny how the SY people play both sides of the coin when it comes to grade in school.

This was perhaps one decent thing about BY -- these points didn't have to be entertained.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fun thing about the inconsistency here. Complaints if a kid actually plays with their grade while at the same time saying if you aren't good enough to play a year ahead where you might not be playing in the same grade you won't be good enough for college anyway. What is my kid supposed to be doing again (after kicking the ball off a wall for 4 hours a day, pay for extra coaching and drive 4 hours to a top tier club?)

If your kid isn't good enough to play on the top team in their age/grade. They're supposed to be playing on the second team in they're grade/age. Not taking minutes from other players on a grade younger team.

Why is this so difficult? Why are you trying so hard to cheat by playing down for wins? The parents on that team will despise you. It wont be a good experience.

Imagine caring this much about another child playing in their assigned age group. No one on my kids teams would feel this way and if they did, they wouldn’t voice it because it wouldn’t be tolerated.

That's because nobody on your kids team has an actual shot at playing in college.

When 1-2 of a clubs star players leave their top teams because players a grade older are playing down they'll get the hint.

Also I'll ask our doc how he feels about Aug players playing down a grade and gently hint that this isnt something I agree with. He'll understand what im saying and your kid wont be playing down a grade for wins. Have fun on the 2nd team.

Why would the star players leave? If anything, older players would make their squad perhaps more competitive and reach farther in the elite league they are playing in which means MORE expsoure.

Nope, first if the player looking to play down was any good they'd want to play with players their grade so recruiting isnt screwed up. Second once recruiters find out a player is playing down a grade they'll instantly disregard them. All players that want to play down will be doing is stealing minutes from players playing in the correct grade.

Seriously play on the 2nd team in the correct grade.

Players aren't looking to play down. There just looking to play on the best team they can play on -- as well as what the club offers under the new age groups.

Perfect then play on the second team for your kids gade in school. All problems are solved.

I dont know why im arguing with people that dont matter. Top team parents wont want players playing down on their team. Its that simple which means it won't happen.

Yeah, except top team parents may no longer be on the top team -- if better players who are eligible join the team. Who plays is based on who's better on the field. Holding on to a spot just because someone has it now is not how it works -- and never has.

If they were better they'd be playing on a team in their grade.

Even if you happen to weasel onto a grade lower team nobody will take you or your kid serious unless you hold your kid back. This is because if you dont you're a short timer eventually looking to play with the team in your grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fun thing about the inconsistency here. Complaints if a kid actually plays with their grade while at the same time saying if you aren't good enough to play a year ahead where you might not be playing in the same grade you won't be good enough for college anyway. What is my kid supposed to be doing again (after kicking the ball off a wall for 4 hours a day, pay for extra coaching and drive 4 hours to a top tier club?)

If your kid isn't good enough to play on the top team in their age/grade. They're supposed to be playing on the second team in they're grade/age. Not taking minutes from other players on a grade younger team.

Why is this so difficult? Why are you trying so hard to cheat by playing down for wins? The parents on that team will despise you. It wont be a good experience.

Imagine caring this much about another child playing in their assigned age group. No one on my kids teams would feel this way and if they did, they wouldn’t voice it because it wouldn’t be tolerated.

That's because nobody on your kids team has an actual shot at playing in college.

When 1-2 of a clubs star players leave their top teams because players a grade older are playing down they'll get the hint.

Also I'll ask our doc how he feels about Aug players playing down a grade and gently hint that this isnt something I agree with. He'll understand what im saying and your kid wont be playing down a grade for wins. Have fun on the 2nd team.

Why would the star players leave? If anything, older players would make their squad perhaps more competitive and reach farther in the elite league they are playing in which means MORE expsoure.

Nope, first if the player looking to play down was any good they'd want to play with players their grade so recruiting isnt screwed up. Second once recruiters find out a player is playing down a grade they'll instantly disregard them. All players that want to play down will be doing is stealing minutes from players playing in the correct grade.

Seriously play on the 2nd team in the correct grade.

Players aren't looking to play down. There just looking to play on the best team they can play on -- as well as what the club offers under the new age groups.

Perfect then play on the second team for your kids gade in school. All problems are solved.

I dont know why im arguing with people that dont matter. Top team parents wont want players playing down on their team. Its that simple which means it won't happen.

Yeah, except top team parents may no longer be on the top team -- if better players who are eligible join the team. Who plays is based on who's better on the field. Holding on to a spot just because someone has it now is not how it works -- and never has.

No club would drop a grade correct player for an older player playing down. Clubs invest time and resources developing players. A player playing down is a waste of a roster spot. Eventually they're going to leave the team probabaly right before recruitment age. This will leave the club scrambling looking for a player to replace them.

Whoever is argueing for playing down doesnt understand how high level competitive soccer or any sport works.