We have a U12 girl on our U12 boys team and she and the boys go in as aggressively---as if there is no gender difference. They respect her because she is one of the best players on the team. The boys are really happy to have her. These are 10 and 11-year olds. It definitely changes in the teen years. |
Girls are more physically mature than boys at 12. The girls in our 6th grade our bigger than the boys for the most part. |
Lloyd used to match up against local boys well into her teens. It's case by case. No girl should do it at the expense of the boys, and many girls can't. It's like playing up. If she has the skill, speed and size, then why not? It also depends on the level of the boys' team and her own level. If she can keep up, then why not? Marta also did it into her mid teens. |
| I know a woman who plays on a men's team. Not coed, men's. She played D1 in college. And she's tough. Men have commented that she is so strong in her hips that they try to move her off the ball and can't. Is she typical? No, but the point is such women exist. |
| Where are these girls playing on boys teams? I just never seem to see it. |
Usually it's at a smaller club. I wouldn't say it's typical. |
| My DS did this for winter training for a couple of seasons. It was an age group up and the kids who were joining for winter training were on the same high school team. The coach was excellent and the team used the money we paid to defray costs for some of their players. It helped them have more players for scrimmages as well. It was a great experience for DS. Couldn't have done it in the fall or spring playing season though. |
| You also see it in Futsal teams. I have heard of some clubs taking the top ECNL girls and having them train with the DA side, but down a year. It's for training, not games. |