ECNL moving to school year part 2

[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:Whoever is posting is compleley unhinged.

Not only are they responding to their own posts. Now to try an "win" arguements they're posting as the people they dont agree with.

Leagues will add a rule to SY 8/1-7/31 that says players must play with their grade in school.

Maybe changes for Fall 2027, probably not. But way too late for Fall 2026 to switch from SY to GY.

Nobody is promoting GY but you at ECNL showcases.

Its SY 8/1-7/31 with a rule that players must play on their grade team. Which primarily means younger players of a certain grade cant play down a grade on the team below them.

As others have pointed out to you, that is GY and club soccer is age based. It is too late for your personal scheme to advantage your girl next year. Better luck the following year.

Theres no benefit or issue for my kid either way.

SY 8/1-7/31 with a rule that players must play with their grade in school is not GY because older players are not allowed to play down. The oldest any player can be is 8/1 of that year. As multiple people have told you multiple times.

Why do you think the other poster is fighting so hard against this type of rule? It seems pretty normal that leagues, clubs, most parents, and most players would want everyone on a team to be the same grade in school.

They're obviously autistic and have nothing else to do so they camp on this thread and try to be "right" on everything. Or the narrow definition of what they think right is.

Also I'm fairly certain that they want GY in ECNL specifically at showcases. If a rule was added to SY 8/1-7/31 saying that players must play with their grade you get the same end result (all players are the same graduating year). But, older players wouldn't be allowed to play down on younger teams at showcases. Basically they want to do is give their kid 3 maybe 4 shots at playing infront of the first year college recruiting teams which is where most college coaches will be watching. This will steal recruiting visability from younger players that are the correct grade in school.

Agreed, this push for August kids playing on grade with an extra special secret rule is nothing more than a ruse to go GY. Its too obvious. Leagues didn't have a problem with SY a bunch of years ago so will see no need to change.

SY 8/1-7/31 with a rule that players must play on a team with their grade is not GY because it doesnt allow older players (holdbacks, regrades, whatever) to play down on younger teams. The oldest player eligible to play on the team will always be 8/1 of that year.

GY means any players X grade can play on this team. What ends up happening is parents hold their kid back in school so they can be 1-2 years older than their teammates. This is what you see in HS.

Where's the proof they did the last time. Otherwise this is just hot air.

Ask anyone that was around pre 2016.

If players wanted to be taken seriously by college coaches they needed to play with their grade team not on the grade down team.

This is not new.

ECNL president already said they know they can’t align everyone by grade but they went with 8/1 to keep most kids together by grade. But it’s a 12 month cut off and that’s it. ECNL isn’t even allowed to make changes from that for league play, US soccer won’t allow it.

Only way they can incorporate changes by grade would be for showcases where new USSF rules are more flexible.

Stop saying things that arent true.

ECNL or any league can add a rule that younger players must play up on a team thats predominantly their grade in school. Which would happen anyway if they were looking to get recruited to play in college.

They can't do it under the 2026-2027 player registration rules that are set. Who knows what 2027-2028 will bring though?

You have a copy? please provide a link.

Even then Leagues can make changes whenever they want to rules.

Grades not relevant, https://usclubsoccer.org/playerregistration/

This doesnt show the rules for next season. Just registration requirements.

[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:Whoever is posting is compleley unhinged.

Not only are they responding to their own posts. Now to try an "win" arguements they're posting as the people they dont agree with.

Leagues will add a rule to SY 8/1-7/31 that says players must play with their grade in school.

Maybe changes for Fall 2027, probably not. But way too late for Fall 2026 to switch from SY to GY.

Nobody is promoting GY but you at ECNL showcases.

Its SY 8/1-7/31 with a rule that players must play on their grade team. Which primarily means younger players of a certain grade cant play down a grade on the team below them.

As others have pointed out to you, that is GY and club soccer is age based. It is too late for your personal scheme to advantage your girl next year. Better luck the following year.

Theres no benefit or issue for my kid either way.

SY 8/1-7/31 with a rule that players must play with their grade in school is not GY because older players are not allowed to play down. The oldest any player can be is 8/1 of that year. As multiple people have told you multiple times.

Why do you think the other poster is fighting so hard against this type of rule? It seems pretty normal that leagues, clubs, most parents, and most players would want everyone on a team to be the same grade in school.

They're obviously autistic and have nothing else to do so they camp on this thread and try to be "right" on everything. Or the narrow definition of what they think right is.

Also I'm fairly certain that they want GY in ECNL specifically at showcases. If a rule was added to SY 8/1-7/31 saying that players must play with their grade you get the same end result (all players are the same graduating year). But, older players wouldn't be allowed to play down on younger teams at showcases. Basically they want to do is give their kid 3 maybe 4 shots at playing infront of the first year college recruiting teams which is where most college coaches will be watching. This will steal recruiting visability from younger players that are the correct grade in school.

Agreed, this push for August kids playing on grade with an extra special secret rule is nothing more than a ruse to go GY. Its too obvious. Leagues didn't have a problem with SY a bunch of years ago so will see no need to change.

SY 8/1-7/31 with a rule that players must play on a team with their grade is not GY because it doesnt allow older players (holdbacks, regrades, whatever) to play down on younger teams. The oldest player eligible to play on the team will always be 8/1 of that year.

GY means any players X grade can play on this team. What ends up happening is parents hold their kid back in school so they can be 1-2 years older than their teammates. This is what you see in HS.

Where's the proof they did the last time. Otherwise this is just hot air.

Ask anyone that was around pre 2016.

If players wanted to be taken seriously by college coaches they needed to play with their grade team not on the grade down team.

This is not new.

ECNL president already said they know they can’t align everyone by grade but they went with 8/1 to keep most kids together by grade. But it’s a 12 month cut off and that’s it. ECNL isn’t even allowed to make changes from that for league play, US soccer won’t allow it.

Only way they can incorporate changes by grade would be for showcases where new USSF rules are more flexible.

Stop saying things that arent true.

ECNL or any league can add a rule that younger players must play up on a team thats predominantly their grade in school. Which would happen anyway if they were looking to get recruited to play in college.

No they can’t? They have to follow US Club who follows the rules USSF sets for them. The only thing they can do is creat rules for their own showcases or become self governed.

Sigh... Theres more than US Club and multiple leagues that self sanction. Even then ECNL can create a rule saying younger players must play with their grade because they own the league rulebook not US 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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whoever is posting is compleley unhinged.

Not only are they responding to their own posts. Now to try an "win" arguements they're posting as the people they dont agree with.

Leagues will add a rule to SY 8/1-7/31 that says players must play with their grade in school.

Maybe changes for Fall 2027, probably not. But way too late for Fall 2026 to switch from SY to GY.

Nobody is promoting GY but you at ECNL showcases.

Its SY 8/1-7/31 with a rule that players must play on their grade team. Which primarily means younger players of a certain grade cant play down a grade on the team below them.

As others have pointed out to you, that is GY and club soccer is age based. It is too late for your personal scheme to advantage your girl next year. Better luck the following year.

Theres no benefit or issue for my kid either way.

SY 8/1-7/31 with a rule that players must play with their grade in school is not GY because older players are not allowed to play down. The oldest any player can be is 8/1 of that year. As multiple people have told you multiple times.

Why do you think the other poster is fighting so hard against this type of rule? It seems pretty normal that leagues, clubs, most parents, and most players would want everyone on a team to be the same grade in school.

They're obviously autistic and have nothing else to do so they camp on this thread and try to be "right" on everything. Or the narrow definition of what they think right is.

Also I'm fairly certain that they want GY in ECNL specifically at showcases. If a rule was added to SY 8/1-7/31 saying that players must play with their grade you get the same end result (all players are the same graduating year). But, older players wouldn't be allowed to play down on younger teams at showcases. Basically they want to do is give their kid 3 maybe 4 shots at playing infront of the first year college recruiting teams which is where most college coaches will be watching. This will steal recruiting visability from younger players that are the correct grade in school.

Agreed, this push for August kids playing on grade with an extra special secret rule is nothing more than a ruse to go GY. Its too obvious. Leagues didn't have a problem with SY a bunch of years ago so will see no need to change.

SY 8/1-7/31 with a rule that players must play on a team with their grade is not GY because it doesnt allow older players (holdbacks, regrades, whatever) to play down on younger teams. The oldest player eligible to play on the team will always be 8/1 of that year.

GY means any players X grade can play on this team. What ends up happening is parents hold their kid back in school so they can be 1-2 years older than their teammates. This is what you see in HS.

Where's the proof they did the last time. Otherwise this is just hot air.

Ask anyone that was around pre 2016.

If players wanted to be taken seriously by college coaches they needed to play with their grade team not on the grade down team.

This is not new.

ECNL president already said they know they can’t align everyone by grade but they went with 8/1 to keep most kids together by grade. But it’s a 12 month cut off and that’s it. ECNL isn’t even allowed to make changes from that for league play, US soccer won’t allow it.

Only way they can incorporate changes by grade would be for showcases where new USSF rules are more flexible.

Stop saying things that arent true.

ECNL or any league can add a rule that younger players must play up on a team thats predominantly their grade in school. Which would happen anyway if they were looking to get recruited to play in college.

They can't do it under the 2026-2027 player registration rules that are set. Who knows what 2027-2028 will bring though?

You have a copy? please provide a link.

Even then Leagues can make changes whenever they want to rules.

Grades not relevant, https://usclubsoccer.org/playerregistration/

This doesnt show the rules for next season. Just registration requirements.

Focus....focus. Do you see any mention of grades?

[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:Whoever is posting is compleley unhinged.

Not only are they responding to their own posts. Now to try an "win" arguements they're posting as the people they dont agree with.

Leagues will add a rule to SY 8/1-7/31 that says players must play with their grade in school.

Maybe changes for Fall 2027, probably not. But way too late for Fall 2026 to switch from SY to GY.

Nobody is promoting GY but you at ECNL showcases.

Its SY 8/1-7/31 with a rule that players must play on their grade team. Which primarily means younger players of a certain grade cant play down a grade on the team below them.

As others have pointed out to you, that is GY and club soccer is age based. It is too late for your personal scheme to advantage your girl next year. Better luck the following year.

Theres no benefit or issue for my kid either way.

SY 8/1-7/31 with a rule that players must play with their grade in school is not GY because older players are not allowed to play down. The oldest any player can be is 8/1 of that year. As multiple people have told you multiple times.

Why do you think the other poster is fighting so hard against this type of rule? It seems pretty normal that leagues, clubs, most parents, and most players would want everyone on a team to be the same grade in school.

They're obviously autistic and have nothing else to do so they camp on this thread and try to be "right" on everything. Or the narrow definition of what they think right is.

Also I'm fairly certain that they want GY in ECNL specifically at showcases. If a rule was added to SY 8/1-7/31 saying that players must play with their grade you get the same end result (all players are the same graduating year). But, older players wouldn't be allowed to play down on younger teams at showcases. Basically they want to do is give their kid 3 maybe 4 shots at playing infront of the first year college recruiting teams which is where most college coaches will be watching. This will steal recruiting visability from younger players that are the correct grade in school.

Agreed, this push for August kids playing on grade with an extra special secret rule is nothing more than a ruse to go GY. Its too obvious. Leagues didn't have a problem with SY a bunch of years ago so will see no need to change.

SY 8/1-7/31 with a rule that players must play on a team with their grade is not GY because it doesnt allow older players (holdbacks, regrades, whatever) to play down on younger teams. The oldest player eligible to play on the team will always be 8/1 of that year.

GY means any players X grade can play on this team. What ends up happening is parents hold their kid back in school so they can be 1-2 years older than their teammates. This is what you see in HS.

Where's the proof they did the last time. Otherwise this is just hot air.

Ask anyone that was around pre 2016.

If players wanted to be taken seriously by college coaches they needed to play with their grade team not on the grade down team.

This is not new.

ECNL president already said they know they can’t align everyone by grade but they went with 8/1 to keep most kids together by grade. But it’s a 12 month cut off and that’s it. ECNL isn’t even allowed to make changes from that for league play, US soccer won’t allow it.

Only way they can incorporate changes by grade would be for showcases where new USSF rules are more flexible.

Stop saying things that arent true.

ECNL or any league can add a rule that younger players must play up on a team thats predominantly their grade in school. Which would happen anyway if they were looking to get recruited to play in college.

No they can’t? They have to follow US Club who follows the rules USSF sets for them. The only thing they can do is creat rules for their own showcases or become self governed.

Sigh... Theres more than US Club and multiple leagues that self sanction. Even then ECNL can create a rule saying younger players must play with their grade because they own the league rulebook not US Club.

ECNL said they don't want to go rogue on player age registration rules, they want to match other leagues and grades aren't in discussion.

[Anonymous]

From US Club website

An Aug. 1 age group cut-off best balances the desire to reduce both the number of “trapped” players and the number of “force-ups” in youth soccer.

A Jan. 1 age group cut-off creates the highest number of trapped players and negatively impacted youth players.

No age group cut-off will eliminate all trapped players or force-ups. States and counties throughout the country have widely different school year cut-offs, and this variance will always result in some number of trapped players or force-ups regardless of age group cut-off date.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whoever is posting is compleley unhinged.

Not only are they responding to their own posts. Now to try an "win" arguements they're posting as the people they dont agree with.

Leagues will add a rule to SY 8/1-7/31 that says players must play with their grade in school.

Maybe changes for Fall 2027, probably not. But way too late for Fall 2026 to switch from SY to GY.

Nobody is promoting GY but you at ECNL showcases.

Its SY 8/1-7/31 with a rule that players must play on their grade team. Which primarily means younger players of a certain grade cant play down a grade on the team below them.

As others have pointed out to you, that is GY and club soccer is age based. It is too late for your personal scheme to advantage your girl next year. Better luck the following year.

Theres no benefit or issue for my kid either way.

SY 8/1-7/31 with a rule that players must play with their grade in school is not GY because older players are not allowed to play down. The oldest any player can be is 8/1 of that year. As multiple people have told you multiple times.

Why do you think the other poster is fighting so hard against this type of rule? It seems pretty normal that leagues, clubs, most parents, and most players would want everyone on a team to be the same grade in school.

They're obviously autistic and have nothing else to do so they camp on this thread and try to be "right" on everything. Or the narrow definition of what they think right is.

Also I'm fairly certain that they want GY in ECNL specifically at showcases. If a rule was added to SY 8/1-7/31 saying that players must play with their grade you get the same end result (all players are the same graduating year). But, older players wouldn't be allowed to play down on younger teams at showcases. Basically they want to do is give their kid 3 maybe 4 shots at playing infront of the first year college recruiting teams which is where most college coaches will be watching. This will steal recruiting visability from younger players that are the correct grade in school.

Agreed, this push for August kids playing on grade with an extra special secret rule is nothing more than a ruse to go GY. Its too obvious. Leagues didn't have a problem with SY a bunch of years ago so will see no need to change.

SY 8/1-7/31 with a rule that players must play on a team with their grade is not GY because it doesnt allow older players (holdbacks, regrades, whatever) to play down on younger teams. The oldest player eligible to play on the team will always be 8/1 of that year.

GY means any players X grade can play on this team. What ends up happening is parents hold their kid back in school so they can be 1-2 years older than their teammates. This is what you see in HS.

Where's the proof they did the last time. Otherwise this is just hot air.

Ask anyone that was around pre 2016.

If players wanted to be taken seriously by college coaches they needed to play with their grade team not on the grade down team.

This is not new.

Give documented proof, then, where there was a rule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From US Club website

An Aug. 1 age group cut-off best balances the desire to reduce both the number of “trapped” players and the number of “force-ups” in youth soccer.

A Jan. 1 age group cut-off creates the highest number of trapped players and negatively impacted youth players.

No age group cut-off will eliminate all trapped players or force-ups. States and counties throughout the country have widely different school year cut-offs, and this variance will always result in some number of trapped players or force-ups regardless of age group cut-off date.

I've never heard the term "force ups" before.

This is an interesting term. Sure seems to imply that players younger than 8/1-7/31 will be forced to play up with their grade team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whoever is posting is compleley unhinged.

Not only are they responding to their own posts. Now to try an "win" arguements they're posting as the people they dont agree with.

Leagues will add a rule to SY 8/1-7/31 that says players must play with their grade in school.

Maybe changes for Fall 2027, probably not. But way too late for Fall 2026 to switch from SY to GY.

Nobody is promoting GY but you at ECNL showcases.

Its SY 8/1-7/31 with a rule that players must play on their grade team. Which primarily means younger players of a certain grade cant play down a grade on the team below them.

As others have pointed out to you, that is GY and club soccer is age based. It is too late for your personal scheme to advantage your girl next year. Better luck the following year.

Theres no benefit or issue for my kid either way.

SY 8/1-7/31 with a rule that players must play with their grade in school is not GY because older players are not allowed to play down. The oldest any player can be is 8/1 of that year. As multiple people have told you multiple times.

Why do you think the other poster is fighting so hard against this type of rule? It seems pretty normal that leagues, clubs, most parents, and most players would want everyone on a team to be the same grade in school.

Let’s just go with grad year then? If most people want everyone on a team to be the same grade.

Nobody wants players 1-2 years older playing on their team. So No GY won't happen. But if you add a rule to SY that says plays must play with their (if they're younger than 8/1-7/31) you get the same thing as GY but without the holdbacks/regrades.

Such a rule doesn't matter unless they implement it -- Did they last time? Where are the receipts? Where are the apples? If they exist, that says a ton. Yet, all I hear is crickets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From US Club website

An Aug. 1 age group cut-off best balances the desire to reduce both the number of “trapped” players and the number of “force-ups” in youth soccer.

A Jan. 1 age group cut-off creates the highest number of trapped players and negatively impacted youth players.

No age group cut-off will eliminate all trapped players or force-ups. States and counties throughout the country have widely different school year cut-offs, and this variance will always result in some number of trapped players or force-ups regardless of age group cut-off date.

I've never heard the term "force ups" before.

This is an interesting term. Sure seems to imply that players younger than 8/1-7/31 will be forced to play up with their grade team.

It implies they have to do it if they want to play with their friends. More context:

"Initially, US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer and AYSO had determined to use a Sept. 1 age group cut-off instead of Aug. 1. After receiving significant feedback and identifying missing information in Department of Education school year cut-off lists, it has been determined that the Aug. 1 cut-off best reduces misalignment between age and school year. The Aug. 1 cut-off reduces not only the trapped player effect, but it also reduces the number of “force-ups,” a term referring to players in a younger soccer age group but older school year who must play up an age group in order to be with their school-year friends."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From US Club website

An Aug. 1 age group cut-off best balances the desire to reduce both the number of “trapped” players and the number of “force-ups” in youth soccer.

A Jan. 1 age group cut-off creates the highest number of trapped players and negatively impacted youth players.

No age group cut-off will eliminate all trapped players or force-ups. States and counties throughout the country have widely different school year cut-offs, and this variance will always result in some number of trapped players or force-ups regardless of age group cut-off date.

I've never heard the term "force ups" before.

This is an interesting term. Sure seems to imply that players younger than 8/1-7/31 will be forced to play up with their grade team.

It implies they have to do it if they want to play with their friends. More context:

"Initially, US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer and AYSO had determined to use a Sept. 1 age group cut-off instead of Aug. 1. After receiving significant feedback and identifying missing information in Department of Education school year cut-off lists, it has been determined that the Aug. 1 cut-off best reduces misalignment between age and school year. The Aug. 1 cut-off reduces not only the trapped player effect, but it also reduces the number of “force-ups,” a term referring to players in a younger soccer age group but older school year who must play up an age group in order to be with their school-year friends."

So US Club has identified that players want to play with their grade in school. They also chose to change from 9/1 to 8/1 so there would be less trapped players and force ups which allows the most players to play with their grade in school.

Sure seems like US Club thinks players should play with their grade in school.

[Anonymous]

And college coaches want players to all the same grade on teams so its easier to recruit talent.

[Anonymous]

Here's the rub ... You can tell they don't want a rule; otherwise they'd wouldn't write around it.

[Anonymous]

And it makes sense that there won't be a rule because it empowers people -- clubs and parents -- to make those decisions on what's best for their kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From US Club website

An Aug. 1 age group cut-off best balances the desire to reduce both the number of “trapped” players and the number of “force-ups” in youth soccer.

A Jan. 1 age group cut-off creates the highest number of trapped players and negatively impacted youth players.

No age group cut-off will eliminate all trapped players or force-ups. States and counties throughout the country have widely different school year cut-offs, and this variance will always result in some number of trapped players or force-ups regardless of age group cut-off date.

I've never heard the term "force ups" before.

This is an interesting term. Sure seems to imply that players younger than 8/1-7/31 will be forced to play up with their grade team.

It implies they have to do it if they want to play with their friends. More context:

"Initially, US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer and AYSO had determined to use a Sept. 1 age group cut-off instead of Aug. 1. After receiving significant feedback and identifying missing information in Department of Education school year cut-off lists, it has been determined that the Aug. 1 cut-off best reduces misalignment between age and school year. The Aug. 1 cut-off reduces not only the trapped player effect, but it also reduces the number of “force-ups,” a term referring to players in a younger soccer age group but older school year who must play up an age group in order to be with their school-year friends."

So US Club has identified that players want to play with their grade in school. They also chose to change from 9/1 to 8/1 so there would be less trapped players and force ups which allows the most players to play with their grade in school.

Sure seems like US Club thinks players should play with their grade in school.

It doesn't. It says that they would be forced to play up if they want to play with their friends. And then by extension, the could play on age if they want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's the rub ... You can tell they don't want a rule; otherwise they'd wouldn't write around it.

Here's what I think will happen...

Top clubs that can pick and choose players for their top teams will group by 8/1-7/31 and force younger players to play with their grade. They'll have an internal policy to not mess around with playing down a grade.

Crappy clubs will take what thay can get and will roster players a grade down.

If no rule you'll see playing down with youngers. It wont happen on older teams because of recruiting

Overall everyone would be better off with a rule to stop parents that are looking for loopholes to play down.