Trapped/Re-aging Families, How are you having the conversation?

[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:If my August 2012 8th grader doesn’t play ‘up’ with her current team next year, she’s switching to volleyball and crew. It’s her call. If she played ‘down’ next year she’d miss a lot of practices because she’d also be playing on her high school team.

I’ve been honest with her since the podcast last year. I have no preference, just want her to be happy.

Back to update that our club is going by grade for the August kids. So my August 8th grader is happy but the 2 August 7th graders on her team are not. The club reviewed all ages and essentially all teams will remain at the same level of competitiveness (ECNL and ECRL) after the shifts except one of our 2010 teams, which will have a pretty significant talent hole they will need to fill.

And it begins....

This is exactly what I said would occur. Clubs will make young Aug/Sept players play on an A or B team thats their grade in school.

Looks like SY+30 guy was right all along.

That's fine, he's wrong about the rule part, tho!

What part is he wrong? If clubs make young Aug players play on a team thats their grade in school its the same thing as SY+30 with a 9/1 cutoff. Actually its better because all Aug and younger players (Sept, Oct, Nov. etc) have to play with their grade.

Just read the Arlington FAQ. Some clubs will just do it. Others won't. It's not a league rule. Flexibility is given. That's what he/you are wrong about.

Ahhh.... So the hill you've chosen to die on is that its not a written rule. But, you dont know this because the 2026/27 season rulebook hasn't been released yet.

Nevermind that clubs are grouping young Aug/Sept birthdays by grade.

But you were the one going on and on and on and on about how it was going to be and had to be a rule.

There might be a rule we dont know yet. But either way it doesn't matter. Clubs will group young Aug/Sept players by grade.

This is your main problem. You take 1 anonymous post and assume that's how it'll be everywhere whereas we have a major club saying it'll be case-by-case and you don't believe it. Confirmation bias at it's finest. That said, I'm willing to admit some or many clubs might generally force players up more as a wink and a nod. You seem not be able to handle such nuance just because you want to argue. That's why so many people find these back-and-forths not helpful.

Im not trying to argue Im explaining what WILL happen at the most competitive clubs. You might see smaller less competitive clubs try to cut corners by playing players down a grade for wins but everyone knows eventually those players will need to play with their grade if they want to get recruited to play in college. Top clubs will want to invest in players that will stay with the club and their team. Also they dont want to deal with the drama that comes with grade older players playing down. Its just more trouble than its worth. If you have 5-10 potential players for each position theres no need to allow playing down a grade. Once a couple of top clubs ban playing down. Other clubs will adopt the same policies.

It's also drama forcing players to play up an age group. Neither situation is ideal. It's lesser known reason why people didn't like SY in the first place and welcomed BY (beyond the whole it's for the national team thing). You chide people for not looking at what happened before but you also have rose-colored glasses.

This is what B teams are for. Eventually if they're good enough they'll find their way to an A team.

[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:If my August 2012 8th grader doesn’t play ‘up’ with her current team next year, she’s switching to volleyball and crew. It’s her call. If she played ‘down’ next year she’d miss a lot of practices because she’d also be playing on her high school team.

I’ve been honest with her since the podcast last year. I have no preference, just want her to be happy.

Back to update that our club is going by grade for the August kids. So my August 8th grader is happy but the 2 August 7th graders on her team are not. The club reviewed all ages and essentially all teams will remain at the same level of competitiveness (ECNL and ECRL) after the shifts except one of our 2010 teams, which will have a pretty significant talent hole they will need to fill.

And it begins....

This is exactly what I said would occur. Clubs will make young Aug/Sept players play on an A or B team thats their grade in school.

Looks like SY+30 guy was right all along.

That's fine, he's wrong about the rule part, tho!

What part is he wrong? If clubs make young Aug players play on a team thats their grade in school its the same thing as SY+30 with a 9/1 cutoff. Actually its better because all Aug and younger players (Sept, Oct, Nov. etc) have to play with their grade.

Just read the Arlington FAQ. Some clubs will just do it. Others won't. It's not a league rule. Flexibility is given. That's what he/you are wrong about.

Ahhh.... So the hill you've chosen to die on is that its not a written rule. But, you dont know this because the 2026/27 season rulebook hasn't been released yet.

Nevermind that clubs are grouping young Aug/Sept birthdays by grade.

But you were the one going on and on and on and on about how it was going to be and had to be a rule.

There might be a rule we dont know yet. But either way it doesn't matter. Clubs will group young Aug/Sept players by grade.

This is your main problem. You take 1 anonymous post and assume that's how it'll be everywhere whereas we have a major club saying it'll be case-by-case and you don't believe it. Confirmation bias at it's finest. That said, I'm willing to admit some or many clubs might generally force players up more as a wink and a nod. You seem not be able to handle such nuance just because you want to argue. That's why so many people find these back-and-forths not helpful.

Im not trying to argue Im explaining what WILL happen at the most competitive clubs. You might see smaller less competitive clubs try to cut corners by playing players down a grade for wins but everyone knows eventually those players will need to play with their grade if they want to get recruited to play in college. Top clubs will want to invest in players that will stay with the club and their team. Also they dont want to deal with the drama that comes with grade older players playing down. Its just more trouble than its worth. If you have 5-10 potential players for each position theres no need to allow playing down a grade. Once a couple of top clubs ban playing down. Other clubs will adopt the same policies.

I'll put it a different way say you have a grade up young Aug/Sept player thats really good. With A teams players one level/grade appart can usually scrimmage each other and provide relatively equivalent competition. How would you roster this player? Would you play them down a grade and diminish their development for win knowing that eventually they'll need to play with their grade to get recruited for college. Or, do you bite the bullet when they're young and play them with their grade allowing them to develop to a higher level at a younger age?

The rest of the young grade up Aug/Sept birthdays should play on their grade B team so they're not taking spots from players the correct grade on the A team.

I don't think "playing down" in this instance automatically means diminished development OR chasing wins. You're hung up on absolutes and rules of thumb. I could totally see an Aug player play who starts next year in the SY system play on age through U12 and thanks to RAE develop into a top age group player where they can actually be good enough to play up with grade at U13 on the top team. But if that player isn't good enough to make that jump, they shouldn't be forced to. What's most important here is to NOT make it about grade but about the soccer.

[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:If my August 2012 8th grader doesn’t play ‘up’ with her current team next year, she’s switching to volleyball and crew. It’s her call. If she played ‘down’ next year she’d miss a lot of practices because she’d also be playing on her high school team.

I’ve been honest with her since the podcast last year. I have no preference, just want her to be happy.

Back to update that our club is going by grade for the August kids. So my August 8th grader is happy but the 2 August 7th graders on her team are not. The club reviewed all ages and essentially all teams will remain at the same level of competitiveness (ECNL and ECRL) after the shifts except one of our 2010 teams, which will have a pretty significant talent hole they will need to fill.

And it begins....

This is exactly what I said would occur. Clubs will make young Aug/Sept players play on an A or B team thats their grade in school.

Looks like SY+30 guy was right all along.

That's fine, he's wrong about the rule part, tho!

What part is he wrong? If clubs make young Aug players play on a team thats their grade in school its the same thing as SY+30 with a 9/1 cutoff. Actually its better because all Aug and younger players (Sept, Oct, Nov. etc) have to play with their grade.

Just read the Arlington FAQ. Some clubs will just do it. Others won't. It's not a league rule. Flexibility is given. That's what he/you are wrong about.

Ahhh.... So the hill you've chosen to die on is that its not a written rule. But, you dont know this because the 2026/27 season rulebook hasn't been released yet.

Nevermind that clubs are grouping young Aug/Sept birthdays by grade.

But you were the one going on and on and on and on about how it was going to be and had to be a rule.

There might be a rule we dont know yet. But either way it doesn't matter. Clubs will group young Aug/Sept players by grade.

This is your main problem. You take 1 anonymous post and assume that's how it'll be everywhere whereas we have a major club saying it'll be case-by-case and you don't believe it. Confirmation bias at it's finest. That said, I'm willing to admit some or many clubs might generally force players up more as a wink and a nod. You seem not be able to handle such nuance just because you want to argue. That's why so many people find these back-and-forths not helpful.

Im not trying to argue Im explaining what WILL happen at the most competitive clubs. You might see smaller less competitive clubs try to cut corners by playing players down a grade for wins but everyone knows eventually those players will need to play with their grade if they want to get recruited to play in college. Top clubs will want to invest in players that will stay with the club and their team. Also they dont want to deal with the drama that comes with grade older players playing down. Its just more trouble than its worth. If you have 5-10 potential players for each position theres no need to allow playing down a grade. Once a couple of top clubs ban playing down. Other clubs will adopt the same policies.

It's also drama forcing players to play up an age group. Neither situation is ideal. It's lesser known reason why people didn't like SY in the first place and welcomed BY (beyond the whole it's for the national team thing). You chide people for not looking at what happened before but you also have rose-colored glasses.

This is what B teams are for. Eventually if they're good enough they'll find their way to an A team.

With this line of thinking, you might as well have the kid just repeat a grade in school (which they shouldn't have to do).

[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:If my August 2012 8th grader doesn’t play ‘up’ with her current team next year, she’s switching to volleyball and crew. It’s her call. If she played ‘down’ next year she’d miss a lot of practices because she’d also be playing on her high school team.

I’ve been honest with her since the podcast last year. I have no preference, just want her to be happy.

Back to update that our club is going by grade for the August kids. So my August 8th grader is happy but the 2 August 7th graders on her team are not. The club reviewed all ages and essentially all teams will remain at the same level of competitiveness (ECNL and ECRL) after the shifts except one of our 2010 teams, which will have a pretty significant talent hole they will need to fill.

And it begins....

This is exactly what I said would occur. Clubs will make young Aug/Sept players play on an A or B team thats their grade in school.

Looks like SY+30 guy was right all along.

That's fine, he's wrong about the rule part, tho!

What part is he wrong? If clubs make young Aug players play on a team thats their grade in school its the same thing as SY+30 with a 9/1 cutoff. Actually its better because all Aug and younger players (Sept, Oct, Nov. etc) have to play with their grade.

Just read the Arlington FAQ. Some clubs will just do it. Others won't. It's not a league rule. Flexibility is given. That's what he/you are wrong about.

Ahhh.... So the hill you've chosen to die on is that its not a written rule. But, you dont know this because the 2026/27 season rulebook hasn't been released yet.

Nevermind that clubs are grouping young Aug/Sept birthdays by grade.

But you were the one going on and on and on and on about how it was going to be and had to be a rule.

There might be a rule we dont know yet. But either way it doesn't matter. Clubs will group young Aug/Sept players by grade.

This is your main problem. You take 1 anonymous post and assume that's how it'll be everywhere whereas we have a major club saying it'll be case-by-case and you don't believe it. Confirmation bias at it's finest. That said, I'm willing to admit some or many clubs might generally force players up more as a wink and a nod. You seem not be able to handle such nuance just because you want to argue. That's why so many people find these back-and-forths not helpful.

Im not trying to argue Im explaining what WILL happen at the most competitive clubs. You might see smaller less competitive clubs try to cut corners by playing players down a grade for wins but everyone knows eventually those players will need to play with their grade if they want to get recruited to play in college. Top clubs will want to invest in players that will stay with the club and their team. Also they dont want to deal with the drama that comes with grade older players playing down. Its just more trouble than its worth. If you have 5-10 potential players for each position theres no need to allow playing down a grade. Once a couple of top clubs ban playing down. Other clubs will adopt the same policies.

It's also drama forcing players to play up an age group. Neither situation is ideal. It's lesser known reason why people didn't like SY in the first place and welcomed BY (beyond the whole it's for the national team thing). You chide people for not looking at what happened before but you also have rose-colored glasses.

This is what B teams are for. Eventually if they're good enough they'll find their way to an A team.

With this line of thinking, you might as well have the kid just repeat a grade in school (which they shouldn't have to do).

Many will choose to do this even if they're a starter on a grade up team. Unfortunately SY allows this one edge case

[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:If my August 2012 8th grader doesn’t play ‘up’ with her current team next year, she’s switching to volleyball and crew. It’s her call. If she played ‘down’ next year she’d miss a lot of practices because she’d also be playing on her high school team.

I’ve been honest with her since the podcast last year. I have no preference, just want her to be happy.

Back to update that our club is going by grade for the August kids. So my August 8th grader is happy but the 2 August 7th graders on her team are not. The club reviewed all ages and essentially all teams will remain at the same level of competitiveness (ECNL and ECRL) after the shifts except one of our 2010 teams, which will have a pretty significant talent hole they will need to fill.

And it begins....

This is exactly what I said would occur. Clubs will make young Aug/Sept players play on an A or B team thats their grade in school.

Looks like SY+30 guy was right all along.

That's fine, he's wrong about the rule part, tho!

What part is he wrong? If clubs make young Aug players play on a team thats their grade in school its the same thing as SY+30 with a 9/1 cutoff. Actually its better because all Aug and younger players (Sept, Oct, Nov. etc) have to play with their grade.

Just read the Arlington FAQ. Some clubs will just do it. Others won't. It's not a league rule. Flexibility is given. That's what he/you are wrong about.

Ahhh.... So the hill you've chosen to die on is that its not a written rule. But, you dont know this because the 2026/27 season rulebook hasn't been released yet.

Nevermind that clubs are grouping young Aug/Sept birthdays by grade.

But you were the one going on and on and on and on about how it was going to be and had to be a rule.

There might be a rule we dont know yet. But either way it doesn't matter. Clubs will group young Aug/Sept players by grade.

This is your main problem. You take 1 anonymous post and assume that's how it'll be everywhere whereas we have a major club saying it'll be case-by-case and you don't believe it. Confirmation bias at it's finest. That said, I'm willing to admit some or many clubs might generally force players up more as a wink and a nod. You seem not be able to handle such nuance just because you want to argue. That's why so many people find these back-and-forths not helpful.

Im not trying to argue Im explaining what WILL happen at the most competitive clubs. You might see smaller less competitive clubs try to cut corners by playing players down a grade for wins but everyone knows eventually those players will need to play with their grade if they want to get recruited to play in college. Top clubs will want to invest in players that will stay with the club and their team. Also they dont want to deal with the drama that comes with grade older players playing down. Its just more trouble than its worth. If you have 5-10 potential players for each position theres no need to allow playing down a grade. Once a couple of top clubs ban playing down. Other clubs will adopt the same policies.

It's also drama forcing players to play up an age group. Neither situation is ideal. It's lesser known reason why people didn't like SY in the first place and welcomed BY (beyond the whole it's for the national team thing). You chide people for not looking at what happened before but you also have rose-colored glasses.

This is what B teams are for. Eventually if they're good enough they'll find their way to an A team.

With this line of thinking, you might as well have the kid just repeat a grade in school (which they shouldn't have to do).

Many will choose to do this even if they're a starter on a grade up team. Unfortunately SY allows this one edge case

Like others have relevantly asked: Will those Aug-Dec starters still be starters if they stay as the Aug-Dec olders join? Parents shouldn't be so entitled.

[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:If my August 2012 8th grader doesn’t play ‘up’ with her current team next year, she’s switching to volleyball and crew. It’s her call. If she played ‘down’ next year she’d miss a lot of practices because she’d also be playing on her high school team.

I’ve been honest with her since the podcast last year. I have no preference, just want her to be happy.

Back to update that our club is going by grade for the August kids. So my August 8th grader is happy but the 2 August 7th graders on her team are not. The club reviewed all ages and essentially all teams will remain at the same level of competitiveness (ECNL and ECRL) after the shifts except one of our 2010 teams, which will have a pretty significant talent hole they will need to fill.

And it begins....

This is exactly what I said would occur. Clubs will make young Aug/Sept players play on an A or B team thats their grade in school.

Looks like SY+30 guy was right all along.

That's fine, he's wrong about the rule part, tho!

What part is he wrong? If clubs make young Aug players play on a team thats their grade in school its the same thing as SY+30 with a 9/1 cutoff. Actually its better because all Aug and younger players (Sept, Oct, Nov. etc) have to play with their grade.

Just read the Arlington FAQ. Some clubs will just do it. Others won't. It's not a league rule. Flexibility is given. That's what he/you are wrong about.

Ahhh.... So the hill you've chosen to die on is that its not a written rule. But, you dont know this because the 2026/27 season rulebook hasn't been released yet.

Nevermind that clubs are grouping young Aug/Sept birthdays by grade.

But you were the one going on and on and on and on about how it was going to be and had to be a rule.

There might be a rule we dont know yet. But either way it doesn't matter. Clubs will group young Aug/Sept players by grade.

This is your main problem. You take 1 anonymous post and assume that's how it'll be everywhere whereas we have a major club saying it'll be case-by-case and you don't believe it. Confirmation bias at it's finest. That said, I'm willing to admit some or many clubs might generally force players up more as a wink and a nod. You seem not be able to handle such nuance just because you want to argue. That's why so many people find these back-and-forths not helpful.

Im not trying to argue Im explaining what WILL happen at the most competitive clubs. You might see smaller less competitive clubs try to cut corners by playing players down a grade for wins but everyone knows eventually those players will need to play with their grade if they want to get recruited to play in college. Top clubs will want to invest in players that will stay with the club and their team. Also they dont want to deal with the drama that comes with grade older players playing down. Its just more trouble than its worth. If you have 5-10 potential players for each position theres no need to allow playing down a grade. Once a couple of top clubs ban playing down. Other clubs will adopt the same policies.

It's also drama forcing players to play up an age group. Neither situation is ideal. It's lesser known reason why people didn't like SY in the first place and welcomed BY (beyond the whole it's for the national team thing). You chide people for not looking at what happened before but you also have rose-colored glasses.

This is what B teams are for. Eventually if they're good enough they'll find their way to an A team.

With this line of thinking, you might as well have the kid just repeat a grade in school (which they shouldn't have to do).

Many will choose to do this even if they're a starter on a grade up team. Unfortunately SY allows this one edge case

Like others have relevantly asked: Will those Aug-Dec starters still be starters if they stay as the Aug-Dec olders join? Parents shouldn't be so entitled.

Do players start now in BY based on their birth month or based on their performance and the coach's needs?

[Anonymous]

I never once complained about Q1 kids. It was never questioned about them playing "down."

If my Q4 kid chooses to remain with his 1-year age group which IS THE SAME AS BY with simply a change of date ranges, why is this even an issue?

Down or Up are parent constructs that have nothing to do with 1-year bands of kids playing with each other.

[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:If my August 2012 8th grader doesn’t play ‘up’ with her current team next year, she’s switching to volleyball and crew. It’s her call. If she played ‘down’ next year she’d miss a lot of practices because she’d also be playing on her high school team.

I’ve been honest with her since the podcast last year. I have no preference, just want her to be happy.

Back to update that our club is going by grade for the August kids. So my August 8th grader is happy but the 2 August 7th graders on her team are not. The club reviewed all ages and essentially all teams will remain at the same level of competitiveness (ECNL and ECRL) after the shifts except one of our 2010 teams, which will have a pretty significant talent hole they will need to fill.

And it begins....

This is exactly what I said would occur. Clubs will make young Aug/Sept players play on an A or B team thats their grade in school.

Looks like SY+30 guy was right all along.

That's fine, he's wrong about the rule part, tho!

What part is he wrong? If clubs make young Aug players play on a team thats their grade in school its the same thing as SY+30 with a 9/1 cutoff. Actually its better because all Aug and younger players (Sept, Oct, Nov. etc) have to play with their grade.

Just read the Arlington FAQ. Some clubs will just do it. Others won't. It's not a league rule. Flexibility is given. That's what he/you are wrong about.

Ahhh.... So the hill you've chosen to die on is that its not a written rule. But, you dont know this because the 2026/27 season rulebook hasn't been released yet.

Nevermind that clubs are grouping young Aug/Sept birthdays by grade.

But you were the one going on and on and on and on about how it was going to be and had to be a rule.

There might be a rule we dont know yet. But either way it doesn't matter. Clubs will group young Aug/Sept players by grade.

This is your main problem. You take 1 anonymous post and assume that's how it'll be everywhere whereas we have a major club saying it'll be case-by-case and you don't believe it. Confirmation bias at it's finest. That said, I'm willing to admit some or many clubs might generally force players up more as a wink and a nod. You seem not be able to handle such nuance just because you want to argue. That's why so many people find these back-and-forths not helpful.

Im not trying to argue Im explaining what WILL happen at the most competitive clubs. You might see smaller less competitive clubs try to cut corners by playing players down a grade for wins but everyone knows eventually those players will need to play with their grade if they want to get recruited to play in college. Top clubs will want to invest in players that will stay with the club and their team. Also they dont want to deal with the drama that comes with grade older players playing down. Its just more trouble than its worth. If you have 5-10 potential players for each position theres no need to allow playing down a grade. Once a couple of top clubs ban playing down. Other clubs will adopt the same policies.

It's also drama forcing players to play up an age group. Neither situation is ideal. It's lesser known reason why people didn't like SY in the first place and welcomed BY (beyond the whole it's for the national team thing). You chide people for not looking at what happened before but you also have rose-colored glasses.

This is what B teams are for. Eventually if they're good enough they'll find their way to an A team.

With this line of thinking, you might as well have the kid just repeat a grade in school (which they shouldn't have to do).

Many will choose to do this even if they're a starter on a grade up team. Unfortunately SY allows this one edge case

Like others have relevantly asked: Will those Aug-Dec starters still be starters if they stay as the Aug-Dec olders join? Parents shouldn't be so entitled.

Do players start now in BY based on their birth month or based on their performance and the coach's needs?

Birth month from the teams I have seen. Q4 mostly on bench now should switch to Q2 on bench under SY.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:If my August 2012 8th grader doesn’t play ‘up’ with her current team next year, she’s switching to volleyball and crew. It’s her call. If she played ‘down’ next year she’d miss a lot of practices because she’d also be playing on her high school team.

I’ve been honest with her since the podcast last year. I have no preference, just want her to be happy.

Back to update that our club is going by grade for the August kids. So my August 8th grader is happy but the 2 August 7th graders on her team are not. The club reviewed all ages and essentially all teams will remain at the same level of competitiveness (ECNL and ECRL) after the shifts except one of our 2010 teams, which will have a pretty significant talent hole they will need to fill.

And it begins....

This is exactly what I said would occur. Clubs will make young Aug/Sept players play on an A or B team thats their grade in school.

Looks like SY+30 guy was right all along.

That's fine, he's wrong about the rule part, tho!

What part is he wrong? If clubs make young Aug players play on a team thats their grade in school its the same thing as SY+30 with a 9/1 cutoff. Actually its better because all Aug and younger players (Sept, Oct, Nov. etc) have to play with their grade.

Just read the Arlington FAQ. Some clubs will just do it. Others won't. It's not a league rule. Flexibility is given. That's what he/you are wrong about.

Ahhh.... So the hill you've chosen to die on is that its not a written rule. But, you dont know this because the 2026/27 season rulebook hasn't been released yet.

Nevermind that clubs are grouping young Aug/Sept birthdays by grade.

But you were the one going on and on and on and on about how it was going to be and had to be a rule.

There might be a rule we dont know yet. But either way it doesn't matter. Clubs will group young Aug/Sept players by grade.

This is your main problem. You take 1 anonymous post and assume that's how it'll be everywhere whereas we have a major club saying it'll be case-by-case and you don't believe it. Confirmation bias at it's finest. That said, I'm willing to admit some or many clubs might generally force players up more as a wink and a nod. You seem not be able to handle such nuance just because you want to argue. That's why so many people find these back-and-forths not helpful.

Im not trying to argue Im explaining what WILL happen at the most competitive clubs. You might see smaller less competitive clubs try to cut corners by playing players down a grade for wins but everyone knows eventually those players will need to play with their grade if they want to get recruited to play in college. Top clubs will want to invest in players that will stay with the club and their team. Also they dont want to deal with the drama that comes with grade older players playing down. Its just more trouble than its worth. If you have 5-10 potential players for each position theres no need to allow playing down a grade. Once a couple of top clubs ban playing down. Other clubs will adopt the same policies.

It's also drama forcing players to play up an age group. Neither situation is ideal. It's lesser known reason why people didn't like SY in the first place and welcomed BY (beyond the whole it's for the national team thing). You chide people for not looking at what happened before but you also have rose-colored glasses.

This is what B teams are for. Eventually if they're good enough they'll find their way to an A team.

With this line of thinking, you might as well have the kid just repeat a grade in school (which they shouldn't have to do).

Many will choose to do this even if they're a starter on a grade up team. Unfortunately SY allows this one edge case

Like others have relevantly asked: Will those Aug-Dec starters still be starters if they stay as the Aug-Dec olders join? Parents shouldn't be so entitled.

Do players start now in BY based on their birth month or based on their performance and the coach's needs?

Birth month from the teams I have seen. Q4 mostly on bench now should switch to Q2 on bench under SY.

Causation vs Correlation

No coach looks at their roster and select players by birth month
They select by performance

If the best 9 or 11 are born in Q1 because of the team make-up selection process, then that's the illusion

[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:

Anonymous wrote:If my August 2012 8th grader doesn’t play ‘up’ with her current team next year, she’s switching to volleyball and crew. It’s her call. If she played ‘down’ next year she’d miss a lot of practices because she’d also be playing on her high school team.

I’ve been honest with her since the podcast last year. I have no preference, just want her to be happy.

Back to update that our club is going by grade for the August kids. So my August 8th grader is happy but the 2 August 7th graders on her team are not. The club reviewed all ages and essentially all teams will remain at the same level of competitiveness (ECNL and ECRL) after the shifts except one of our 2010 teams, which will have a pretty significant talent hole they will need to fill.

And it begins....

This is exactly what I said would occur. Clubs will make young Aug/Sept players play on an A or B team thats their grade in school.

Looks like SY+30 guy was right all along.

That's fine, he's wrong about the rule part, tho!

What part is he wrong? If clubs make young Aug players play on a team thats their grade in school its the same thing as SY+30 with a 9/1 cutoff. Actually its better because all Aug and younger players (Sept, Oct, Nov. etc) have to play with their grade.

Just read the Arlington FAQ. Some clubs will just do it. Others won't. It's not a league rule. Flexibility is given. That's what he/you are wrong about.

Ahhh.... So the hill you've chosen to die on is that its not a written rule. But, you dont know this because the 2026/27 season rulebook hasn't been released yet.

Nevermind that clubs are grouping young Aug/Sept birthdays by grade.

But you were the one going on and on and on and on about how it was going to be and had to be a rule.

There might be a rule we dont know yet. But either way it doesn't matter. Clubs will group young Aug/Sept players by grade.

This is your main problem. You take 1 anonymous post and assume that's how it'll be everywhere whereas we have a major club saying it'll be case-by-case and you don't believe it. Confirmation bias at it's finest. That said, I'm willing to admit some or many clubs might generally force players up more as a wink and a nod. You seem not be able to handle such nuance just because you want to argue. That's why so many people find these back-and-forths not helpful.

Im not trying to argue Im explaining what WILL happen at the most competitive clubs. You might see smaller less competitive clubs try to cut corners by playing players down a grade for wins but everyone knows eventually those players will need to play with their grade if they want to get recruited to play in college. Top clubs will want to invest in players that will stay with the club and their team. Also they dont want to deal with the drama that comes with grade older players playing down. Its just more trouble than its worth. If you have 5-10 potential players for each position theres no need to allow playing down a grade. Once a couple of top clubs ban playing down. Other clubs will adopt the same policies.

It's also drama forcing players to play up an age group. Neither situation is ideal. It's lesser known reason why people didn't like SY in the first place and welcomed BY (beyond the whole it's for the national team thing). You chide people for not looking at what happened before but you also have rose-colored glasses.

This is what B teams are for. Eventually if they're good enough they'll find their way to an A team.

With this line of thinking, you might as well have the kid just repeat a grade in school (which they shouldn't have to do).

Many will choose to do this even if they're a starter on a grade up team. Unfortunately SY allows this one edge case

Like others have relevantly asked: Will those Aug-Dec starters still be starters if they stay as the Aug-Dec olders join? Parents shouldn't be so entitled.

Do players start now in BY based on their birth month or based on their performance and the coach's needs?

Birth month from the teams I have seen. Q4 mostly on bench now should switch to Q2 on bench under SY.

Nothing really changes it’s still a 12 month time range. What changes is WHO is at the top or bottom of the range. If you are complaining now because your kid will be at the bottom of the new range, where was your concern for the bottom kids before? No matter where the 12 month range begins there will always be a top and bottom.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If my August 2012 8th grader doesn’t play ‘up’ with her current team next year, she’s switching to volleyball and crew. It’s her call. If she played ‘down’ next year she’d miss a lot of practices because she’d also be playing on her high school team.

I’ve been honest with her since the podcast last year. I have no preference, just want her to be happy.

Back to update that our club is going by grade for the August kids. So my August 8th grader is happy but the 2 August 7th graders on her team are not. The club reviewed all ages and essentially all teams will remain at the same level of competitiveness (ECNL and ECRL) after the shifts except one of our 2010 teams, which will have a pretty significant talent hole they will need to fill.

And it begins....

This is exactly what I said would occur. Clubs will make young Aug/Sept players play on an A or B team thats their grade in school.

Looks like SY+30 guy was right all along.

That's fine, he's wrong about the rule part, tho!

What part is he wrong? If clubs make young Aug players play on a team thats their grade in school its the same thing as SY+30 with a 9/1 cutoff. Actually its better because all Aug and younger players (Sept, Oct, Nov. etc) have to play with their grade.

Just read the Arlington FAQ. Some clubs will just do it. Others won't. It's not a league rule. Flexibility is given. That's what he/you are wrong about.

Ahhh.... So the hill you've chosen to die on is that its not a written rule. But, you dont know this because the 2026/27 season rulebook hasn't been released yet.

Nevermind that clubs are grouping young Aug/Sept birthdays by grade.

But you were the one going on and on and on and on about how it was going to be and had to be a rule.

There might be a rule we dont know yet. But either way it doesn't matter. Clubs will group young Aug/Sept players by grade.

This is your main problem. You take 1 anonymous post and assume that's how it'll be everywhere whereas we have a major club saying it'll be case-by-case and you don't believe it. Confirmation bias at it's finest. That said, I'm willing to admit some or many clubs might generally force players up more as a wink and a nod. You seem not be able to handle such nuance just because you want to argue. That's why so many people find these back-and-forths not helpful.

Im not trying to argue Im explaining what WILL happen at the most competitive clubs. You might see smaller less competitive clubs try to cut corners by playing players down a grade for wins but everyone knows eventually those players will need to play with their grade if they want to get recruited to play in college. Top clubs will want to invest in players that will stay with the club and their team. Also they dont want to deal with the drama that comes with grade older players playing down. Its just more trouble than its worth. If you have 5-10 potential players for each position theres no need to allow playing down a grade. Once a couple of top clubs ban playing down. Other clubs will adopt the same policies.

It's also drama forcing players to play up an age group. Neither situation is ideal. It's lesser known reason why people didn't like SY in the first place and welcomed BY (beyond the whole it's for the national team thing). You chide people for not looking at what happened before but you also have rose-colored glasses.

This is what B teams are for. Eventually if they're good enough they'll find their way to an A team.

With this line of thinking, you might as well have the kid just repeat a grade in school (which they shouldn't have to do).

Many will choose to do this even if they're a starter on a grade up team. Unfortunately SY allows this one edge case

Like others have relevantly asked: Will those Aug-Dec starters still be starters if they stay as the Aug-Dec olders join? Parents shouldn't be so entitled.

Do players start now in BY based on their birth month or based on their performance and the coach's needs?

Birth month from the teams I have seen. Q4 mostly on bench now should switch to Q2 on bench under SY.

Causation vs Correlation

No coach looks at their roster and select players by birth month
They select by performance

If the best 9 or 11 are born in Q1 because of the team make-up selection process, then that's the illusion

Everyone knows there is an advantage
to being in the older cohort. People who have that privilege now are being forced to give it to someone else and they aren’t happy. All the rest is noise.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If my August 2012 8th grader doesn’t play ‘up’ with her current team next year, she’s switching to volleyball and crew. It’s her call. If she played ‘down’ next year she’d miss a lot of practices because she’d also be playing on her high school team.

I’ve been honest with her since the podcast last year. I have no preference, just want her to be happy.

Back to update that our club is going by grade for the August kids. So my August 8th grader is happy but the 2 August 7th graders on her team are not. The club reviewed all ages and essentially all teams will remain at the same level of competitiveness (ECNL and ECRL) after the shifts except one of our 2010 teams, which will have a pretty significant talent hole they will need to fill.

And it begins....

This is exactly what I said would occur. Clubs will make young Aug/Sept players play on an A or B team thats their grade in school.

Looks like SY+30 guy was right all along.

That's fine, he's wrong about the rule part, tho!

What part is he wrong? If clubs make young Aug players play on a team thats their grade in school its the same thing as SY+30 with a 9/1 cutoff. Actually its better because all Aug and younger players (Sept, Oct, Nov. etc) have to play with their grade.

Just read the Arlington FAQ. Some clubs will just do it. Others won't. It's not a league rule. Flexibility is given. That's what he/you are wrong about.

Ahhh.... So the hill you've chosen to die on is that its not a written rule. But, you dont know this because the 2026/27 season rulebook hasn't been released yet.

Nevermind that clubs are grouping young Aug/Sept birthdays by grade.

But you were the one going on and on and on and on about how it was going to be and had to be a rule.

There might be a rule we dont know yet. But either way it doesn't matter. Clubs will group young Aug/Sept players by grade.

This is your main problem. You take 1 anonymous post and assume that's how it'll be everywhere whereas we have a major club saying it'll be case-by-case and you don't believe it. Confirmation bias at it's finest. That said, I'm willing to admit some or many clubs might generally force players up more as a wink and a nod. You seem not be able to handle such nuance just because you want to argue. That's why so many people find these back-and-forths not helpful.

Im not trying to argue Im explaining what WILL happen at the most competitive clubs. You might see smaller less competitive clubs try to cut corners by playing players down a grade for wins but everyone knows eventually those players will need to play with their grade if they want to get recruited to play in college. Top clubs will want to invest in players that will stay with the club and their team. Also they dont want to deal with the drama that comes with grade older players playing down. Its just more trouble than its worth. If you have 5-10 potential players for each position theres no need to allow playing down a grade. Once a couple of top clubs ban playing down. Other clubs will adopt the same policies.

It's also drama forcing players to play up an age group. Neither situation is ideal. It's lesser known reason why people didn't like SY in the first place and welcomed BY (beyond the whole it's for the national team thing). You chide people for not looking at what happened before but you also have rose-colored glasses.

This is what B teams are for. Eventually if they're good enough they'll find their way to an A team.

With this line of thinking, you might as well have the kid just repeat a grade in school (which they shouldn't have to do).

Many will choose to do this even if they're a starter on a grade up team. Unfortunately SY allows this one edge case

Like others have relevantly asked: Will those Aug-Dec starters still be starters if they stay as the Aug-Dec olders join? Parents shouldn't be so entitled.

Do players start now in BY based on their birth month or based on their performance and the coach's needs?

Birth month from the teams I have seen. Q4 mostly on bench now should switch to Q2 on bench under SY.

Causation vs Correlation

No coach looks at their roster and select players by birth month
They select by performance

If the best 9 or 11 are born in Q1 because of the team make-up selection process, then that's the illusion

They select on size, aka birth month, not performance.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If my August 2012 8th grader doesn’t play ‘up’ with her current team next year, she’s switching to volleyball and crew. It’s her call. If she played ‘down’ next year she’d miss a lot of practices because she’d also be playing on her high school team.

I’ve been honest with her since the podcast last year. I have no preference, just want her to be happy.

Back to update that our club is going by grade for the August kids. So my August 8th grader is happy but the 2 August 7th graders on her team are not. The club reviewed all ages and essentially all teams will remain at the same level of competitiveness (ECNL and ECRL) after the shifts except one of our 2010 teams, which will have a pretty significant talent hole they will need to fill.

And it begins....

This is exactly what I said would occur. Clubs will make young Aug/Sept players play on an A or B team thats their grade in school.

Looks like SY+30 guy was right all along.

That's fine, he's wrong about the rule part, tho!

What part is he wrong? If clubs make young Aug players play on a team thats their grade in school its the same thing as SY+30 with a 9/1 cutoff. Actually its better because all Aug and younger players (Sept, Oct, Nov. etc) have to play with their grade.

Just read the Arlington FAQ. Some clubs will just do it. Others won't. It's not a league rule. Flexibility is given. That's what he/you are wrong about.

Ahhh.... So the hill you've chosen to die on is that its not a written rule. But, you dont know this because the 2026/27 season rulebook hasn't been released yet.

Nevermind that clubs are grouping young Aug/Sept birthdays by grade.

But you were the one going on and on and on and on about how it was going to be and had to be a rule.

There might be a rule we dont know yet. But either way it doesn't matter. Clubs will group young Aug/Sept players by grade.

This is your main problem. You take 1 anonymous post and assume that's how it'll be everywhere whereas we have a major club saying it'll be case-by-case and you don't believe it. Confirmation bias at it's finest. That said, I'm willing to admit some or many clubs might generally force players up more as a wink and a nod. You seem not be able to handle such nuance just because you want to argue. That's why so many people find these back-and-forths not helpful.

Im not trying to argue Im explaining what WILL happen at the most competitive clubs. You might see smaller less competitive clubs try to cut corners by playing players down a grade for wins but everyone knows eventually those players will need to play with their grade if they want to get recruited to play in college. Top clubs will want to invest in players that will stay with the club and their team. Also they dont want to deal with the drama that comes with grade older players playing down. Its just more trouble than its worth. If you have 5-10 potential players for each position theres no need to allow playing down a grade. Once a couple of top clubs ban playing down. Other clubs will adopt the same policies.

It's also drama forcing players to play up an age group. Neither situation is ideal. It's lesser known reason why people didn't like SY in the first place and welcomed BY (beyond the whole it's for the national team thing). You chide people for not looking at what happened before but you also have rose-colored glasses.

This is what B teams are for. Eventually if they're good enough they'll find their way to an A team.

With this line of thinking, you might as well have the kid just repeat a grade in school (which they shouldn't have to do).

Many will choose to do this even if they're a starter on a grade up team. Unfortunately SY allows this one edge case

Like others have relevantly asked: Will those Aug-Dec starters still be starters if they stay as the Aug-Dec olders join? Parents shouldn't be so entitled.

Do players start now in BY based on their birth month or based on their performance and the coach's needs?

Birth month from the teams I have seen. Q4 mostly on bench now should switch to Q2 on bench under SY.

Causation vs Correlation

No coach looks at their roster and select players by birth month
They select by performance

If the best 9 or 11 are born in Q1 because of the team make-up selection process, then that's the illusion

They select on size, aka birth month, not performance.

At young ages the older kids are faster, stronger, and as a result they perform better. The coaches are taking the best performing at that age. We all know that performance at age 9 doesn't translate to performance at 15. But what coach is going to take lower performing players for their current season?

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If my August 2012 8th grader doesn’t play ‘up’ with her current team next year, she’s switching to volleyball and crew. It’s her call. If she played ‘down’ next year she’d miss a lot of practices because she’d also be playing on her high school team.

I’ve been honest with her since the podcast last year. I have no preference, just want her to be happy.

Back to update that our club is going by grade for the August kids. So my August 8th grader is happy but the 2 August 7th graders on her team are not. The club reviewed all ages and essentially all teams will remain at the same level of competitiveness (ECNL and ECRL) after the shifts except one of our 2010 teams, which will have a pretty significant talent hole they will need to fill.

And it begins....

This is exactly what I said would occur. Clubs will make young Aug/Sept players play on an A or B team thats their grade in school.

Looks like SY+30 guy was right all along.

That's fine, he's wrong about the rule part, tho!

What part is he wrong? If clubs make young Aug players play on a team thats their grade in school its the same thing as SY+30 with a 9/1 cutoff. Actually its better because all Aug and younger players (Sept, Oct, Nov. etc) have to play with their grade.

Just read the Arlington FAQ. Some clubs will just do it. Others won't. It's not a league rule. Flexibility is given. That's what he/you are wrong about.

Ahhh.... So the hill you've chosen to die on is that its not a written rule. But, you dont know this because the 2026/27 season rulebook hasn't been released yet.

Nevermind that clubs are grouping young Aug/Sept birthdays by grade.

But you were the one going on and on and on and on about how it was going to be and had to be a rule.

There might be a rule we dont know yet. But either way it doesn't matter. Clubs will group young Aug/Sept players by grade.

This is your main problem. You take 1 anonymous post and assume that's how it'll be everywhere whereas we have a major club saying it'll be case-by-case and you don't believe it. Confirmation bias at it's finest. That said, I'm willing to admit some or many clubs might generally force players up more as a wink and a nod. You seem not be able to handle such nuance just because you want to argue. That's why so many people find these back-and-forths not helpful.

Im not trying to argue Im explaining what WILL happen at the most competitive clubs. You might see smaller less competitive clubs try to cut corners by playing players down a grade for wins but everyone knows eventually those players will need to play with their grade if they want to get recruited to play in college. Top clubs will want to invest in players that will stay with the club and their team. Also they dont want to deal with the drama that comes with grade older players playing down. Its just more trouble than its worth. If you have 5-10 potential players for each position theres no need to allow playing down a grade. Once a couple of top clubs ban playing down. Other clubs will adopt the same policies.

It's also drama forcing players to play up an age group. Neither situation is ideal. It's lesser known reason why people didn't like SY in the first place and welcomed BY (beyond the whole it's for the national team thing). You chide people for not looking at what happened before but you also have rose-colored glasses.

This is what B teams are for. Eventually if they're good enough they'll find their way to an A team.

With this line of thinking, you might as well have the kid just repeat a grade in school (which they shouldn't have to do).

Many will choose to do this even if they're a starter on a grade up team. Unfortunately SY allows this one edge case

Like others have relevantly asked: Will those Aug-Dec starters still be starters if they stay as the Aug-Dec olders join? Parents shouldn't be so entitled.

Do players start now in BY based on their birth month or based on their performance and the coach's needs?

Birth month from the teams I have seen. Q4 mostly on bench now should switch to Q2 on bench under SY.

Causation vs Correlation

No coach looks at their roster and select players by birth month
They select by performance

If the best 9 or 11 are born in Q1 because of the team make-up selection process, then that's the illusion

They select on size, aka birth month, not performance.

This really depends on the team/coach. A team with younger players in the age group who start on average right now (there are exceptions of course) are more apt to try to play possession and defense to compete. The question remains, when the age group shifts, does it make more sense for those kids to move to the younger age group OR stay on their current team and likely be at a greater disadvantage from teams who load up on the bigger, older more athletic types.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If my August 2012 8th grader doesn’t play ‘up’ with her current team next year, she’s switching to volleyball and crew. It’s her call. If she played ‘down’ next year she’d miss a lot of practices because she’d also be playing on her high school team.

I’ve been honest with her since the podcast last year. I have no preference, just want her to be happy.

Back to update that our club is going by grade for the August kids. So my August 8th grader is happy but the 2 August 7th graders on her team are not. The club reviewed all ages and essentially all teams will remain at the same level of competitiveness (ECNL and ECRL) after the shifts except one of our 2010 teams, which will have a pretty significant talent hole they will need to fill.

And it begins....

This is exactly what I said would occur. Clubs will make young Aug/Sept players play on an A or B team thats their grade in school.

Looks like SY+30 guy was right all along.

That's fine, he's wrong about the rule part, tho!

What part is he wrong? If clubs make young Aug players play on a team thats their grade in school its the same thing as SY+30 with a 9/1 cutoff. Actually its better because all Aug and younger players (Sept, Oct, Nov. etc) have to play with their grade.

Just read the Arlington FAQ. Some clubs will just do it. Others won't. It's not a league rule. Flexibility is given. That's what he/you are wrong about.

Ahhh.... So the hill you've chosen to die on is that its not a written rule. But, you dont know this because the 2026/27 season rulebook hasn't been released yet.

Nevermind that clubs are grouping young Aug/Sept birthdays by grade.

But you were the one going on and on and on and on about how it was going to be and had to be a rule.

There might be a rule we dont know yet. But either way it doesn't matter. Clubs will group young Aug/Sept players by grade.

This is your main problem. You take 1 anonymous post and assume that's how it'll be everywhere whereas we have a major club saying it'll be case-by-case and you don't believe it. Confirmation bias at it's finest. That said, I'm willing to admit some or many clubs might generally force players up more as a wink and a nod. You seem not be able to handle such nuance just because you want to argue. That's why so many people find these back-and-forths not helpful.

Im not trying to argue Im explaining what WILL happen at the most competitive clubs. You might see smaller less competitive clubs try to cut corners by playing players down a grade for wins but everyone knows eventually those players will need to play with their grade if they want to get recruited to play in college. Top clubs will want to invest in players that will stay with the club and their team. Also they dont want to deal with the drama that comes with grade older players playing down. Its just more trouble than its worth. If you have 5-10 potential players for each position theres no need to allow playing down a grade. Once a couple of top clubs ban playing down. Other clubs will adopt the same policies.

It's also drama forcing players to play up an age group. Neither situation is ideal. It's lesser known reason why people didn't like SY in the first place and welcomed BY (beyond the whole it's for the national team thing). You chide people for not looking at what happened before but you also have rose-colored glasses.

This is what B teams are for. Eventually if they're good enough they'll find their way to an A team.

With this line of thinking, you might as well have the kid just repeat a grade in school (which they shouldn't have to do).

Many will choose to do this even if they're a starter on a grade up team. Unfortunately SY allows this one edge case

Like others have relevantly asked: Will those Aug-Dec starters still be starters if they stay as the Aug-Dec olders join? Parents shouldn't be so entitled.

Do players start now in BY based on their birth month or based on their performance and the coach's needs?

Birth month from the teams I have seen. Q4 mostly on bench now should switch to Q2 on bench under SY.

Causation vs Correlation

No coach looks at their roster and select players by birth month
They select by performance

If the best 9 or 11 are born in Q1 because of the team make-up selection process, then that's the illusion

They select on size, aka birth month, not performance.

This really depends on the team/coach. A team with younger players in the age group who start on average right now (there are exceptions of course) are more apt to try to play possession and defense to compete. The question remains, when the age group shifts, does it make more sense for those kids to move to the younger age group OR stay on their current team and likely be at a greater disadvantage from teams who load up on the bigger, older more athletic types.

We all know the answer to this... A September kid moving 'down' to play with their actual grade will always make more sense than trying to play up. Especially, as you note, teams are going to start to shift to load up on the oldest kids they can. Just like they do now with Q1s.

My kid is a September U16 at an MLSN team, starts almost every game, but he is the only fall birthday in the squad. Heck, with the biobands in the squad and in the teams he plays against he is often at an almost 2 year disadvantage. He wants to play HS and is sort of burned out by MLSN so we will be changing in the fall. Not sure where he will end up but, being able, for once, to actually get to play with and against kids in his own grade will be a breath of fresh air.