ECNL moving to school year part 2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll make it easy for everyone. At the younger ages be the oldest on the top team, regardless of grade in school. Reap all the benefits for 8 or 9 years then move to your grade year for recruiting in high school. Way more advantage to being the oldest from 6 to 14 than being aligned to your grade.

Debatable, try being the youngest on an older team for a couple of years. Then play on a grade down team. You will absolutely tear everyone up. Unfortunately the advantage goes away after 6 months because players tend to play like the players they practice with / play against. This is why clubs dont have multi level practices all year. Coachs know it will drag down the older players and drag up the younger ones. You can do it occasionally though as long as you mix the groups up and down randomly.

The people actively looking for ways to play down want shortcuts. But these dont work long term or at the highest levels.

[Anonymous]

Heres the one age guy keeps hacking up incorrectly to make it seem like older players can play down when they can't.

Still 100% correct.

This is for next fall when SY starts.

11v11 = U18/U19 = ≤ 8/1/2007 ≈ Senior
11v11 = U17 = ≤ 8/1/2009 ≈ Junior
11v11 = U16 = ≤ 8/1/2010 ≈ Sophmore
11v11 = U15 = ≤ 8/1/2011 ≈ Freshman
11v11 = U14 = ≤ 8/1/2012 ≈ 8th grade
11v11 = U13 = ≤ 8/1/2013 ≈ 7th grade
9v9/11v11 = U12 = ≤ 8/1/2014 ≈ 6th grade
9v9 = U11 = ≤ 8/1/2015 ≈ 5th grade
9v9 = U10 = ≤ 8/1/2016 ≈ 4th grade
7v7 = U9 = ≤ 8/1/2017 ≈ 3rd grade
7v7 = U8 = ≤ 8/1/2018 ≈ 2nd grade
4v4 = U7 = ≤ 8/1/2019 ≈ 1st grade
4v4 = U6 = ≤ 8/1/2020 ≈ Kindergarten

Using U14 as an example what this is saying is...

1. They play 11v11
2. Players turn 14 after Aug 1
3. Players are younger than or equal to 8/1/2012
4. Players are most likely in 8th grade

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Heres the one age guy keeps hacking up incorrectly to make it seem like older players can play down when they can't.

Still 100% correct.

This is for next fall when SY starts.

11v11 = U18/U19 = ≤ 8/1/2007 ≈ Senior
11v11 = U17 = ≤ 8/1/2009 ≈ Junior
11v11 = U16 = ≤ 8/1/2010 ≈ Sophmore
11v11 = U15 = ≤ 8/1/2011 ≈ Freshman
11v11 = U14 = ≤ 8/1/2012 ≈ 8th grade
11v11 = U13 = ≤ 8/1/2013 ≈ 7th grade
9v9/11v11 = U12 = ≤ 8/1/2014 ≈ 6th grade
9v9 = U11 = ≤ 8/1/2015 ≈ 5th grade
9v9 = U10 = ≤ 8/1/2016 ≈ 4th grade
7v7 = U9 = ≤ 8/1/2017 ≈ 3rd grade
7v7 = U8 = ≤ 8/1/2018 ≈ 2nd grade
4v4 = U7 = ≤ 8/1/2019 ≈ 1st grade
4v4 = U6 = ≤ 8/1/2020 ≈ Kindergarten

Using U14 as an example what this is saying is...

1. They play 11v11
2. Players turn 14 after Aug 1
3. Players are younger than or equal to 8/1/2012
4. Players are most likely in 8th grade

Nobody can play down on age. Grade doesn't exist in the rules so there is no so thing as playing down on grade, any grade can play in any age group.

[Anonymous]

Still 100% correct.

This is for next fall when SY starts.

11v11 = U18/U19 = ≤ 8/1/2007 ≈ Senior
11v11 = U17 = ≤ 8/1/2009 ≈ Senior
11v11 = U16 = ≤ 8/1/2010 ≈ Junior
11v11 = U15 = ≤ 8/1/2011 ≈ Sophmore
11v11 = U14 = ≤ 8/1/2012 ≈ Freshman
11v11 = U13 = ≤ 8/1/2013 ≈ 8th grade
9v9/11v11 = U12 = ≤ 8/1/2014 ≈ 7th grade
9v9 = U11 = ≤ 8/1/2015 ≈ 6th grade
9v9 = U10 = ≤ 8/1/2016 ≈ 5th grade
7v7 = U9 = ≤ 8/1/2017 ≈ 4rd grade
7v7 = U8 = ≤ 8/1/2018 ≈ 3nd grade
4v4 = U7 = ≤ 8/1/2019 ≈ 2nd grade
4v4 = U6 = ≤ 8/1/2019 ≈ 1st grade
4v4 = U5 = ≤ 8/1/2020 ≈ Kindergarten

Using U13 as an example what this is saying is...

1. They play 11v11
2. Players turn 13 after Aug 1
3. Players are younger than or equal to 8/1/2013
4. Players are most likely in 8th grade

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll make it easy for everyone. At the younger ages be the oldest on the top team, regardless of grade in school. Reap all the benefits for 8 or 9 years then move to your grade year for recruiting in high school. Way more advantage to being the oldest from 6 to 14 than being aligned to your grade.

Debatable, try being the youngest on an older team for a couple of years. Then play on a grade down team. You will absolutely tear everyone up. Unfortunately the advantage goes away after 6 months because players tend to play like the players they practice with / play against. This is why clubs dont have multi level practices all year. Coachs know it will drag down the older players and drag up the younger ones. You can do it occasionally though as long as you mix the groups up and down randomly.

The people actively looking for ways to play down want shortcuts. But these dont work long term or at the highest levels.

Doesn't match actual real world data. Youngest most likely to quit, oldest most likely to excel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Still 100% correct.

This is for next fall when SY starts.

11v11 = U18/U19 = ≤ 8/1/2007 ≈ Senior
11v11 = U17 = ≤ 8/1/2009 ≈ Senior
11v11 = U16 = ≤ 8/1/2010 ≈ Junior
11v11 = U15 = ≤ 8/1/2011 ≈ Sophmore
11v11 = U14 = ≤ 8/1/2012 ≈ Freshman
11v11 = U13 = ≤ 8/1/2013 ≈ 8th grade
9v9/11v11 = U12 = ≤ 8/1/2014 ≈ 7th grade
9v9 = U11 = ≤ 8/1/2015 ≈ 6th grade
9v9 = U10 = ≤ 8/1/2016 ≈ 5th grade
7v7 = U9 = ≤ 8/1/2017 ≈ 4rd grade
7v7 = U8 = ≤ 8/1/2018 ≈ 3nd grade
4v4 = U7 = ≤ 8/1/2019 ≈ 2nd grade
4v4 = U6 = ≤ 8/1/2019 ≈ 1st grade
4v4 = U5 = ≤ 8/1/2020 ≈ Kindergarten

Using U13 as an example what this is saying is...

1. They play 11v11
2. Players turn 13 after Aug 1
3. Players are younger than or equal to 8/1/2013
4. Players are most likely in 8th grade

Wrong and incorrect

[Anonymous]

Heres the one age guy keeps hacking up incorrectly to make it seem like older players can play down when they can't.

Still 100% correct.

This is for next fall when SY starts.

11v11 = U18/U19 = ≤ 8/1/2007 ≈ Senior
11v11 = U17 = ≤ 8/1/2009 ≈ Junior
11v11 = U16 = ≤ 8/1/2010 ≈ Sophmore
11v11 = U15 = ≤ 8/1/2011 ≈ Freshman
11v11 = U14 = ≤ 8/1/2012 ≈ 8th grade
11v11 = U13 = ≤ 8/1/2013 ≈ 7th grade
9v9/11v11 = U12 = ≤ 8/1/2014 ≈ 6th grade
9v9 = U11 = ≤ 8/1/2015 ≈ 5th grade
9v9 = U10 = ≤ 8/1/2016 ≈ 4th grade
7v7 = U9 = ≤ 8/1/2017 ≈ 3rd grade
7v7 = U8 = ≤ 8/1/2018 ≈ 2nd grade
4v4 = U7 = ≤ 8/1/2019 ≈ 1st grade
4v4 = U6 = ≤ 8/1/2020 ≈ Kindergarten

Using U14 as an example what this is saying is...

1. They play 11v11
2. Players turn 14 after Aug 1
3. Players are younger than or equal to 8/1/2012
4. Players are most likely in 8th grade

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll make it easy for everyone. At the younger ages be the oldest on the top team, regardless of grade in school. Reap all the benefits for 8 or 9 years then move to your grade year for recruiting in high school. Way more advantage to being the oldest from 6 to 14 than being aligned to your grade.

Debatable, try being the youngest on an older team for a couple of years. Then play on a grade down team. You will absolutely tear everyone up. Unfortunately the advantage goes away after 6 months because players tend to play like the players they practice with / play against. This is why clubs dont have multi level practices all year. Coachs know it will drag down the older players and drag up the younger ones. You can do it occasionally though as long as you mix the groups up and down randomly.

The people actively looking for ways to play down want shortcuts. But these dont work long term or at the highest levels.

Doesn't match actual real world data. Youngest most likely to quit, oldest most likely to excel.

Not true cream rises to the top in any group. If this wasnt true Academies and Academy programs wouldnt exist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:100% correct

This one is for next fall when SY starts.

U18/U19; 8/1/2007 - 7/31/2009 ~ Senior
U17; 8/1/2009 - 7/31/2010 ~ Senior
U16; 8/1/2010 - 7/31/2011 ~ Junior
U15; 8/1/2011 - 7/31/2012 ~ Sophomore
U14; 8/1/2012 - 7/31/2013 ~ Freshman
U13; 8/1/2013 - 7/31/2014 ~ 8th
U12; 8/1/2014 - 7/31/2015 ~ 7th
U11; 8/1/2015 - 7/31/2016 ~ 6th
U10; 8/1/2016 - 7/31/2017~ 5th
U9; 8/1/2017 - 7/31/2018 ~ 4th
U8; 8/1/2018 - 7/31/2019 ~ 3rd
U7; 8/1/2019 - 7/31/2020 ~ 2nd
U6; 8/1/2020 - 7/31/2021 ~ 1st

Using U13 as an example what this is saying is...

1. They play 11v11
2. Players turn 13 after Aug 1
3. Players are younger than or equal to 8/1/2013
4. Players are most likely 8th grade or younger

Wrong off be several years 8th graders are definitely not born in 2014

Heres one without age guy guys hacks to try and make it look like older players can play down when they cant.

Still 100% correct.

This is for next fall when SY starts.

11v11 = U18/U19 = ≤ 8/1/2007 ≈ Senior
11v11 = U17 = ≤ 8/1/2009 ≈ Junior
11v11 = U16 = ≤ 8/1/2010 ≈ Sophmore
11v11 = U15 = ≤ 8/1/2011 ≈ Freshman
11v11 = U14 = ≤ 8/1/2012 ≈ 8th grade
11v11 = U13 = ≤ 8/1/2013 ≈ 7th grade
9v9/11v11 = U12 = ≤ 8/1/2014 ≈ 6th grade
9v9 = U11 = ≤ 8/1/2015 ≈ 5th grade
9v9 = U10 = ≤ 8/1/2016 ≈ 4th grade
7v7 = U9 = ≤ 8/1/2017 ≈ 3rd grade
7v7 = U8 = ≤ 8/1/2018 ≈ 2nd grade
4v4 = U7 = ≤ 8/1/2019 ≈ 1st grade
4v4 = U6 = ≤ 8/1/2020 ≈ Kindergarten

Using U14 as an example what this is saying is...

1. They play 11v11
2. Players turn 14 after Aug 1
3. Players are younger than or equal to 8/1/2012
4. Players are most likely in 8th grade

Doesn't make sense. Can't play down except MLSN. And any grade can play in any age group if the DOB works. That's as much as within the rules as playing up, even if as ECNL guy stated, no exceptions to play up.

Are you trying to say that players cant play up? Have you even read the rules? Yes anyone is eligible to play up.

Which club since the rule change is giving the kids a choice whether to play down or play up? Name the club so we can find this new unicorn club.

You want to be helpful, tell us where in the DMV a club let's players choose to play up?

Without this your pissing in the wind.

Everywhere on social media except DCUM parents are saying that clubs are letting Aug birthday players choose the level they want their kid to play. Almost all choose to play on their correct grade in school team.

Maybe its just one troll trying to convince players not to play up because he wants 36 month older players to play down in showcases.

Not from DC. But in Northern California (ECNL Girls) I’ve only heard of 1 club that is allowing players to stay up. Most of the others have told parents they have to wait until after tryouts to see what the talent pool looks like . That’s the info I’ve been told by parents from 6 different ECNL clubs.

Also no clubs are requiring players to go or stay up this will be completely optional based on individual players skill set and standing within the club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another Facebook thread where all the parents are reporting that their kid is playing up.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2186399335005929/posts/4125521797760330/

It looks 50/50 to me? But I see the world differently without an agenda….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:100% correct

This one is for next fall when SY starts.

U18/U19; 8/1/2007 - 7/31/2009 ~ Senior
U17; 8/1/2009 - 7/31/2010 ~ Senior
U16; 8/1/2010 - 7/31/2011 ~ Junior
U15; 8/1/2011 - 7/31/2012 ~ Sophomore
U14; 8/1/2012 - 7/31/2013 ~ Freshman
U13; 8/1/2013 - 7/31/2014 ~ 8th
U12; 8/1/2014 - 7/31/2015 ~ 7th
U11; 8/1/2015 - 7/31/2016 ~ 6th
U10; 8/1/2016 - 7/31/2017~ 5th
U9; 8/1/2017 - 7/31/2018 ~ 4th
U8; 8/1/2018 - 7/31/2019 ~ 3rd
U7; 8/1/2019 - 7/31/2020 ~ 2nd
U6; 8/1/2020 - 7/31/2021 ~ 1st

Using U13 as an example what this is saying is...

1. They play 11v11
2. Players turn 13 after Aug 1
3. Players are younger than or equal to 8/1/2013
4. Players are most likely 8th grade or younger

Wrong off be several years 8th graders are definitely not born in 2014

Heres one without age guy guys hacks to try and make it look like older players can play down when they cant.

Still 100% correct.

This is for next fall when SY starts.

11v11 = U18/U19 = ≤ 8/1/2007 ≈ Senior
11v11 = U17 = ≤ 8/1/2009 ≈ Junior
11v11 = U16 = ≤ 8/1/2010 ≈ Sophmore
11v11 = U15 = ≤ 8/1/2011 ≈ Freshman
11v11 = U14 = ≤ 8/1/2012 ≈ 8th grade
11v11 = U13 = ≤ 8/1/2013 ≈ 7th grade
9v9/11v11 = U12 = ≤ 8/1/2014 ≈ 6th grade
9v9 = U11 = ≤ 8/1/2015 ≈ 5th grade
9v9 = U10 = ≤ 8/1/2016 ≈ 4th grade
7v7 = U9 = ≤ 8/1/2017 ≈ 3rd grade
7v7 = U8 = ≤ 8/1/2018 ≈ 2nd grade
4v4 = U7 = ≤ 8/1/2019 ≈ 1st grade
4v4 = U6 = ≤ 8/1/2020 ≈ Kindergarten

Using U14 as an example what this is saying is...

1. They play 11v11
2. Players turn 14 after Aug 1
3. Players are younger than or equal to 8/1/2012
4. Players are most likely in 8th grade

Doesn't make sense. Can't play down except MLSN. And any grade can play in any age group if the DOB works. That's as much as within the rules as playing up, even if as ECNL guy stated, no exceptions to play up.

Are you trying to say that players cant play up? Have you even read the rules? Yes anyone is eligible to play up.

Which club since the rule change is giving the kids a choice whether to play down or play up? Name the club so we can find this new unicorn club.

You want to be helpful, tell us where in the DMV a club let's players choose to play up?

Without this your pissing in the wind.

Everywhere on social media except DCUM parents are saying that clubs are letting Aug birthday players choose the level they want their kid to play. Almost all choose to play on their correct grade in school team.

Maybe its just one troll trying to convince players not to play up because he wants 36 month older players to play down in showcases.

Not from DC. But in Northern California (ECNL Girls) I’ve only heard of 1 club that is allowing players to stay up. Most of the others have told parents they have to wait until after tryouts to see what the talent pool looks like . That’s the info I’ve been told by parents from 6 different ECNL clubs.

Also no clubs are requiring players to go or stay up this will be completely optional based on individual players skill set and standing within the club.

It will be interesting to see where this lands.

To me it sounds like clubs are playing it safe and regurgitating US Soccer talking points. However as everyone knows that has been around youth soccer. What clubs say and what clubs do aren't always in alignment.

I keep going back to is that its just easier for clubs to play Aug birthdays on their correct grade in school team. Then you can have them play on grade down teams at tournamants etc for wins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another Facebook thread where all the parents are reporting that their kid is playing up.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2186399335005929/posts/4125521797760330/

It looks 50/50 to me? But I see the world differently without an agenda….

50/50 this fall
80/20 next season
90/10 the season after

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:100% correct

This one is for next fall when SY starts.

U18/U19; 8/1/2007 - 7/31/2009 ~ Senior
U17; 8/1/2009 - 7/31/2010 ~ Senior
U16; 8/1/2010 - 7/31/2011 ~ Junior
U15; 8/1/2011 - 7/31/2012 ~ Sophomore
U14; 8/1/2012 - 7/31/2013 ~ Freshman
U13; 8/1/2013 - 7/31/2014 ~ 8th
U12; 8/1/2014 - 7/31/2015 ~ 7th
U11; 8/1/2015 - 7/31/2016 ~ 6th
U10; 8/1/2016 - 7/31/2017~ 5th
U9; 8/1/2017 - 7/31/2018 ~ 4th
U8; 8/1/2018 - 7/31/2019 ~ 3rd
U7; 8/1/2019 - 7/31/2020 ~ 2nd
U6; 8/1/2020 - 7/31/2021 ~ 1st

Using U13 as an example what this is saying is...

1. They play 11v11
2. Players turn 13 after Aug 1
3. Players are younger than or equal to 8/1/2013
4. Players are most likely 8th grade or younger

Wrong off be several years 8th graders are definitely not born in 2014

Heres one without age guy guys hacks to try and make it look like older players can play down when they cant.

Still 100% correct.

This is for next fall when SY starts.

11v11 = U18/U19 = ≤ 8/1/2007 ≈ Senior
11v11 = U17 = ≤ 8/1/2009 ≈ Junior
11v11 = U16 = ≤ 8/1/2010 ≈ Sophmore
11v11 = U15 = ≤ 8/1/2011 ≈ Freshman
11v11 = U14 = ≤ 8/1/2012 ≈ 8th grade
11v11 = U13 = ≤ 8/1/2013 ≈ 7th grade
9v9/11v11 = U12 = ≤ 8/1/2014 ≈ 6th grade
9v9 = U11 = ≤ 8/1/2015 ≈ 5th grade
9v9 = U10 = ≤ 8/1/2016 ≈ 4th grade
7v7 = U9 = ≤ 8/1/2017 ≈ 3rd grade
7v7 = U8 = ≤ 8/1/2018 ≈ 2nd grade
4v4 = U7 = ≤ 8/1/2019 ≈ 1st grade
4v4 = U6 = ≤ 8/1/2020 ≈ Kindergarten

Using U14 as an example what this is saying is...

1. They play 11v11
2. Players turn 14 after Aug 1
3. Players are younger than or equal to 8/1/2012
4. Players are most likely in 8th grade

Doesn't make sense. Can't play down except MLSN. And any grade can play in any age group if the DOB works. That's as much as within the rules as playing up, even if as ECNL guy stated, no exceptions to play up.

Are you trying to say that players cant play up? Have you even read the rules? Yes anyone is eligible to play up.

Which club since the rule change is giving the kids a choice whether to play down or play up? Name the club so we can find this new unicorn club.

You want to be helpful, tell us where in the DMV a club let's players choose to play up?

Without this your pissing in the wind.

Everywhere on social media except DCUM parents are saying that clubs are letting Aug birthday players choose the level they want their kid to play. Almost all choose to play on their correct grade in school team.

Maybe its just one troll trying to convince players not to play up because he wants 36 month older players to play down in showcases.

Not from DC. But in Northern California (ECNL Girls) I’ve only heard of 1 club that is allowing players to stay up. Most of the others have told parents they have to wait until after tryouts to see what the talent pool looks like . That’s the info I’ve been told by parents from 6 different ECNL clubs.

Also no clubs are requiring players to go or stay up this will be completely optional based on individual players skill set and standing within the club.

It will be interesting to see where this lands.

To me it sounds like clubs are playing it safe and regurgitating US Soccer talking points. However as everyone knows that has been around youth soccer. What clubs say and what clubs do aren't always in alignment.

I keep going back to is that its just easier for clubs to play Aug birthdays on their correct grade in school team. Then you can have them play on grade down teams at tournamants etc for wins.

Some might allow it if the player is good enough. ECNL NorCal clubs fight so much against their competitors they usually tell people what they want to hear.

MVLA is the only club that does not allow girls to play up even if national team level players as they want to have the best teams per age group possible which is why they are always ranked as a top 5 girls club nationally and people drive from hours away (with ECNL clubs 10 min from their house) to play for them if they can make it.

The others will take and promise whatever and parents figure out usually to late that yes their kid can play up or yes they made the roster but playing time wasn’t what they thought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:100% correct

This one is for next fall when SY starts.

U18/U19; 8/1/2007 - 7/31/2009 ~ Senior
U17; 8/1/2009 - 7/31/2010 ~ Senior
U16; 8/1/2010 - 7/31/2011 ~ Junior
U15; 8/1/2011 - 7/31/2012 ~ Sophomore
U14; 8/1/2012 - 7/31/2013 ~ Freshman
U13; 8/1/2013 - 7/31/2014 ~ 8th
U12; 8/1/2014 - 7/31/2015 ~ 7th
U11; 8/1/2015 - 7/31/2016 ~ 6th
U10; 8/1/2016 - 7/31/2017~ 5th
U9; 8/1/2017 - 7/31/2018 ~ 4th
U8; 8/1/2018 - 7/31/2019 ~ 3rd
U7; 8/1/2019 - 7/31/2020 ~ 2nd
U6; 8/1/2020 - 7/31/2021 ~ 1st

Using U13 as an example what this is saying is...

1. They play 11v11
2. Players turn 13 after Aug 1
3. Players are younger than or equal to 8/1/2013
4. Players are most likely 8th grade or younger

Wrong off be several years 8th graders are definitely not born in 2014

Heres one without age guy guys hacks to try and make it look like older players can play down when they cant.

Still 100% correct.

This is for next fall when SY starts.

11v11 = U18/U19 = ≤ 8/1/2007 ≈ Senior
11v11 = U17 = ≤ 8/1/2009 ≈ Junior
11v11 = U16 = ≤ 8/1/2010 ≈ Sophmore
11v11 = U15 = ≤ 8/1/2011 ≈ Freshman
11v11 = U14 = ≤ 8/1/2012 ≈ 8th grade
11v11 = U13 = ≤ 8/1/2013 ≈ 7th grade
9v9/11v11 = U12 = ≤ 8/1/2014 ≈ 6th grade
9v9 = U11 = ≤ 8/1/2015 ≈ 5th grade
9v9 = U10 = ≤ 8/1/2016 ≈ 4th grade
7v7 = U9 = ≤ 8/1/2017 ≈ 3rd grade
7v7 = U8 = ≤ 8/1/2018 ≈ 2nd grade
4v4 = U7 = ≤ 8/1/2019 ≈ 1st grade
4v4 = U6 = ≤ 8/1/2020 ≈ Kindergarten

Using U14 as an example what this is saying is...

1. They play 11v11
2. Players turn 14 after Aug 1
3. Players are younger than or equal to 8/1/2012
4. Players are most likely in 8th grade

Doesn't make sense. Can't play down except MLSN. And any grade can play in any age group if the DOB works. That's as much as within the rules as playing up, even if as ECNL guy stated, no exceptions to play up.

Are you trying to say that players cant play up? Have you even read the rules? Yes anyone is eligible to play up.

Which club since the rule change is giving the kids a choice whether to play down or play up? Name the club so we can find this new unicorn club.

You want to be helpful, tell us where in the DMV a club let's players choose to play up?

Without this your pissing in the wind.

Everywhere on social media except DCUM parents are saying that clubs are letting Aug birthday players choose the level they want their kid to play. Almost all choose to play on their correct grade in school team.

Maybe its just one troll trying to convince players not to play up because he wants 36 month older players to play down in showcases.

Not from DC. But in Northern California (ECNL Girls) I’ve only heard of 1 club that is allowing players to stay up. Most of the others have told parents they have to wait until after tryouts to see what the talent pool looks like . That’s the info I’ve been told by parents from 6 different ECNL clubs.

Also no clubs are requiring players to go or stay up this will be completely optional based on individual players skill set and standing within the club.

It will be interesting to see where this lands.

To me it sounds like clubs are playing it safe and regurgitating US Soccer talking points. However as everyone knows that has been around youth soccer. What clubs say and what clubs do aren't always in alignment.

I keep going back to is that its just easier for clubs to play Aug birthdays on their correct grade in school team. Then you can have them play on grade down teams at tournamants etc for wins.

Some might allow it if the player is good enough. ECNL NorCal clubs fight so much against their competitors they usually tell people what they want to hear.

MVLA is the only club that does not allow girls to play up even if national team level players as they want to have the best teams per age group possible which is why they are always ranked as a top 5 girls club nationally and people drive from hours away (with ECNL clubs 10 min from their house) to play for them if they can make it.

The others will take and promise whatever and parents figure out usually to late that yes their kid can play up or yes they made the roster but playing time wasn’t what they thought.

Is that rule under BY or under SY because under school year Aug birthdays will be hard to force to play on grade down teams. I doubt t they will be able to maintain that policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll make it easy for everyone. At the younger ages be the oldest on the top team, regardless of grade in school. Reap all the benefits for 8 or 9 years then move to your grade year for recruiting in high school. Way more advantage to being the oldest from 6 to 14 than being aligned to your grade.

Debatable, try being the youngest on an older team for a couple of years. Then play on a grade down team. You will absolutely tear everyone up. Unfortunately the advantage goes away after 6 months because players tend to play like the players they practice with / play against. This is why clubs dont have multi level practices all year. Coachs know it will drag down the older players and drag up the younger ones. You can do it occasionally though as long as you mix the groups up and down randomly.

The people actively looking for ways to play down want shortcuts. But these dont work long term or at the highest levels.

Oldest on an A team in your age group beats B team playing up everytime. Not only is playing on age not playing down ever, it is the default and only way in NOVA and MD.