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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My son has played up his entire soccer life and we are pre-ECNL. My husband thinks he can play up for the rest of his youth career while I think he should at some point, play his age group so he stands out more (essentially be a superstar) and is in a better position to compete for an academy spot. FWIW, he is very good and plays up because of overall skill and athleticism and not bc of size (he is average for his age with the potential to be tall like one parent).  He is a top player (not the best nor a superstar) for his current team while playing up and in the upper divisions of the league they play in. I want to keep him playing up as long as we can bc I want him to continue to be challenged and to improve and I think he can be competitive playing up. I do wonder though if there are drawbacks to this approach. Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks![/quote]

Next year is probably the year to move him back down.  12 (when he is 11) is when some kids start hitting puberty. If he goes to an ECNL club, the size might be overwhelming for him. Some are close to six feet tall. Even if he is a gifted athlete - it's hard to excel when there is that much size disparity. I'd not focus on age as much as the best team fit. Bethesda and others have teams in his age group that will be a challenge for him to make the top team even if he's very good. [/quote]

U13 is the first year I really noticed a few kids taller than everyone else, and they tend to be awkward and clumsy at that point until they really grow into their new bodies. 
I wouldn't worry about real size issues until U14 or so. [/quote]

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