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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Look we need to say it. August guy is right on one level: Playing on grade makes sense for recruiting. Where he's wrong is he thinks it's simpler just to force Aug-Sept kids to play by grade. Remember, it's a very small % of players that go on to play in college and we shouldn't have a policy based solely on that population. Besides, RAE shows us it's actually helps development to be the oldest and that to force kids to be the youngest actually would mean more of those kids would be among the first to quit, although a few would become really good players and be the exceptions.

In terms of top teams, top misaligned players -- and there'd be more of them if they stay misaligned at first, again thanks to RAE -- would in the end be among those who be good enough play up anyway once they get to HS for recruiting. I think that's why 9 out of 10 clubs we've found plans for have language that sets that up: You play up if you are good enough. Full stop.

Speaking of which, I think the best way to stop the focus on this part of the discussion is to stop engaging on this aspect of the topic period, so unless something new from a top soccer person/org comes out that's more definitive, I'm done adding anything here (so about third of the arguing by my reckoning will end -- my apologies for adding to the dumpster fire). Hopefully, that'll help lead to more productive sharing about what's actually happening at clubs.

In the meantime, good luck to all, especially if you have a kid in this world right now, that while sometimes is amazing to be apart of is all too often a toxic stew that resembles many an anonymous thread.[/quote]

Spot on.

Let’s get back on track. I’ve got an Aug kid, top team starter at top club in a top league. She is old for her grade, so it wouldn’t be a “playing down a grade” situation, so that’s a good thing. The club hasn’t said anything official but the coach said pretty much what the other clubs have said on their website - kids will play in their age range and others will be evaluated to play up based on skill, etc., which is the safe and I think best answer and way to handle it. My kid, from the coach, is one of these kids that will be considered to play up. There are pros and cons to each but at her age (7th going into 8th) she would prefer to stay with the current team and move up to U15, but also understands and would be fine with repeating U14 if that’s what has to happen. I would prefer to just repeat U14 to get on track with kids in her grade for the next few years.

I’m sure there are a lot of other families in the same situation. We are in a large metro area with many clubs around so we anticipate a ton of movement inside the club and kids coming in from outside clubs. It’s going to be wild come tryouts but I trust it will all work itself out. I’ve just told my kid to be open minded and flexible because once the change happens, and kids get settled, it will be business as usual and like nothing really happened. [/quote]

I think you're about to face a bunch of choices. First off, if you play up, you may only have a team for half of a season, since the rest of the team would be in 9th grade and presumably be playing HS (unless it's one of those teams that doesn't). But that could be solved if the club allows you to play on age during the HS season, although they may ruffle some feathers on the current team or they may welcome you back (or maybe a bit of both). So, if you want more stability/less drama, staying with the current team/age might be more preferable for you.

And I think you're right, once the drama of who is where is over, we'll be back to soccer.[/quote]

That’s a good point about the high school season coming into play. That certainly changes the equation and just adds more things to consider. Fun times! [/quote]

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