Anonymous
04/13/2026 15:37
Subject: Late calendar year birthdays - deciding which age group to play in
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Is it better for U13/U14/U15 boys with 4th quarter birthdays (Oct-Dec) that are doing well right now to stay in their current age group or move down/repeat the year? These boys already have a relative age disadvantage that becomes more prominent with the new Aug 1 year. However, moving down may make them more dominant out of the gate, which might not be as beneficial for long-term development.
What is the consensus on this?
I have a Q4 2014 so I am choosing to repeat 9v9 for another year. I might feel differently if I were already full-sided but we are definitely am taking advantage of this opportunity. We do have the opportunity to play MLS Next and the local coaches whisper that we are making the right decision long-term. Most parents in this area simply are not able to comprehend long-term development so these types of discussions do not come up.
Would you plan to later bioband in mlsnext and stay in the 2015 age group?
As another posted said, we see staying 9v9 is a HUGE advantage and he will have no issues dropping into 2014 MLS Next at U14 level.
I hope it works out for you. As said, very kid and situation specific. Our club plays a mix of 9v9 and 11v11 at u12 so not much benefit to repeat the year for some 9v9 games with a large roster.
Anonymous
04/13/2026 15:08
Subject: Late calendar year birthdays - deciding which age group to play in
I have a young kid, U9 this year, Q4 and an older kid U16, Q4.
The younger one hasn't started travel yet and it's a no brainer that he goes with the new age group.
My older son wants to play with kids he already knows and has no aspirations to play beyond HS so he'll ideally proceed to U17.
The younger one hasn't started travel yet and it's a no brainer that he goes with the new age group.
My older son wants to play with kids he already knows and has no aspirations to play beyond HS so he'll ideally proceed to U17.
Anonymous
04/13/2026 15:03
Subject: Late calendar year birthdays - deciding which age group to play in
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Is it better for U13/U14/U15 boys with 4th quarter birthdays (Oct-Dec) that are doing well right now to stay in their current age group or move down/repeat the year? These boys already have a relative age disadvantage that becomes more prominent with the new Aug 1 year. However, moving down may make them more dominant out of the gate, which might not be as beneficial for long-term development.
What is the consensus on this?
I have a Q4 2014 so I am choosing to repeat 9v9 for another year. I might feel differently if I were already full-sided but we are definitely am taking advantage of this opportunity. We do have the opportunity to play MLS Next and the local coaches whisper that we are making the right decision long-term. Most parents in this area simply are not able to comprehend long-term development so these types of discussions do not come up.
Would you plan to later bioband in mlsnext and stay in the 2015 age group?
As another posted said, we see staying 9v9 is a HUGE advantage and he will have no issues dropping into 2014 MLS Next at U14 level.
Anonymous
04/13/2026 12:15
Subject: Late calendar year birthdays - deciding which age group to play in
I think the best example is what happened with the Arlington U13s. The 2013 team is first in the MA ECNL and something like half of those kids are repeating U13 next to play with their appropriate age group.
Unless you have a really physically developed Q4 2014 kid (less height-wise and more strength-wise from early puberty), it would be beneficial for your kid to play on age, ESPECIALLY if you can get extra touches on the ball by staying at 9v9 for another year.
Unless you have a really physically developed Q4 2014 kid (less height-wise and more strength-wise from early puberty), it would be beneficial for your kid to play on age, ESPECIALLY if you can get extra touches on the ball by staying at 9v9 for another year.
Anonymous
04/13/2026 12:05
Subject: Late calendar year birthdays - deciding which age group to play in
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Is it better for U13/U14/U15 boys with 4th quarter birthdays (Oct-Dec) that are doing well right now to stay in their current age group or move down/repeat the year? These boys already have a relative age disadvantage that becomes more prominent with the new Aug 1 year. However, moving down may make them more dominant out of the gate, which might not be as beneficial for long-term development.
What is the consensus on this?
There is no consensus. It doesn't apply to my children, but we know kids who want to stay with their current team and kids who want to repeat the year. It seems kids are deciding based on who the coaches are, the relative strength of the teams, and whether they want to stay on a team with friends or try out a new team.
I do think some parents are pushing their kids to try to stay on their current team just so they can say their kid is playing up. If their kid does well, then it's even more bragging rights for them. If the kid doesn't do well, it's "well look how much smaller and younger they are than everyone else" -- a built in excuse. These are the parents whose ego matters more than what is best for the kid.
Or parents know that MLSN HG is staying BY so want to set their kid up to be successful in the future… which may be repeating the year or moving up and staying with their BY group.
Anonymous
04/13/2026 11:58
Subject: Late calendar year birthdays - deciding which age group to play in
Anonymous wrote:Is it better for U13/U14/U15 boys with 4th quarter birthdays (Oct-Dec) that are doing well right now to stay in their current age group or move down/repeat the year? These boys already have a relative age disadvantage that becomes more prominent with the new Aug 1 year. However, moving down may make them more dominant out of the gate, which might not be as beneficial for long-term development.
What is the consensus on this?
There is no consensus. It doesn't apply to my children, but we know kids who want to stay with their current team and kids who want to repeat the year. It seems kids are deciding based on who the coaches are, the relative strength of the teams, and whether they want to stay on a team with friends or try out a new team.
I do think some parents are pushing their kids to try to stay on their current team just so they can say their kid is playing up. If their kid does well, then it's even more bragging rights for them. If the kid doesn't do well, it's "well look how much smaller and younger they are than everyone else" -- a built in excuse. These are the parents whose ego matters more than what is best for the kid.
Anonymous
04/13/2026 11:54
Subject: Late calendar year birthdays - deciding which age group to play in
We are doing the same as a Q4 2014. We see it as a huge advantage.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Is it better for U13/U14/U15 boys with 4th quarter birthdays (Oct-Dec) that are doing well right now to stay in their current age group or move down/repeat the year? These boys already have a relative age disadvantage that becomes more prominent with the new Aug 1 year. However, moving down may make them more dominant out of the gate, which might not be as beneficial for long-term development.
What is the consensus on this?
I have a Q4 2014 so I am choosing to repeat 9v9 for another year. I might feel differently if I were already full-sided but we are definitely am taking advantage of this opportunity. We do have the opportunity to play MLS Next and the local coaches whisper that we are making the right decision long-term. Most parents in this area simply are not able to comprehend long-term development so these types of discussions do not come up.
Anonymous
04/13/2026 11:53
Subject: Late calendar year birthdays - deciding which age group to play in
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Is it better for U13/U14/U15 boys with 4th quarter birthdays (Oct-Dec) that are doing well right now to stay in their current age group or move down/repeat the year? These boys already have a relative age disadvantage that becomes more prominent with the new Aug 1 year. However, moving down may make them more dominant out of the gate, which might not be as beneficial for long-term development.
What is the consensus on this?
I have a Q4 2014 so I am choosing to repeat 9v9 for another year. I might feel differently if I were already full-sided but we are definitely am taking advantage of this opportunity. We do have the opportunity to play MLS Next and the local coaches whisper that we are making the right decision long-term. Most parents in this area simply are not able to comprehend long-term development so these types of discussions do not come up.
Lots of "I" and "we" in your post... are you playing or is your kid playing?
Anonymous
04/13/2026 10:28
Subject: Late calendar year birthdays - deciding which age group to play in
Anonymous wrote:Is it better for U13/U14/U15 boys with 4th quarter birthdays (Oct-Dec) that are doing well right now to stay in their current age group or move down/repeat the year? These boys already have a relative age disadvantage that becomes more prominent with the new Aug 1 year. However, moving down may make them more dominant out of the gate, which might not be as beneficial for long-term development.
What is the consensus on this?
All these decisions are 100% personal to the individual kid
Anonymous
04/13/2026 09:50
Subject: Late calendar year birthdays - deciding which age group to play in
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Is it better for U13/U14/U15 boys with 4th quarter birthdays (Oct-Dec) that are doing well right now to stay in their current age group or move down/repeat the year? These boys already have a relative age disadvantage that becomes more prominent with the new Aug 1 year. However, moving down may make them more dominant out of the gate, which might not be as beneficial for long-term development.
What is the consensus on this?
I have a Q4 2014 so I am choosing to repeat 9v9 for another year. I might feel differently if I were already full-sided but we are definitely am taking advantage of this opportunity. We do have the opportunity to play MLS Next and the local coaches whisper that we are making the right decision long-term. Most parents in this area simply are not able to comprehend long-term development so these types of discussions do not come up.
Would you plan to later bioband in mlsnext and stay in the 2015 age group?
Anonymous
04/13/2026 09:44
Subject: Late calendar year birthdays - deciding which age group to play in
Anonymous wrote:Is it better for U13/U14/U15 boys with 4th quarter birthdays (Oct-Dec) that are doing well right now to stay in their current age group or move down/repeat the year? These boys already have a relative age disadvantage that becomes more prominent with the new Aug 1 year. However, moving down may make them more dominant out of the gate, which might not be as beneficial for long-term development.
What is the consensus on this?
I have a Q4 2014 so I am choosing to repeat 9v9 for another year. I might feel differently if I were already full-sided but we are definitely am taking advantage of this opportunity. We do have the opportunity to play MLS Next and the local coaches whisper that we are making the right decision long-term. Most parents in this area simply are not able to comprehend long-term development so these types of discussions do not come up.
Anonymous
04/13/2026 09:29
Subject: Late calendar year birthdays - deciding which age group to play in
sorry, I am not a regular visitor here. please link me to the relevant threads.
Anonymous
04/13/2026 08:56
Subject: Late calendar year birthdays - deciding which age group to play in
Anonymous wrote:It is almost like we have not discussed this ad nauseum on this board.
Some joker trying to rehash all the nonsense under a different heading
Anonymous
04/13/2026 08:54
Subject: Late calendar year birthdays - deciding which age group to play in
It is almost like we have not discussed this ad nauseum on this board.
Anonymous
04/13/2026 08:53
Subject: Late calendar year birthdays - deciding which age group to play in
Is it better for U13/U14/U15 boys with 4th quarter birthdays (Oct-Dec) that are doing well right now to stay in their current age group or move down/repeat the year? These boys already have a relative age disadvantage that becomes more prominent with the new Aug 1 year. However, moving down may make them more dominant out of the gate, which might not be as beneficial for long-term development.
What is the consensus on this?
What is the consensus on this?