Anonymous
Post 09/04/2025 13:46     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

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:I just don't understand why a parent would fight for their kid to play down. When i was young if you werem't the same ability as kids your age you didnt play.

The crazy parents were the ones fighting for their kid to play up against older players on an older team. Sometimes these parents were justified. Sometimes they thought their kid was better than they were. But it didn't matter because the older kids would sort that out on the field with the younger player.

The push to playi down started 20 years ago but became more mainstream 10 years ago. You see it all the time at private schools.16 year old freshman are becoming the norm for private schools that recruit.

Youth Soccer has always been grouped based on a 12 month calendar. The cheaters hate it and want to change soccer into another GY sport. This will never happen because clubs control competition and college recruitment pathways. Clubs make much more money not implementing GY not allowing players to play down.

Adding on...

This is why Christian Lavars (the ECNL grand puba) said on the first podcast where they brought up switching from BY to SY. That he didnt agree with players playing down. He said this to calm all the ECNL clubs that know GY would quickly translate into less revenue if implemented.
FYI, the discussion was in reference to playing down on age when trapped and had nothing to do with school grades. He said this because it created temporary disruptions for the younger team; like too many players for half a season. They also were/are generally against playing up in age except in very rare cases.

So the change from BY to SY was to accommodate more players playing with their grade in school...

Got it

Exactly! You cant have it both ways.

ECNL is going to implement a rule not allowing Aug birthdays to play down with players a grade below then in school.


The player should not play down in the younger grade players' team. It is a hidden bully with a subtle middle finger.


It's not. Sorry, but comments like this are an over-reaction.

No they're absolutely appropriate.

You're the one that thinks playing down is acceptable when its not.


It's totally acceptable. It's what happens now in BY and will happen in SY. This view of "playing down" misunderstands the issue.

Hahaha you dont get it + have no clue.

No parent wants a player playing down on their kids team. MLSN only gets away with biobanding because they tell younger parents that a biobanded player will get huge when puberty hits and start playing with their age again.

Just stop advocating for playing down you're embarrassing yourself.


Actually this just advocates for age groups.



Aug.1-Jul 31 will be a good system. Adding unnecessary rules about grades is a bad idea. Giving people flexibility to play up if needed is good. Enjoy the soccer. It's a privilege to have a kid play at whatever level they can ultimately achieve.

Actually allowing Aug birthdays to play down on a team with players that are a grade younger is very bad.


What would be worse is forcing Aug birthdays to play with older kids. Do we force Jan kids to play in the older age group now? No, we don't. But those Jan kids currently play against kids in younger grades.


Yeesh get a life already. It is a 12 month age cutoff. Every sport does it. Your kid must be a real creampuff.
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2025 13:43     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

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:I just don't understand why a parent would fight for their kid to play down. When i was young if you werem't the same ability as kids your age you didnt play.

The crazy parents were the ones fighting for their kid to play up against older players on an older team. Sometimes these parents were justified. Sometimes they thought their kid was better than they were. But it didn't matter because the older kids would sort that out on the field with the younger player.

The push to playi down started 20 years ago but became more mainstream 10 years ago. You see it all the time at private schools.16 year old freshman are becoming the norm for private schools that recruit.

Youth Soccer has always been grouped based on a 12 month calendar. The cheaters hate it and want to change soccer into another GY sport. This will never happen because clubs control competition and college recruitment pathways. Clubs make much more money not implementing GY not allowing players to play down.

Adding on...

This is why Christian Lavars (the ECNL grand puba) said on the first podcast where they brought up switching from BY to SY. That he didnt agree with players playing down. He said this to calm all the ECNL clubs that know GY would quickly translate into less revenue if implemented.
FYI, the discussion was in reference to playing down on age when trapped and had nothing to do with school grades. He said this because it created temporary disruptions for the younger team; like too many players for half a season. They also were/are generally against playing up in age except in very rare cases.

So the change from BY to SY was to accommodate more players playing with their grade in school...

Got it

Exactly! You cant have it both ways.

ECNL is going to implement a rule not allowing Aug birthdays to play down with players a grade below then in school.


The player should not play down in the younger grade players' team. It is a hidden bully with a subtle middle finger.

Normal people understand that playing down is crap.

Crazy people (probably a liberal woman who never played sports) wants to make everything inclusive and fair so even the oddballs that cant tie their shoelaces have a spot on the team.


How do you or anyone define the terms playing down? If kids are the same grade? Because any window of time the older players are technically playing down as well? Is a January kid in BY playing down?

No soccer league is going Grad Year but for people to cry about it so much what sad losers.

A Jan kid in BY is playing with their grade.

A July to Dec kid in BY is playing up a grade.

You dont even understand what you're arguing about. Nobody in BY plays down.


Actually, in BY, Jan-Jul are typically in a higher grade vs. Aug-Dec. so, they are playing against kids in a younger grade now. Much more than they would under SY.


This is what i never understood about everyone complaining about the August kid in an 8-1 cutoff. it seems it is perfectly fine if the August kid is in the same grade as the Jan-July kids but it is not ok if the Aug kid is in the same grade as the Sept-Dec kid...that is the argument that has dominated most of the pages for the last year....but nobody has ever had an issue with the Jan-Mar kids playing against the Oct-Dec kids for the last 7 years and they were in seperate grades. the August kid is the one everyone complains about and how it is unfair (regardles of grade) but it was never an issue to those same people that had grade differences in BY - especially the Jan-March parents. The biggest complainers at this point are the Jan-July parents that no become the Aug-Dec parents from the past 7 years.

Its the differnce between playing up in BY or Aug birthdays potentially playing down in SY.

Playing up is never an issue. Playing down is always an issue.


And playing down is by age, not grade. That's just how youth soccer works.
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2025 13:42     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

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:I just don't understand why a parent would fight for their kid to play down. When i was young if you werem't the same ability as kids your age you didnt play.

The crazy parents were the ones fighting for their kid to play up against older players on an older team. Sometimes these parents were justified. Sometimes they thought their kid was better than they were. But it didn't matter because the older kids would sort that out on the field with the younger player.

The push to playi down started 20 years ago but became more mainstream 10 years ago. You see it all the time at private schools.16 year old freshman are becoming the norm for private schools that recruit.

Youth Soccer has always been grouped based on a 12 month calendar. The cheaters hate it and want to change soccer into another GY sport. This will never happen because clubs control competition and college recruitment pathways. Clubs make much more money not implementing GY not allowing players to play down.

Adding on...

This is why Christian Lavars (the ECNL grand puba) said on the first podcast where they brought up switching from BY to SY. That he didnt agree with players playing down. He said this to calm all the ECNL clubs that know GY would quickly translate into less revenue if implemented.
FYI, the discussion was in reference to playing down on age when trapped and had nothing to do with school grades. He said this because it created temporary disruptions for the younger team; like too many players for half a season. They also were/are generally against playing up in age except in very rare cases.

So the change from BY to SY was to accommodate more players playing with their grade in school...

Got it

Exactly! You cant have it both ways.

ECNL is going to implement a rule not allowing Aug birthdays to play down with players a grade below then in school.


The player should not play down in the younger grade players' team. It is a hidden bully with a subtle middle finger.


It's not. Sorry, but comments like this are an over-reaction.

No they're absolutely appropriate.

You're the one that thinks playing down is acceptable when its not.


It's totally acceptable. It's what happens now in BY and will happen in SY. This view of "playing down" misunderstands the issue.

Hahaha you dont get it + have no clue.

No parent wants a player playing down on their kids team. MLSN only gets away with biobanding because they tell younger parents that a biobanded player will get huge when puberty hits and start playing with their age again.

Just stop advocating for playing down you're embarrassing yourself.


Actually this just advocates for age groups.



Aug.1-Jul 31 will be a good system. Adding unnecessary rules about grades is a bad idea. Giving people flexibility to play up if needed is good. Enjoy the soccer. It's a privilege to have a kid play at whatever level they can ultimately achieve.

Actually allowing Aug birthdays to play down on a team with players that are a grade younger is very bad.


What would be worse is forcing Aug birthdays to play with older kids. Do we force Jan kids to play in the older age group now? No, we don't. But those Jan kids currently play against kids in younger grades.
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2025 13:40     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I just don't understand why a parent would fight for their kid to play down. When i was young if you werem't the same ability as kids your age you didnt play.

The crazy parents were the ones fighting for their kid to play up against older players on an older team. Sometimes these parents were justified. Sometimes they thought their kid was better than they were. But it didn't matter because the older kids would sort that out on the field with the younger player.

The push to playi down started 20 years ago but became more mainstream 10 years ago. You see it all the time at private schools.16 year old freshman are becoming the norm for private schools that recruit.

Youth Soccer has always been grouped based on a 12 month calendar. The cheaters hate it and want to change soccer into another GY sport. This will never happen because clubs control competition and college recruitment pathways. Clubs make much more money not implementing GY not allowing players to play down.

Adding on...

This is why Christian Lavars (the ECNL grand puba) said on the first podcast where they brought up switching from BY to SY. That he didnt agree with players playing down. He said this to calm all the ECNL clubs that know GY would quickly translate into less revenue if implemented.
FYI, the discussion was in reference to playing down on age when trapped and had nothing to do with school grades. He said this because it created temporary disruptions for the younger team; like too many players for half a season. They also were/are generally against playing up in age except in very rare cases.

So the change from BY to SY was to accommodate more players playing with their grade in school...

Got it

Exactly! You cant have it both ways.

ECNL is going to implement a rule not allowing Aug birthdays to play down with players a grade below then in school.


The player should not play down in the younger grade players' team. It is a hidden bully with a subtle middle finger.

Normal people understand that playing down is crap.

Crazy people (probably a liberal woman who never played sports) wants to make everything inclusive and fair so even the oddballs that cant tie their shoelaces have a spot on the team.


How do you or anyone define the terms playing down? If kids are the same grade? Because any window of time the older players are technically playing down as well? Is a January kid in BY playing down?

No soccer league is going Grad Year but for people to cry about it so much what sad losers.

A Jan kid in BY is playing with their grade.

A July to Dec kid in BY is playing up a grade.

You dont even understand what you're arguing about. Nobody in BY plays down.


Actually, in BY, Jan-Jul are typically in a higher grade vs. Aug-Dec. so, they are playing against kids in a younger grade now. Much more than they would under SY.


This is what i never understood about everyone complaining about the August kid in an 8-1 cutoff. it seems it is perfectly fine if the August kid is in the same grade as the Jan-July kids but it is not ok if the Aug kid is in the same grade as the Sept-Dec kid...that is the argument that has dominated most of the pages for the last year....but nobody has ever had an issue with the Jan-Mar kids playing against the Oct-Dec kids for the last 7 years and they were in seperate grades. the August kid is the one everyone complains about and how it is unfair (regardles of grade) but it was never an issue to those same people that had grade differences in BY - especially the Jan-March parents. The biggest complainers at this point are the Jan-July parents that no become the Aug-Dec parents from the past 7 years.

Its the differnce between playing up in BY or Aug birthdays potentially playing down in SY.

Playing up is never an issue. Playing down is always an issue.
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2025 13:38     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

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:I just don't understand why a parent would fight for their kid to play down. When i was young if you werem't the same ability as kids your age you didnt play.

The crazy parents were the ones fighting for their kid to play up against older players on an older team. Sometimes these parents were justified. Sometimes they thought their kid was better than they were. But it didn't matter because the older kids would sort that out on the field with the younger player.

The push to playi down started 20 years ago but became more mainstream 10 years ago. You see it all the time at private schools.16 year old freshman are becoming the norm for private schools that recruit.

Youth Soccer has always been grouped based on a 12 month calendar. The cheaters hate it and want to change soccer into another GY sport. This will never happen because clubs control competition and college recruitment pathways. Clubs make much more money not implementing GY not allowing players to play down.

Adding on...

This is why Christian Lavars (the ECNL grand puba) said on the first podcast where they brought up switching from BY to SY. That he didnt agree with players playing down. He said this to calm all the ECNL clubs that know GY would quickly translate into less revenue if implemented.
FYI, the discussion was in reference to playing down on age when trapped and had nothing to do with school grades. He said this because it created temporary disruptions for the younger team; like too many players for half a season. They also were/are generally against playing up in age except in very rare cases.

So the change from BY to SY was to accommodate more players playing with their grade in school...

Got it

Exactly! You cant have it both ways.

ECNL is going to implement a rule not allowing Aug birthdays to play down with players a grade below then in school.


The player should not play down in the younger grade players' team. It is a hidden bully with a subtle middle finger.


It's not. Sorry, but comments like this are an over-reaction.

No they're absolutely appropriate.

You're the one that thinks playing down is acceptable when its not.


It's totally acceptable. It's what happens now in BY and will happen in SY. This view of "playing down" misunderstands the issue.

Hahaha you dont get it + have no clue.

No parent wants a player playing down on their kids team. MLSN only gets away with biobanding because they tell younger parents that a biobanded player will get huge when puberty hits and start playing with their age again.

Just stop advocating for playing down you're embarrassing yourself.


Actually this just advocates for age groups.



Aug.1-Jul 31 will be a good system. Adding unnecessary rules about grades is a bad idea. Giving people flexibility to play up if needed is good. Enjoy the soccer. It's a privilege to have a kid play at whatever level they can ultimately achieve.

Actually allowing Aug birthdays to play down on a team with players that are a grade younger is very bad.
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2025 13:37     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I just don't understand why a parent would fight for their kid to play down. When i was young if you werem't the same ability as kids your age you didnt play.

The crazy parents were the ones fighting for their kid to play up against older players on an older team. Sometimes these parents were justified. Sometimes they thought their kid was better than they were. But it didn't matter because the older kids would sort that out on the field with the younger player.

The push to playi down started 20 years ago but became more mainstream 10 years ago. You see it all the time at private schools.16 year old freshman are becoming the norm for private schools that recruit.

Youth Soccer has always been grouped based on a 12 month calendar. The cheaters hate it and want to change soccer into another GY sport. This will never happen because clubs control competition and college recruitment pathways. Clubs make much more money not implementing GY not allowing players to play down.

Adding on...

This is why Christian Lavars (the ECNL grand puba) said on the first podcast where they brought up switching from BY to SY. That he didnt agree with players playing down. He said this to calm all the ECNL clubs that know GY would quickly translate into less revenue if implemented.
FYI, the discussion was in reference to playing down on age when trapped and had nothing to do with school grades. He said this because it created temporary disruptions for the younger team; like too many players for half a season. They also were/are generally against playing up in age except in very rare cases.

So the change from BY to SY was to accommodate more players playing with their grade in school...

Got it

Exactly! You cant have it both ways.

ECNL is going to implement a rule not allowing Aug birthdays to play down with players a grade below then in school.


The player should not play down in the younger grade players' team. It is a hidden bully with a subtle middle finger.

Normal people understand that playing down is crap.

Crazy people (probably a liberal woman who never played sports) wants to make everything inclusive and fair so even the oddballs that cant tie their shoelaces have a spot on the team.


How do you or anyone define the terms playing down? If kids are the same grade? Because any window of time the older players are technically playing down as well? Is a January kid in BY playing down?

No soccer league is going Grad Year but for people to cry about it so much what sad losers.


Playing in a team where players are one or two grades lower than you is playing down. Playing in a team where players are 13 months to 23 months younger than you is playing down. If you don't understand it in a p2p club environment, just imagine a Junior play in a HS frosh soccer team. He is playing with players 1 to 2 grades down and more than 12 months younger.


Those who want to play by grade, have middle and high school.
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2025 13:36     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I just don't understand why a parent would fight for their kid to play down. When i was young if you werem't the same ability as kids your age you didnt play.

The crazy parents were the ones fighting for their kid to play up against older players on an older team. Sometimes these parents were justified. Sometimes they thought their kid was better than they were. But it didn't matter because the older kids would sort that out on the field with the younger player.

The push to playi down started 20 years ago but became more mainstream 10 years ago. You see it all the time at private schools.16 year old freshman are becoming the norm for private schools that recruit.

Youth Soccer has always been grouped based on a 12 month calendar. The cheaters hate it and want to change soccer into another GY sport. This will never happen because clubs control competition and college recruitment pathways. Clubs make much more money not implementing GY not allowing players to play down.

Adding on...

This is why Christian Lavars (the ECNL grand puba) said on the first podcast where they brought up switching from BY to SY. That he didnt agree with players playing down. He said this to calm all the ECNL clubs that know GY would quickly translate into less revenue if implemented.
FYI, the discussion was in reference to playing down on age when trapped and had nothing to do with school grades. He said this because it created temporary disruptions for the younger team; like too many players for half a season. They also were/are generally against playing up in age except in very rare cases.

So the change from BY to SY was to accommodate more players playing with their grade in school...

Got it

Exactly! You cant have it both ways.

ECNL is going to implement a rule not allowing Aug birthdays to play down with players a grade below then in school.


The player should not play down in the younger grade players' team. It is a hidden bully with a subtle middle finger.

Normal people understand that playing down is crap.

Crazy people (probably a liberal woman who never played sports) wants to make everything inclusive and fair so even the oddballs that cant tie their shoelaces have a spot on the team.


How do you or anyone define the terms playing down? If kids are the same grade? Because any window of time the older players are technically playing down as well? Is a January kid in BY playing down?

No soccer league is going Grad Year but for people to cry about it so much what sad losers.

A Jan kid in BY is playing with their grade.

A July to Dec kid in BY is playing up a grade.

You dont even understand what you're arguing about. Nobody in BY plays down.


Actually, in BY, Jan-Jul are typically in a higher grade vs. Aug-Dec. so, they are playing against kids in a younger grade now. Much more than they would under SY.


This is what i never understood about everyone complaining about the August kid in an 8-1 cutoff. it seems it is perfectly fine if the August kid is in the same grade as the Jan-July kids but it is not ok if the Aug kid is in the same grade as the Sept-Dec kid...that is the argument that has dominated most of the pages for the last year....but nobody has ever had an issue with the Jan-Mar kids playing against the Oct-Dec kids for the last 7 years and they were in seperate grades. the August kid is the one everyone complains about and how it is unfair (regardles of grade) but it was never an issue to those same people that had grade differences in BY - especially the Jan-March parents. The biggest complainers at this point are the Jan-July parents that no become the Aug-Dec parents from the past 7 years.
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2025 13:34     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

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:I just don't understand why a parent would fight for their kid to play down. When i was young if you werem't the same ability as kids your age you didnt play.

The crazy parents were the ones fighting for their kid to play up against older players on an older team. Sometimes these parents were justified. Sometimes they thought their kid was better than they were. But it didn't matter because the older kids would sort that out on the field with the younger player.

The push to playi down started 20 years ago but became more mainstream 10 years ago. You see it all the time at private schools.16 year old freshman are becoming the norm for private schools that recruit.

Youth Soccer has always been grouped based on a 12 month calendar. The cheaters hate it and want to change soccer into another GY sport. This will never happen because clubs control competition and college recruitment pathways. Clubs make much more money not implementing GY not allowing players to play down.

Adding on...

This is why Christian Lavars (the ECNL grand puba) said on the first podcast where they brought up switching from BY to SY. That he didnt agree with players playing down. He said this to calm all the ECNL clubs that know GY would quickly translate into less revenue if implemented.
FYI, the discussion was in reference to playing down on age when trapped and had nothing to do with school grades. He said this because it created temporary disruptions for the younger team; like too many players for half a season. They also were/are generally against playing up in age except in very rare cases.

So the change from BY to SY was to accommodate more players playing with their grade in school...

Got it

Exactly! You cant have it both ways.

ECNL is going to implement a rule not allowing Aug birthdays to play down with players a grade below then in school.


The player should not play down in the younger grade players' team. It is a hidden bully with a subtle middle finger.


It's not. Sorry, but comments like this are an over-reaction.

No they're absolutely appropriate.

You're the one that thinks playing down is acceptable when its not.


It's totally acceptable. It's what happens now in BY and will happen in SY. This view of "playing down" misunderstands the issue.

Hahaha you dont get it + have no clue.

No parent wants a player playing down on their kids team. MLSN only gets away with biobanding because they tell younger parents that a biobanded player will get huge when puberty hits and start playing with their age again.

Just stop advocating for playing down you're embarrassing yourself.


Actually this just advocates for age groups.



Aug.1-Jul 31 will be a good system. Adding unnecessary rules about grades is a bad idea. Giving people flexibility to play up if needed is good. Enjoy the soccer. It's a privilege to have a kid play at whatever level they can ultimately achieve.
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2025 13:27     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I just don't understand why a parent would fight for their kid to play down. When i was young if you werem't the same ability as kids your age you didnt play.

The crazy parents were the ones fighting for their kid to play up against older players on an older team. Sometimes these parents were justified. Sometimes they thought their kid was better than they were. But it didn't matter because the older kids would sort that out on the field with the younger player.

The push to playi down started 20 years ago but became more mainstream 10 years ago. You see it all the time at private schools.16 year old freshman are becoming the norm for private schools that recruit.

Youth Soccer has always been grouped based on a 12 month calendar. The cheaters hate it and want to change soccer into another GY sport. This will never happen because clubs control competition and college recruitment pathways. Clubs make much more money not implementing GY not allowing players to play down.

Adding on...

This is why Christian Lavars (the ECNL grand puba) said on the first podcast where they brought up switching from BY to SY. That he didnt agree with players playing down. He said this to calm all the ECNL clubs that know GY would quickly translate into less revenue if implemented.
FYI, the discussion was in reference to playing down on age when trapped and had nothing to do with school grades. He said this because it created temporary disruptions for the younger team; like too many players for half a season. They also were/are generally against playing up in age except in very rare cases.

So the change from BY to SY was to accommodate more players playing with their grade in school...

Got it

Exactly! You cant have it both ways.

ECNL is going to implement a rule not allowing Aug birthdays to play down with players a grade below then in school.


The player should not play down in the younger grade players' team. It is a hidden bully with a subtle middle finger.

Normal people understand that playing down is crap.

Crazy people (probably a liberal woman who never played sports) wants to make everything inclusive and fair so even the oddballs that cant tie their shoelaces have a spot on the team.


How do you or anyone define the terms playing down? If kids are the same grade? Because any window of time the older players are technically playing down as well? Is a January kid in BY playing down?

No soccer league is going Grad Year but for people to cry about it so much what sad losers.

A Jan kid in BY is playing with their grade.

A July to Dec kid in BY is playing up a grade.

You dont even understand what you're arguing about. Nobody in BY plays down.


Age is the main determinant by far of a playing up or down advantage, not what grade you are in.


That is definitely false for youngers in areas where rec and littles are grade based. When kids decide to move up to competitive if born on the wrong side of the birth year they lose a year of soccer as they jump up to play with those in older grades, usually losing an important year of 7v7. They may make it up but they will start with a pretty big disadvantage.
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2025 13:16     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I just don't understand why a parent would fight for their kid to play down. When i was young if you werem't the same ability as kids your age you didnt play.

The crazy parents were the ones fighting for their kid to play up against older players on an older team. Sometimes these parents were justified. Sometimes they thought their kid was better than they were. But it didn't matter because the older kids would sort that out on the field with the younger player.

The push to playi down started 20 years ago but became more mainstream 10 years ago. You see it all the time at private schools.16 year old freshman are becoming the norm for private schools that recruit.

Youth Soccer has always been grouped based on a 12 month calendar. The cheaters hate it and want to change soccer into another GY sport. This will never happen because clubs control competition and college recruitment pathways. Clubs make much more money not implementing GY not allowing players to play down.

Adding on...

This is why Christian Lavars (the ECNL grand puba) said on the first podcast where they brought up switching from BY to SY. That he didnt agree with players playing down. He said this to calm all the ECNL clubs that know GY would quickly translate into less revenue if implemented.
FYI, the discussion was in reference to playing down on age when trapped and had nothing to do with school grades. He said this because it created temporary disruptions for the younger team; like too many players for half a season. They also were/are generally against playing up in age except in very rare cases.

So the change from BY to SY was to accommodate more players playing with their grade in school...

Got it

Exactly! You cant have it both ways.

ECNL is going to implement a rule not allowing Aug birthdays to play down with players a grade below then in school.


The player should not play down in the younger grade players' team. It is a hidden bully with a subtle middle finger.

Normal people understand that playing down is crap.

Crazy people (probably a liberal woman who never played sports) wants to make everything inclusive and fair so even the oddballs that cant tie their shoelaces have a spot on the team.


How do you or anyone define the terms playing down? If kids are the same grade? Because any window of time the older players are technically playing down as well? Is a January kid in BY playing down?

No soccer league is going Grad Year but for people to cry about it so much what sad losers.


Playing in a team where players are one or two grades lower than you is playing down. Playing in a team where players are 13 months to 23 months younger than you is playing down. If you don't understand it in a p2p club environment, just imagine a Junior play in a HS frosh soccer team. He is playing with players 1 to 2 grades down and more than 12 months younger.
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2025 13:11     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I just don't understand why a parent would fight for their kid to play down. When i was young if you werem't the same ability as kids your age you didnt play.

The crazy parents were the ones fighting for their kid to play up against older players on an older team. Sometimes these parents were justified. Sometimes they thought their kid was better than they were. But it didn't matter because the older kids would sort that out on the field with the younger player.

The push to playi down started 20 years ago but became more mainstream 10 years ago. You see it all the time at private schools.16 year old freshman are becoming the norm for private schools that recruit.

Youth Soccer has always been grouped based on a 12 month calendar. The cheaters hate it and want to change soccer into another GY sport. This will never happen because clubs control competition and college recruitment pathways. Clubs make much more money not implementing GY not allowing players to play down.

Adding on...

This is why Christian Lavars (the ECNL grand puba) said on the first podcast where they brought up switching from BY to SY. That he didnt agree with players playing down. He said this to calm all the ECNL clubs that know GY would quickly translate into less revenue if implemented.
FYI, the discussion was in reference to playing down on age when trapped and had nothing to do with school grades. He said this because it created temporary disruptions for the younger team; like too many players for half a season. They also were/are generally against playing up in age except in very rare cases.

So the change from BY to SY was to accommodate more players playing with their grade in school...

Got it

Exactly! You cant have it both ways.

ECNL is going to implement a rule not allowing Aug birthdays to play down with players a grade below then in school.


The player should not play down in the younger grade players' team. It is a hidden bully with a subtle middle finger.


It's not. Sorry, but comments like this are an over-reaction.

No they're absolutely appropriate.

You're the one that thinks playing down is acceptable when its not.


It's totally acceptable. It's what happens now in BY and will happen in SY. This view of "playing down" misunderstands the issue.

Hahaha you dont get it + have no clue.

No parent wants a player playing down on their kids team. MLSN only gets away with biobanding because they tell younger parents that a biobanded player will get huge when puberty hits and start playing with their age again.

Just stop advocating for playing down you're embarrassing yourself.


Actually this just advocates for age groups.

Anonymous
Post 09/04/2025 13:03     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I just don't understand why a parent would fight for their kid to play down. When i was young if you werem't the same ability as kids your age you didnt play.

The crazy parents were the ones fighting for their kid to play up against older players on an older team. Sometimes these parents were justified. Sometimes they thought their kid was better than they were. But it didn't matter because the older kids would sort that out on the field with the younger player.

The push to playi down started 20 years ago but became more mainstream 10 years ago. You see it all the time at private schools.16 year old freshman are becoming the norm for private schools that recruit.

Youth Soccer has always been grouped based on a 12 month calendar. The cheaters hate it and want to change soccer into another GY sport. This will never happen because clubs control competition and college recruitment pathways. Clubs make much more money not implementing GY not allowing players to play down.

Adding on...

This is why Christian Lavars (the ECNL grand puba) said on the first podcast where they brought up switching from BY to SY. That he didnt agree with players playing down. He said this to calm all the ECNL clubs that know GY would quickly translate into less revenue if implemented.
FYI, the discussion was in reference to playing down on age when trapped and had nothing to do with school grades. He said this because it created temporary disruptions for the younger team; like too many players for half a season. They also were/are generally against playing up in age except in very rare cases.

So the change from BY to SY was to accommodate more players playing with their grade in school...

Got it

Exactly! You cant have it both ways.

ECNL is going to implement a rule not allowing Aug birthdays to play down with players a grade below then in school.


The player should not play down in the younger grade players' team. It is a hidden bully with a subtle middle finger.


It's not. Sorry, but comments like this are an over-reaction.

No they're absolutely appropriate.

You're the one that thinks playing down is acceptable when its not.


It's totally acceptable. It's what happens now in BY and will happen in SY. This view of "playing down" misunderstands the issue.

Hahaha you dont get it + have no clue.

No parent wants a player playing down on their kids team. MLSN only gets away with biobanding because they tell younger parents that a biobanded player will get huge when puberty hits and start playing with their age again.

Just stop advocating for playing down you're embarrassing yourself.


Actually this just advocates for age groups.
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2025 13:00     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I just don't understand why a parent would fight for their kid to play down. When i was young if you werem't the same ability as kids your age you didnt play.

The crazy parents were the ones fighting for their kid to play up against older players on an older team. Sometimes these parents were justified. Sometimes they thought their kid was better than they were. But it didn't matter because the older kids would sort that out on the field with the younger player.

The push to playi down started 20 years ago but became more mainstream 10 years ago. You see it all the time at private schools.16 year old freshman are becoming the norm for private schools that recruit.

Youth Soccer has always been grouped based on a 12 month calendar. The cheaters hate it and want to change soccer into another GY sport. This will never happen because clubs control competition and college recruitment pathways. Clubs make much more money not implementing GY not allowing players to play down.

Adding on...

This is why Christian Lavars (the ECNL grand puba) said on the first podcast where they brought up switching from BY to SY. That he didnt agree with players playing down. He said this to calm all the ECNL clubs that know GY would quickly translate into less revenue if implemented.
FYI, the discussion was in reference to playing down on age when trapped and had nothing to do with school grades. He said this because it created temporary disruptions for the younger team; like too many players for half a season. They also were/are generally against playing up in age except in very rare cases.

So the change from BY to SY was to accommodate more players playing with their grade in school...

Got it

Exactly! You cant have it both ways.

ECNL is going to implement a rule not allowing Aug birthdays to play down with players a grade below then in school.


The player should not play down in the younger grade players' team. It is a hidden bully with a subtle middle finger.


It's not. Sorry, but comments like this are an over-reaction.

No they're absolutely appropriate.

You're the one that thinks playing down is acceptable when its not.


It's totally acceptable. It's what happens now in BY and will happen in SY. This view of "playing down" misunderstands the issue.

Hahaha you dont get it + have no clue.

No parent wants a player playing down on their kids team. MLSN only gets away with biobanding because they tell younger parents that a biobanded player will get huge when puberty hits and start playing with their age again.

Just stop advocating for playing down you're embarrassing yourself.
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2025 12:59     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I just don't understand why a parent would fight for their kid to play down. When i was young if you werem't the same ability as kids your age you didnt play.

The crazy parents were the ones fighting for their kid to play up against older players on an older team. Sometimes these parents were justified. Sometimes they thought their kid was better than they were. But it didn't matter because the older kids would sort that out on the field with the younger player.

The push to playi down started 20 years ago but became more mainstream 10 years ago. You see it all the time at private schools.16 year old freshman are becoming the norm for private schools that recruit.

Youth Soccer has always been grouped based on a 12 month calendar. The cheaters hate it and want to change soccer into another GY sport. This will never happen because clubs control competition and college recruitment pathways. Clubs make much more money not implementing GY not allowing players to play down.

Adding on...

This is why Christian Lavars (the ECNL grand puba) said on the first podcast where they brought up switching from BY to SY. That he didnt agree with players playing down. He said this to calm all the ECNL clubs that know GY would quickly translate into less revenue if implemented.
FYI, the discussion was in reference to playing down on age when trapped and had nothing to do with school grades. He said this because it created temporary disruptions for the younger team; like too many players for half a season. They also were/are generally against playing up in age except in very rare cases.

So the change from BY to SY was to accommodate more players playing with their grade in school...

Got it

Exactly! You cant have it both ways.

ECNL is going to implement a rule not allowing Aug birthdays to play down with players a grade below then in school.


The player should not play down in the younger grade players' team. It is a hidden bully with a subtle middle finger.

Normal people understand that playing down is crap.

Crazy people (probably a liberal woman who never played sports) wants to make everything inclusive and fair so even the oddballs that cant tie their shoelaces have a spot on the team.


How do you or anyone define the terms playing down? If kids are the same grade? Because any window of time the older players are technically playing down as well? Is a January kid in BY playing down?

No soccer league is going Grad Year but for people to cry about it so much what sad losers.

A Jan kid in BY is playing with their grade.

A July to Dec kid in BY is playing up a grade.

You dont even understand what you're arguing about. Nobody in BY plays down.


Age is the main determinant by far of a playing up or down advantage, not what grade you are in.

Ok if grade plays no role in switching from BY to SY why change?

Just stay BY if grade in school doesnt matter.


It does play a role but there's no perfect solution on the margins except to provide people with flexibility -- which is being done. Adding rules actually makes it more complicated and harder for people.
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2025 12:56     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I just don't understand why a parent would fight for their kid to play down. When i was young if you werem't the same ability as kids your age you didnt play.

The crazy parents were the ones fighting for their kid to play up against older players on an older team. Sometimes these parents were justified. Sometimes they thought their kid was better than they were. But it didn't matter because the older kids would sort that out on the field with the younger player.

The push to playi down started 20 years ago but became more mainstream 10 years ago. You see it all the time at private schools.16 year old freshman are becoming the norm for private schools that recruit.

Youth Soccer has always been grouped based on a 12 month calendar. The cheaters hate it and want to change soccer into another GY sport. This will never happen because clubs control competition and college recruitment pathways. Clubs make much more money not implementing GY not allowing players to play down.

Adding on...

This is why Christian Lavars (the ECNL grand puba) said on the first podcast where they brought up switching from BY to SY. That he didnt agree with players playing down. He said this to calm all the ECNL clubs that know GY would quickly translate into less revenue if implemented.
FYI, the discussion was in reference to playing down on age when trapped and had nothing to do with school grades. He said this because it created temporary disruptions for the younger team; like too many players for half a season. They also were/are generally against playing up in age except in very rare cases.

So the change from BY to SY was to accommodate more players playing with their grade in school...

Got it

Exactly! You cant have it both ways.

ECNL is going to implement a rule not allowing Aug birthdays to play down with players a grade below then in school.


The player should not play down in the younger grade players' team. It is a hidden bully with a subtle middle finger.

Normal people understand that playing down is crap.

Crazy people (probably a liberal woman who never played sports) wants to make everything inclusive and fair so even the oddballs that cant tie their shoelaces have a spot on the team.


How do you or anyone define the terms playing down? If kids are the same grade? Because any window of time the older players are technically playing down as well? Is a January kid in BY playing down?

No soccer league is going Grad Year but for people to cry about it so much what sad losers.

A Jan kid in BY is playing with their grade.

A July to Dec kid in BY is playing up a grade.

You dont even understand what you're arguing about. Nobody in BY plays down.


Age is the main determinant by far of a playing up or down advantage, not what grade you are in.

Ok if grade plays no role in switching from BY to SY why change?

Just stay BY if grade in school doesnt matter.


It’s supposed to help increase participation and ease recruiting. Sorry your July kid is going to be among the youngest next year.