Anonymous
Post 01/10/2026 12:09     Subject: Age Change Discussion/Impacts (Except for August Birthdays Playing "Down")

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We've heard a rumor that our club (Top 30 Nationally) plans to leave current BY teams as is for Freshman and up teams even in SY. Letting the players age out with their friends on the teams that their used to.

All teams below Freshman would be shuffled for SY.

Multiple parents have asked about Aug birthdays but nothing has been relayed about them.

I bet this is for College recruiting as well. It would suck to restart all your communication with college coaches because of a team change, or a number change, or a level change.


LOL 😆

Does your name, DOB, highlight videos and school graduation date change?
Does your skills change?

If you were good enough to be on the radar of UVA in BY, you're still good enough tomorrow in SY

Majority here aren't college team bound

You have no clue.

It takes time and effort to work with college coaches and get re recruited.


"re recruited" hahahaha

This is either extremely humorous sarcasm and cynicism or lunacy
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2026 12:09     Subject: Age Change Discussion/Impacts (Except for August Birthdays Playing "Down")

Anonymous wrote:We are U12 and my DC is a Q4 on a 1st team and we have heard nothing.

I don’t honestly expect us to hear anything right now because the older age groups are much more impacted than us. Just reshuffle us and we’ll be fine.

I heard that one club is scrimmaging with the new age groups to understand internally what they have. I heard another club is going to run their tryouts top down and fill in the older teams first and move down the line. I am sure if every club did both, it would be an ideal transition. Naturally, these clubs are not that great at execution and they bow to parental pressure so we will see a range of circumstance’s this spring.

People in big clubs need to be ready for anything. There are 8/1+ kids buried on Aspire and RL teams that are going to supplant 7/31- kids on 1st teams. Don’t be too emotional. There is nothing wrong with 2nd teams. If you are focused on the long haul, develop where you are and focus on moving up in a few years.

You probably wont see as many B team players moving to younger A teams as you think. At least at first. Club coaches and DOCs are egotistical and arrogant. They have their favorites that they've been developing for several years and wont like being proven wrong. This means if you get put on a B team and your kid lights it up they will get noticed. By your coach or other club coaches.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2026 10:04     Subject: Age Change Discussion/Impacts (Except for August Birthdays Playing "Down")

We are U12 and my DC is a Q4 on a 1st team and we have heard nothing.

I don’t honestly expect us to hear anything right now because the older age groups are much more impacted than us. Just reshuffle us and we’ll be fine.

I heard that one club is scrimmaging with the new age groups to understand internally what they have. I heard another club is going to run their tryouts top down and fill in the older teams first and move down the line. I am sure if every club did both, it would be an ideal transition. Naturally, these clubs are not that great at execution and they bow to parental pressure so we will see a range of circumstance’s this spring.

People in big clubs need to be ready for anything. There are 8/1+ kids buried on Aspire and RL teams that are going to supplant 7/31- kids on 1st teams. Don’t be too emotional. There is nothing wrong with 2nd teams. If you are focused on the long haul, develop where you are and focus on moving up in a few years.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2026 09:54     Subject: Age Change Discussion/Impacts (Except for August Birthdays Playing "Down")

Anonymous wrote:Non DMV Club, but in the ECNL MA. DD is U17 currently, 2009 BY.

Club has sent out multiple communications about the change and just held training sessions with pretty much how they expect the new groups to shake out. DD trained with a pretty large group, 25 or so, that included some players from the RL team, players that were not graduating that are currently on the U18/U19 team.

Rosters typically have only been 18, so it will be interesting to see where things go.

It's tough, feelings will be hurt, but it is what is it is. What I mean by that is that there are a few players on my DD's team that while 2009 BY, they are very late in the year and are a year behind in grade. Well after the 7/31 date. Expect them to get moved.

This is because there is also a group of players on the current U18/U19 squad that are only juniors with similar late birthdays.

It will all settle out after the first year. Same thing happened when the shift was made from SY to BY. My son's team at the time got completely blown up, but it all worked out.

Good Luck.


We need to import you to the DMV. More rationale parents needed! Thanks for your response.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2026 09:36     Subject: Age Change Discussion/Impacts (Except for August Birthdays Playing "Down")

Non DMV Club, but in the ECNL MA. DD is U17 currently, 2009 BY.

Club has sent out multiple communications about the change and just held training sessions with pretty much how they expect the new groups to shake out. DD trained with a pretty large group, 25 or so, that included some players from the RL team, players that were not graduating that are currently on the U18/U19 team.

Rosters typically have only been 18, so it will be interesting to see where things go.

It's tough, feelings will be hurt, but it is what is it is. What I mean by that is that there are a few players on my DD's team that while 2009 BY, they are very late in the year and are a year behind in grade. Well after the 7/31 date. Expect them to get moved.

This is because there is also a group of players on the current U18/U19 squad that are only juniors with similar late birthdays.

It will all settle out after the first year. Same thing happened when the shift was made from SY to BY. My son's team at the time got completely blown up, but it all worked out.

Good Luck.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2026 09:29     Subject: Age Change Discussion/Impacts (Except for August Birthdays Playing "Down")

Anonymous wrote:Another fairly obvious data point - all summer select teams from our large club (runs U8-U15) will be formed by 8/1 - 7/31. It's club neutral so I expect those dates will be strictly adhered to.
Yeah. I would imagine this is another way for them to see how the pieces fit, during tryouts this winter.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2026 09:22     Subject: Age Change Discussion/Impacts (Except for August Birthdays Playing "Down")

Our club is running new age group scrimmages based on what you will be in the fall. However, the top level does not need to come. So, I am assuming they will keep the ECNL level kids together and move all others around as they see fit.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2026 06:43     Subject: Age Change Discussion/Impacts (Except for August Birthdays Playing "Down")

Another fairly obvious data point - all summer select teams from our large club (runs U8-U15) will be formed by 8/1 - 7/31. It's club neutral so I expect those dates will be strictly adhered to.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2026 00:27     Subject: Age Change Discussion/Impacts (Except for August Birthdays Playing "Down")

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We've heard a rumor that our club (Top 30 Nationally) plans to leave current BY teams as is for Freshman and up teams even in SY. Letting the players age out with their friends on the teams that their used to.

All teams below Freshman would be shuffled for SY.

Multiple parents have asked about Aug birthdays but nothing has been relayed about them.

I bet this is for College recruiting as well. It would suck to restart all your communication with college coaches because of a team change, or a number change, or a level change.


LOL 😆

Does your name, DOB, highlight videos and school graduation date change?
Does your skills change?

If you were good enough to be on the radar of UVA in BY, you're still good enough tomorrow in SY

Majority here aren't college team bound

You have no clue.

It takes time and effort to work with college coaches and get re recruited.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 21:23     Subject: Age Change Discussion/Impacts (Except for August Birthdays Playing "Down")

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We've heard a rumor that our club (Top 30 Nationally) plans to leave current BY teams as is for Freshman and up teams even in SY. Letting the players age out with their friends on the teams that their used to.

All teams below Freshman would be shuffled for SY.

Multiple parents have asked about Aug birthdays but nothing has been relayed about them.

I bet this is for College recruiting as well. It would suck to restart all your communication with college coaches because of a team change, or a number change, or a level change.


LOL 😆

Does your name, DOB, highlight videos and school graduation date change?
Does your skills change?

If you were good enough to be on the radar of UVA in BY, you're still good enough tomorrow in SY

Majority here aren't college team bound
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 21:20     Subject: Age Change Discussion/Impacts (Except for August Birthdays Playing "Down")

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:So without August birthdays playjng down a grade all you have is Aug-Dec birthdays that were playing up a grade in BY will now be playing withh their grade in SY.

Nobody has an issue with this.


I'm more interested in how teams are being formed. There's a lot of people saying they want to keep teams together for social/continuity reasons. I'm wondering where that divide is level/age wise.


It's soccer
Kids change teams, clubs and teammates all the time and continue playing

Social is for play-dates at the Starbucks, mall and Dave & Busters
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 21:16     Subject: Age Change Discussion/Impacts (Except for August Birthdays Playing "Down")

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I don’t know what else you folks are discussing.

“Playing down” and “repeating” are languages that are triggering fixed-mindset people. A one year age group is one year no matter what grade, start date, etc.

While numerous clubs, parents and coaches “play kids up” only a small percentage “should” and that should stay the same in the new bracketing. Get over your emotions and your team bond and learn how to be versatile.

This is a one year change and then it will be normal again. If your team substantially stays the same, cool. If your team materially changes, cool. Life is full of change. Get over it.

I think that sums it up.


Too logical, rational and unemotional for this group
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 20:43     Subject: Age Change Discussion/Impacts (Except for August Birthdays Playing "Down")

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Our club has held age group ID sessions already for our top 2 levels, which also attracted outsiders. Our top levels are in strong national platforms.

They specifically required kids to play with their new age group, while noting that some plays may ultimately play up.

Watching these you really see the interesting things, such as 2nd team players who are older hold their own with 1st teamers from the younger group. Some 2nd team players already are doing some practices with the 1st team down. Clearly, the club is starting its internal sorting process.

At older groups, there is a lot of concern among parents about wanting to stay with their classmates. Maybe because people are more honest at this stage vs. guarded it's more open since the trajectory of your kid (college OR just HS) is pretty clear. The sense I get from the talk I hear is there'll be more flexibility with this group about playing up vs. the youngers.


What clubs are holding ID camps already in winter to prepare for next year? No waiting for tryouts?


Potomac announcements ID sessions in November and has been picking up players through the winter.
SYC announced tryouts coming soon this past week.
Arlington in the club holding internal scrimmages with the new age groups.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 20:13     Subject: Age Change Discussion/Impacts (Except for August Birthdays Playing "Down")

Anonymous wrote:Our club has held age group ID sessions already for our top 2 levels, which also attracted outsiders. Our top levels are in strong national platforms.

They specifically required kids to play with their new age group, while noting that some plays may ultimately play up.

Watching these you really see the interesting things, such as 2nd team players who are older hold their own with 1st teamers from the younger group. Some 2nd team players already are doing some practices with the 1st team down. Clearly, the club is starting its internal sorting process.

At older groups, there is a lot of concern among parents about wanting to stay with their classmates. Maybe because people are more honest at this stage vs. guarded it's more open since the trajectory of your kid (college OR just HS) is pretty clear. The sense I get from the talk I hear is there'll be more flexibility with this group about playing up vs. the youngers.


What clubs are holding ID camps already in winter to prepare for next year? No waiting for tryouts?
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 19:15     Subject: Age Change Discussion/Impacts (Except for August Birthdays Playing "Down")

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why are you starting a new thread when you aready have one and then saying you will report anyone who doesn't support what you are saying? Why the drama?


There is no agreeing/disagreeing - if you want to talk about Aug players go there. This about how clubs and families are being impacted in every other scenario.

Again if you take August players out of the mix changing from BY to SY is no big deal.

The only players impacted will be HS level who are in the college recruitment phase.

I guess people might have issues with Jersey numbers. But clubs will use this an an opportunity for them to make more $$$ forcing everyone to buy a new kit.


You say no big deal, but what about kids who've been with the same core group for years? Are some clubs going to try to stick together for one last run? All thoughts I've heard from other parents discussing this at practices/games. Some fully think they'll stick together when it's pretty clear they're being misled.


I think in perfect world the clubs would like to keep a good team together but this is also a competition and your kid has to earn spot regardless of age. So if your player can not out perform or give coach reason to keep you where you are he is not going to hurt 95% of team for 5%