Anonymous
Post 12/16/2025 14:38     Subject: Trapped/Re-aging Families, How are you having the conversation?

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Anonymous wrote:G2016 was speaking with another parent this weekend about the BY the SY change. He said its weird. I asked why he thinks its weird. He said my kid is an August birthday. I said wouldn't that make your kid the oldest on a SY team? My kid is a july birthday shes screwed. He said its weird that my daughter would be playing on a team with players that are a year behind her in school. I said if you think that it's weird just tell your club that you're not paying unless shes on a team with players her grade.

Interesting exchange you could tell he instinctively knew that playing down was an issue. But he couldnt figure out why. His oldest is being recruited for swimming right so Im sure he'll put the pieces together reguarding his youngest and playing on the correct grade team.
In summary, you finally met someone with an child with an August birthday but couldn't convince them that they should kick and scream to have their kid to play up because they are special, not based on skill but because they are special. And this person didn't buy it. That would check out

I'm the person that wrote this.

I was just trying to listen to see what they were thinking. I thought it was interesting to hear their perspective. I specifically thought it was interesting that they thought it was weird for their kid to play down on a team with younger grade in school players.

You seem to have issues.
Not believable. They didn't have a problem with their daughter playing on age, just thought it was a little odd, and then you told them to go to the club and demand that they allow the girl to play up an age group. That isn't just listening.

Maybe, but the word they used was "weird" not "a little odd" and I know this guy he's 100% into his older kid getting recruited to swim in college. He said weird because playing down a grade goes against everything he's researched for his older kid. I did tell him to tell the club if he wants his kid to play with their grade. He pays the bills. You dont have to be in a weird situation just because some coach wants a big kid on their g2016 team.


The travel club doesn't care about a kids grade

Only their age and skills

That is where you're wrong.

Parents foot the bill so its up to them to protect their Aug birthday kids from being exploited by clubs/coaches playing down for short term wins vs playing with their grade for long term development and college recruiting.


If I'm a coach, no parent can tell me to take their kid to play up on my team if they lack the quality just because of school grade
Yeah, some parents may get their moronic request to play up. Then the coach doesn't play the kid so the kid quits.

Only the dumb parents ask for their kid to play up if they aren't ready and it has nothing to do with grades.

Hahaha nobody ever since the beginning of time has ever had an issue with players asking to play with players their grade.

Nice try though.
Coaches and teams absolutely hold it against kids when parents ask for special treatment.

So special treatment is asking to play with kids in your grade?

You are insane.


No serious coach or club will entertain a request for a player to play up if that player doesn't have the quality to do so.
None

Every club will let a player play with kids their grade if they're an August birthday and a grade older.

No club is going to force a player to participate in a way that is against what they want to do.

Again, nice try though.


This is where rubber meets road. Kids will just quit if you force them into a situation they don't want. It's not worth the time OR money, especially if it means joining a new team after playing with the same people for years.

What is unfortunate is this transition is going to put people into situations that won't give them good choices. Older players who want to play up to stay on grade may have to see less playing time or drop to a lower team VS. joining a team with a bunch of people they really don't know/perhaps less experienced/skilled who might resent the playing time THEY take as a stronger player. I mean, maybe some good life lessons here BUT this is why, IMO, they should have phased in the switch with younger teams first and left the HS ages alone.


People talk like this is Kindergarten social groups play-dates

Tell your kid this is how the real world works and what they will face as adults

The cutoff has changed to 8/1 and this is your new age group.
Go to training and put in the work or be a quitter


Yep, and clubs will have to face the adult reality of fewer customers if they manage things poorly.


Your sense of entitlement has removed all objective logical reality from your mind

Imagine seriously thinking your kid should be on a MLS Next team because of their birth month and demand this of a club


What's out-of-whack is thinking every soccer parent thinks their kid is going to be a college star. Some parents just want a club they've played at for most of their lives to treat them fairly. Nothing more and if they don't, they'll struggle with their bottom line, because those kids and families will move on as they should.


Clubs have been making decisions forever that pains many entitled parents who think little Chad and Lizzy should get whatever they want because they pay the fees

The clubs are still thriving even after you left

By fairly, you mean in your favor to your liking


Clubs thriving? In the time I've watched this space, I've seen plenty of clubs go out of business or have to merge with others. I guess you missed all that. Ignore market forces at your peril.


You're claiming normal market behavior as a feather in your argument cap?

Banks fail, merge
Software companies fail, merge
Hospitals fail, merge
Airlines fail, merge

Nothing you say will make your kid playing up a reality if they're not good enough to do so. Which they're obviously not or you wouldn't be politicking for same grade teams

If Aug birthdays aren't good enough for the correct grade A team welcome to the correct grade B team. Pretty simple
Except you would have to find a team willing to break their own rules to let a non star to play up if it exists. Or find a team to play on age

That makes no sense. The B team is players not good enough for the A team.


We'll be soon seeing a TON of B team players from Aug-Dec born join A teams. Bank on it!


Their B team skills gonna improve overnight?


Not the poster you are replying to, but yes they will improve RELATIVELY overnight when matched against the different age cohort. If you can't see this, I don't know what to tell you (yes the magnitude of course it depends on the specific age group)
Amen. True dat, elitists can't see the obvious.

So conversely Aug birthday players playing down will automatically get worse when playing with grade down cohorts.
Your confusing age with grades again. Grades aren't a thing in club soccer.

Last time I checked ECNL posts players graduation year on their profiles. I wonder why they would do that? Its almost like grade in scholl matters for something. What could it be?


It's so college coaches know when to expect them on campus.

So grade in school does matter and its because college recruiters use it to assess players.

Wouldn't want to be the one player playing down on a team with kids a grade below them. Easy way for recruiters to instant reject players.


Yes, because the recruiter sees the high quality of their current play, sees their strong potential for future play but decides not to recruit because of school grade


Here's the thing that's happening. These players wouldn't even be before the recruiter if they stay on grade on a B team, because the A team is just that good. And yet they have a chance with the A team on age OR it's a position issue. Sure, some coaches may not consider out of hand I guess, but on a lot of clubs the B teams don't get that kind of exposure period -- on the A teams. The A teams are the ones on the platform, get the travel to the big events. It's at least a foot in the door.

Another reason to group by grade as early as possible so correct grade B team players can move up to the correct grade A team when young.


Don't be for GY -- Grade is too slippery.
Yup, going towards grade year and away from set dates is a bad cliff.
Anonymous
Post 12/16/2025 14:35     Subject: Trapped/Re-aging Families, How are you having the conversation?

Anonymous wrote:
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Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:G2016 was speaking with another parent this weekend about the BY the SY change. He said its weird. I asked why he thinks its weird. He said my kid is an August birthday. I said wouldn't that make your kid the oldest on a SY team? My kid is a july birthday shes screwed. He said its weird that my daughter would be playing on a team with players that are a year behind her in school. I said if you think that it's weird just tell your club that you're not paying unless shes on a team with players her grade.

Interesting exchange you could tell he instinctively knew that playing down was an issue. But he couldnt figure out why. His oldest is being recruited for swimming right so Im sure he'll put the pieces together reguarding his youngest and playing on the correct grade team.
In summary, you finally met someone with an child with an August birthday but couldn't convince them that they should kick and scream to have their kid to play up because they are special, not based on skill but because they are special. And this person didn't buy it. That would check out

I'm the person that wrote this.

I was just trying to listen to see what they were thinking. I thought it was interesting to hear their perspective. I specifically thought it was interesting that they thought it was weird for their kid to play down on a team with younger grade in school players.

You seem to have issues.
Not believable. They didn't have a problem with their daughter playing on age, just thought it was a little odd, and then you told them to go to the club and demand that they allow the girl to play up an age group. That isn't just listening.

Maybe, but the word they used was "weird" not "a little odd" and I know this guy he's 100% into his older kid getting recruited to swim in college. He said weird because playing down a grade goes against everything he's researched for his older kid. I did tell him to tell the club if he wants his kid to play with their grade. He pays the bills. You dont have to be in a weird situation just because some coach wants a big kid on their g2016 team.


The travel club doesn't care about a kids grade

Only their age and skills

That is where you're wrong.

Parents foot the bill so its up to them to protect their Aug birthday kids from being exploited by clubs/coaches playing down for short term wins vs playing with their grade for long term development and college recruiting.


If I'm a coach, no parent can tell me to take their kid to play up on my team if they lack the quality just because of school grade
Yeah, some parents may get their moronic request to play up. Then the coach doesn't play the kid so the kid quits.

Only the dumb parents ask for their kid to play up if they aren't ready and it has nothing to do with grades.

Hahaha nobody ever since the beginning of time has ever had an issue with players asking to play with players their grade.

Nice try though.
Coaches and teams absolutely hold it against kids when parents ask for special treatment.

So special treatment is asking to play with kids in your grade?

You are insane.


No serious coach or club will entertain a request for a player to play up if that player doesn't have the quality to do so.
None

Every club will let a player play with kids their grade if they're an August birthday and a grade older.

No club is going to force a player to participate in a way that is against what they want to do.

Again, nice try though.


This is where rubber meets road. Kids will just quit if you force them into a situation they don't want. It's not worth the time OR money, especially if it means joining a new team after playing with the same people for years.

What is unfortunate is this transition is going to put people into situations that won't give them good choices. Older players who want to play up to stay on grade may have to see less playing time or drop to a lower team VS. joining a team with a bunch of people they really don't know/perhaps less experienced/skilled who might resent the playing time THEY take as a stronger player. I mean, maybe some good life lessons here BUT this is why, IMO, they should have phased in the switch with younger teams first and left the HS ages alone.


People talk like this is Kindergarten social groups play-dates

Tell your kid this is how the real world works and what they will face as adults

The cutoff has changed to 8/1 and this is your new age group.
Go to training and put in the work or be a quitter


Yep, and clubs will have to face the adult reality of fewer customers if they manage things poorly.


Your sense of entitlement has removed all objective logical reality from your mind

Imagine seriously thinking your kid should be on a MLS Next team because of their birth month and demand this of a club


What's out-of-whack is thinking every soccer parent thinks their kid is going to be a college star. Some parents just want a club they've played at for most of their lives to treat them fairly. Nothing more and if they don't, they'll struggle with their bottom line, because those kids and families will move on as they should.


Clubs have been making decisions forever that pains many entitled parents who think little Chad and Lizzy should get whatever they want because they pay the fees

The clubs are still thriving even after you left

By fairly, you mean in your favor to your liking


Clubs thriving? In the time I've watched this space, I've seen plenty of clubs go out of business or have to merge with others. I guess you missed all that. Ignore market forces at your peril.


You're claiming normal market behavior as a feather in your argument cap?

Banks fail, merge
Software companies fail, merge
Hospitals fail, merge
Airlines fail, merge

Nothing you say will make your kid playing up a reality if they're not good enough to do so. Which they're obviously not or you wouldn't be politicking for same grade teams

If Aug birthdays aren't good enough for the correct grade A team welcome to the correct grade B team. Pretty simple
Except you would have to find a team willing to break their own rules to let a non star to play up if it exists. Or find a team to play on age

That makes no sense. The B team is players not good enough for the A team.


We'll be soon seeing a TON of B team players from Aug-Dec born join A teams. Bank on it!


Their B team skills gonna improve overnight?


Not the poster you are replying to, but yes they will improve RELATIVELY overnight when matched against the different age cohort. If you can't see this, I don't know what to tell you (yes the magnitude of course it depends on the specific age group)
Amen. True dat, elitists can't see the obvious.

So conversely Aug birthday players playing down will automatically get worse when playing with grade down cohorts.
Your confusing age with grades again. Grades aren't a thing in club soccer.

Last time I checked ECNL posts players graduation year on their profiles. I wonder why they would do that? Its almost like grade in scholl matters for something. What could it be?


It's so college coaches know when to expect them on campus.

So grade in school does matter and its because college recruiters use it to assess players.

Wouldn't want to be the one player playing down on a team with kids a grade below them. Easy way for recruiters to instant reject players.


Yes, because the recruiter sees the high quality of their current play, sees their strong potential for future play but decides not to recruit because of school grade


Here's the thing that's happening. These players wouldn't even be before the recruiter if they stay on grade on a B team, because the A team is just that good. And yet they have a chance with the A team on age OR it's a position issue. Sure, some coaches may not consider out of hand I guess, but on a lot of clubs the B teams don't get that kind of exposure period -- on the A teams. The A teams are the ones on the platform, get the travel to the big events. It's at least a foot in the door.

Another reason to group by grade as early as possible so correct grade B team players can move up to the correct grade A team when young.
Higher probability to play in college from playing on age than trying to play up when not ready and forced to merely because you went to school early. Highest probability to not play in college at all but will play longer if playing on age than playing up if not ready.
Anonymous
Post 12/16/2025 14:29     Subject: Trapped/Re-aging Families, How are you having the conversation?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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Anonymous wrote:
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Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:G2016 was speaking with another parent this weekend about the BY the SY change. He said its weird. I asked why he thinks its weird. He said my kid is an August birthday. I said wouldn't that make your kid the oldest on a SY team? My kid is a july birthday shes screwed. He said its weird that my daughter would be playing on a team with players that are a year behind her in school. I said if you think that it's weird just tell your club that you're not paying unless shes on a team with players her grade.

Interesting exchange you could tell he instinctively knew that playing down was an issue. But he couldnt figure out why. His oldest is being recruited for swimming right so Im sure he'll put the pieces together reguarding his youngest and playing on the correct grade team.
In summary, you finally met someone with an child with an August birthday but couldn't convince them that they should kick and scream to have their kid to play up because they are special, not based on skill but because they are special. And this person didn't buy it. That would check out

I'm the person that wrote this.

I was just trying to listen to see what they were thinking. I thought it was interesting to hear their perspective. I specifically thought it was interesting that they thought it was weird for their kid to play down on a team with younger grade in school players.

You seem to have issues.
Not believable. They didn't have a problem with their daughter playing on age, just thought it was a little odd, and then you told them to go to the club and demand that they allow the girl to play up an age group. That isn't just listening.

Maybe, but the word they used was "weird" not "a little odd" and I know this guy he's 100% into his older kid getting recruited to swim in college. He said weird because playing down a grade goes against everything he's researched for his older kid. I did tell him to tell the club if he wants his kid to play with their grade. He pays the bills. You dont have to be in a weird situation just because some coach wants a big kid on their g2016 team.


The travel club doesn't care about a kids grade

Only their age and skills

That is where you're wrong.

Parents foot the bill so its up to them to protect their Aug birthday kids from being exploited by clubs/coaches playing down for short term wins vs playing with their grade for long term development and college recruiting.


If I'm a coach, no parent can tell me to take their kid to play up on my team if they lack the quality just because of school grade
Yeah, some parents may get their moronic request to play up. Then the coach doesn't play the kid so the kid quits.

Only the dumb parents ask for their kid to play up if they aren't ready and it has nothing to do with grades.

Hahaha nobody ever since the beginning of time has ever had an issue with players asking to play with players their grade.

Nice try though.
Coaches and teams absolutely hold it against kids when parents ask for special treatment.

So special treatment is asking to play with kids in your grade?

You are insane.


No serious coach or club will entertain a request for a player to play up if that player doesn't have the quality to do so.
None

Every club will let a player play with kids their grade if they're an August birthday and a grade older.

No club is going to force a player to participate in a way that is against what they want to do.

Again, nice try though.


This is where rubber meets road. Kids will just quit if you force them into a situation they don't want. It's not worth the time OR money, especially if it means joining a new team after playing with the same people for years.

What is unfortunate is this transition is going to put people into situations that won't give them good choices. Older players who want to play up to stay on grade may have to see less playing time or drop to a lower team VS. joining a team with a bunch of people they really don't know/perhaps less experienced/skilled who might resent the playing time THEY take as a stronger player. I mean, maybe some good life lessons here BUT this is why, IMO, they should have phased in the switch with younger teams first and left the HS ages alone.


People talk like this is Kindergarten social groups play-dates

Tell your kid this is how the real world works and what they will face as adults

The cutoff has changed to 8/1 and this is your new age group.
Go to training and put in the work or be a quitter


Yep, and clubs will have to face the adult reality of fewer customers if they manage things poorly.


Your sense of entitlement has removed all objective logical reality from your mind

Imagine seriously thinking your kid should be on a MLS Next team because of their birth month and demand this of a club


What's out-of-whack is thinking every soccer parent thinks their kid is going to be a college star. Some parents just want a club they've played at for most of their lives to treat them fairly. Nothing more and if they don't, they'll struggle with their bottom line, because those kids and families will move on as they should.


Clubs have been making decisions forever that pains many entitled parents who think little Chad and Lizzy should get whatever they want because they pay the fees

The clubs are still thriving even after you left

By fairly, you mean in your favor to your liking


Clubs thriving? In the time I've watched this space, I've seen plenty of clubs go out of business or have to merge with others. I guess you missed all that. Ignore market forces at your peril.


You're claiming normal market behavior as a feather in your argument cap?

Banks fail, merge
Software companies fail, merge
Hospitals fail, merge
Airlines fail, merge

Nothing you say will make your kid playing up a reality if they're not good enough to do so. Which they're obviously not or you wouldn't be politicking for same grade teams

If Aug birthdays aren't good enough for the correct grade A team welcome to the correct grade B team. Pretty simple
Except you would have to find a team willing to break their own rules to let a non star to play up if it exists. Or find a team to play on age

That makes no sense. The B team is players not good enough for the A team.


We'll be soon seeing a TON of B team players from Aug-Dec born join A teams. Bank on it!


Their B team skills gonna improve overnight?


Not the poster you are replying to, but yes they will improve RELATIVELY overnight when matched against the different age cohort. If you can't see this, I don't know what to tell you (yes the magnitude of course it depends on the specific age group)
Amen. True dat, elitists can't see the obvious.

So conversely Aug birthday players playing down will automatically get worse when playing with grade down cohorts.
Your confusing age with grades again. Grades aren't a thing in club soccer.

Last time I checked ECNL posts players graduation year on their profiles. I wonder why they would do that? Its almost like grade in scholl matters for something. What could it be?


It's so college coaches know when to expect them on campus.

So grade in school does matter and its because college recruiters use it to assess players.

Wouldn't want to be the one player playing down on a team with kids a grade below them. Easy way for recruiters to instant reject players.


Yes, because the recruiter sees the high quality of their current play, sees their strong potential for future play but decides not to recruit because of school grade


Here's the thing that's happening. These players wouldn't even be before the recruiter if they stay on grade on a B team, because the A team is just that good. And yet they have a chance with the A team on age OR it's a position issue. Sure, some coaches may not consider out of hand I guess, but on a lot of clubs the B teams don't get that kind of exposure period -- on the A teams. The A teams are the ones on the platform, get the travel to the big events. It's at least a foot in the door.

Another reason to group by grade as early as possible so correct grade B team players can move up to the correct grade A team when young.


Are you talking about Rec soccer?

Because you can't be this far detached from the realities of Travel Club soccer
Anonymous
Post 12/16/2025 14:16     Subject: Trapped/Re-aging Families, How are you having the conversation?

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:
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:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:G2016 was speaking with another parent this weekend about the BY the SY change. He said its weird. I asked why he thinks its weird. He said my kid is an August birthday. I said wouldn't that make your kid the oldest on a SY team? My kid is a july birthday shes screwed. He said its weird that my daughter would be playing on a team with players that are a year behind her in school. I said if you think that it's weird just tell your club that you're not paying unless shes on a team with players her grade.

Interesting exchange you could tell he instinctively knew that playing down was an issue. But he couldnt figure out why. His oldest is being recruited for swimming right so Im sure he'll put the pieces together reguarding his youngest and playing on the correct grade team.
In summary, you finally met someone with an child with an August birthday but couldn't convince them that they should kick and scream to have their kid to play up because they are special, not based on skill but because they are special. And this person didn't buy it. That would check out

I'm the person that wrote this.

I was just trying to listen to see what they were thinking. I thought it was interesting to hear their perspective. I specifically thought it was interesting that they thought it was weird for their kid to play down on a team with younger grade in school players.

You seem to have issues.
Not believable. They didn't have a problem with their daughter playing on age, just thought it was a little odd, and then you told them to go to the club and demand that they allow the girl to play up an age group. That isn't just listening.

Maybe, but the word they used was "weird" not "a little odd" and I know this guy he's 100% into his older kid getting recruited to swim in college. He said weird because playing down a grade goes against everything he's researched for his older kid. I did tell him to tell the club if he wants his kid to play with their grade. He pays the bills. You dont have to be in a weird situation just because some coach wants a big kid on their g2016 team.


The travel club doesn't care about a kids grade

Only their age and skills

That is where you're wrong.

Parents foot the bill so its up to them to protect their Aug birthday kids from being exploited by clubs/coaches playing down for short term wins vs playing with their grade for long term development and college recruiting.


If I'm a coach, no parent can tell me to take their kid to play up on my team if they lack the quality just because of school grade
Yeah, some parents may get their moronic request to play up. Then the coach doesn't play the kid so the kid quits.

Only the dumb parents ask for their kid to play up if they aren't ready and it has nothing to do with grades.

Hahaha nobody ever since the beginning of time has ever had an issue with players asking to play with players their grade.

Nice try though.
Coaches and teams absolutely hold it against kids when parents ask for special treatment.

So special treatment is asking to play with kids in your grade?

You are insane.


No serious coach or club will entertain a request for a player to play up if that player doesn't have the quality to do so.
None

Every club will let a player play with kids their grade if they're an August birthday and a grade older.

No club is going to force a player to participate in a way that is against what they want to do.

Again, nice try though.


This is where rubber meets road. Kids will just quit if you force them into a situation they don't want. It's not worth the time OR money, especially if it means joining a new team after playing with the same people for years.

What is unfortunate is this transition is going to put people into situations that won't give them good choices. Older players who want to play up to stay on grade may have to see less playing time or drop to a lower team VS. joining a team with a bunch of people they really don't know/perhaps less experienced/skilled who might resent the playing time THEY take as a stronger player. I mean, maybe some good life lessons here BUT this is why, IMO, they should have phased in the switch with younger teams first and left the HS ages alone.


People talk like this is Kindergarten social groups play-dates

Tell your kid this is how the real world works and what they will face as adults

The cutoff has changed to 8/1 and this is your new age group.
Go to training and put in the work or be a quitter


Yep, and clubs will have to face the adult reality of fewer customers if they manage things poorly.


Your sense of entitlement has removed all objective logical reality from your mind

Imagine seriously thinking your kid should be on a MLS Next team because of their birth month and demand this of a club


What's out-of-whack is thinking every soccer parent thinks their kid is going to be a college star. Some parents just want a club they've played at for most of their lives to treat them fairly. Nothing more and if they don't, they'll struggle with their bottom line, because those kids and families will move on as they should.


Clubs have been making decisions forever that pains many entitled parents who think little Chad and Lizzy should get whatever they want because they pay the fees

The clubs are still thriving even after you left

By fairly, you mean in your favor to your liking


Clubs thriving? In the time I've watched this space, I've seen plenty of clubs go out of business or have to merge with others. I guess you missed all that. Ignore market forces at your peril.


You're claiming normal market behavior as a feather in your argument cap?

Banks fail, merge
Software companies fail, merge
Hospitals fail, merge
Airlines fail, merge

Nothing you say will make your kid playing up a reality if they're not good enough to do so. Which they're obviously not or you wouldn't be politicking for same grade teams

If Aug birthdays aren't good enough for the correct grade A team welcome to the correct grade B team. Pretty simple
Except you would have to find a team willing to break their own rules to let a non star to play up if it exists. Or find a team to play on age

That makes no sense. The B team is players not good enough for the A team.


We'll be soon seeing a TON of B team players from Aug-Dec born join A teams. Bank on it!


Their B team skills gonna improve overnight?


Not the poster you are replying to, but yes they will improve RELATIVELY overnight when matched against the different age cohort. If you can't see this, I don't know what to tell you (yes the magnitude of course it depends on the specific age group)
Amen. True dat, elitists can't see the obvious.

So conversely Aug birthday players playing down will automatically get worse when playing with grade down cohorts.
Your confusing age with grades again. Grades aren't a thing in club soccer.

Last time I checked ECNL posts players graduation year on their profiles. I wonder why they would do that? Its almost like grade in scholl matters for something. What could it be?


It's so college coaches know when to expect them on campus.

So grade in school does matter and its because college recruiters use it to assess players.

Wouldn't want to be the one player playing down on a team with kids a grade below them. Easy way for recruiters to instant reject players.


Yes, because the recruiter sees the high quality of their current play, sees their strong potential for future play but decides not to recruit because of school grade


Here's the thing that's happening. These players wouldn't even be before the recruiter if they stay on grade on a B team, because the A team is just that good. And yet they have a chance with the A team on age OR it's a position issue. Sure, some coaches may not consider out of hand I guess, but on a lot of clubs the B teams don't get that kind of exposure period -- on the A teams. The A teams are the ones on the platform, get the travel to the big events. It's at least a foot in the door.

Another reason to group by grade as early as possible so correct grade B team players can move up to the correct grade A team when young.


Don't be for GY -- Grade is too slippery.
Anonymous
Post 12/16/2025 14:15     Subject: Trapped/Re-aging Families, How are you having the conversation?

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:
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:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:G2016 was speaking with another parent this weekend about the BY the SY change. He said its weird. I asked why he thinks its weird. He said my kid is an August birthday. I said wouldn't that make your kid the oldest on a SY team? My kid is a july birthday shes screwed. He said its weird that my daughter would be playing on a team with players that are a year behind her in school. I said if you think that it's weird just tell your club that you're not paying unless shes on a team with players her grade.

Interesting exchange you could tell he instinctively knew that playing down was an issue. But he couldnt figure out why. His oldest is being recruited for swimming right so Im sure he'll put the pieces together reguarding his youngest and playing on the correct grade team.
In summary, you finally met someone with an child with an August birthday but couldn't convince them that they should kick and scream to have their kid to play up because they are special, not based on skill but because they are special. And this person didn't buy it. That would check out

I'm the person that wrote this.

I was just trying to listen to see what they were thinking. I thought it was interesting to hear their perspective. I specifically thought it was interesting that they thought it was weird for their kid to play down on a team with younger grade in school players.

You seem to have issues.
Not believable. They didn't have a problem with their daughter playing on age, just thought it was a little odd, and then you told them to go to the club and demand that they allow the girl to play up an age group. That isn't just listening.

Maybe, but the word they used was "weird" not "a little odd" and I know this guy he's 100% into his older kid getting recruited to swim in college. He said weird because playing down a grade goes against everything he's researched for his older kid. I did tell him to tell the club if he wants his kid to play with their grade. He pays the bills. You dont have to be in a weird situation just because some coach wants a big kid on their g2016 team.


The travel club doesn't care about a kids grade

Only their age and skills

That is where you're wrong.

Parents foot the bill so its up to them to protect their Aug birthday kids from being exploited by clubs/coaches playing down for short term wins vs playing with their grade for long term development and college recruiting.


If I'm a coach, no parent can tell me to take their kid to play up on my team if they lack the quality just because of school grade
Yeah, some parents may get their moronic request to play up. Then the coach doesn't play the kid so the kid quits.

Only the dumb parents ask for their kid to play up if they aren't ready and it has nothing to do with grades.

Hahaha nobody ever since the beginning of time has ever had an issue with players asking to play with players their grade.

Nice try though.
Coaches and teams absolutely hold it against kids when parents ask for special treatment.

So special treatment is asking to play with kids in your grade?

You are insane.


No serious coach or club will entertain a request for a player to play up if that player doesn't have the quality to do so.
None

Every club will let a player play with kids their grade if they're an August birthday and a grade older.

No club is going to force a player to participate in a way that is against what they want to do.

Again, nice try though.


This is where rubber meets road. Kids will just quit if you force them into a situation they don't want. It's not worth the time OR money, especially if it means joining a new team after playing with the same people for years.

What is unfortunate is this transition is going to put people into situations that won't give them good choices. Older players who want to play up to stay on grade may have to see less playing time or drop to a lower team VS. joining a team with a bunch of people they really don't know/perhaps less experienced/skilled who might resent the playing time THEY take as a stronger player. I mean, maybe some good life lessons here BUT this is why, IMO, they should have phased in the switch with younger teams first and left the HS ages alone.


People talk like this is Kindergarten social groups play-dates

Tell your kid this is how the real world works and what they will face as adults

The cutoff has changed to 8/1 and this is your new age group.
Go to training and put in the work or be a quitter


Yep, and clubs will have to face the adult reality of fewer customers if they manage things poorly.


Your sense of entitlement has removed all objective logical reality from your mind

Imagine seriously thinking your kid should be on a MLS Next team because of their birth month and demand this of a club


What's out-of-whack is thinking every soccer parent thinks their kid is going to be a college star. Some parents just want a club they've played at for most of their lives to treat them fairly. Nothing more and if they don't, they'll struggle with their bottom line, because those kids and families will move on as they should.


Clubs have been making decisions forever that pains many entitled parents who think little Chad and Lizzy should get whatever they want because they pay the fees

The clubs are still thriving even after you left

By fairly, you mean in your favor to your liking


Clubs thriving? In the time I've watched this space, I've seen plenty of clubs go out of business or have to merge with others. I guess you missed all that. Ignore market forces at your peril.


You're claiming normal market behavior as a feather in your argument cap?

Banks fail, merge
Software companies fail, merge
Hospitals fail, merge
Airlines fail, merge

Nothing you say will make your kid playing up a reality if they're not good enough to do so. Which they're obviously not or you wouldn't be politicking for same grade teams

If Aug birthdays aren't good enough for the correct grade A team welcome to the correct grade B team. Pretty simple
Except you would have to find a team willing to break their own rules to let a non star to play up if it exists. Or find a team to play on age

That makes no sense. The B team is players not good enough for the A team.


We'll be soon seeing a TON of B team players from Aug-Dec born join A teams. Bank on it!


Their B team skills gonna improve overnight?


Not the poster you are replying to, but yes they will improve RELATIVELY overnight when matched against the different age cohort. If you can't see this, I don't know what to tell you (yes the magnitude of course it depends on the specific age group)
Amen. True dat, elitists can't see the obvious.

So conversely Aug birthday players playing down will automatically get worse when playing with grade down cohorts.
Your confusing age with grades again. Grades aren't a thing in club soccer.

Last time I checked ECNL posts players graduation year on their profiles. I wonder why they would do that? Its almost like grade in scholl matters for something. What could it be?


It's so college coaches know when to expect them on campus.

So grade in school does matter and its because college recruiters use it to assess players.

Wouldn't want to be the one player playing down on a team with kids a grade below them. Easy way for recruiters to instant reject players.


Yes, because the recruiter sees the high quality of their current play, sees their strong potential for future play but decides not to recruit because of school grade


Here's the thing that's happening. These players wouldn't even be before the recruiter if they stay on grade on a B team, because the A team is just that good. And yet they have a chance with the A team on age OR it's a position issue. Sure, some coaches may not consider out of hand I guess, but on a lot of clubs the B teams don't get that kind of exposure period -- on the A teams. The A teams are the ones on the platform, get the travel to the big events. It's at least a foot in the door.

Another reason to group by grade as early as possible so correct grade B team players can move up to the correct grade A team when young.


That doesn't happen for everyone. In fact, you'll have more of those players quit (with a few outliers who overcome a succeed) Some players take time and have a better chance at developing if they stay with their age.
Anonymous
Post 12/16/2025 14:13     Subject: Trapped/Re-aging Families, How are you having the conversation?

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:
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:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:G2016 was speaking with another parent this weekend about the BY the SY change. He said its weird. I asked why he thinks its weird. He said my kid is an August birthday. I said wouldn't that make your kid the oldest on a SY team? My kid is a july birthday shes screwed. He said its weird that my daughter would be playing on a team with players that are a year behind her in school. I said if you think that it's weird just tell your club that you're not paying unless shes on a team with players her grade.

Interesting exchange you could tell he instinctively knew that playing down was an issue. But he couldnt figure out why. His oldest is being recruited for swimming right so Im sure he'll put the pieces together reguarding his youngest and playing on the correct grade team.
In summary, you finally met someone with an child with an August birthday but couldn't convince them that they should kick and scream to have their kid to play up because they are special, not based on skill but because they are special. And this person didn't buy it. That would check out

I'm the person that wrote this.

I was just trying to listen to see what they were thinking. I thought it was interesting to hear their perspective. I specifically thought it was interesting that they thought it was weird for their kid to play down on a team with younger grade in school players.

You seem to have issues.
Not believable. They didn't have a problem with their daughter playing on age, just thought it was a little odd, and then you told them to go to the club and demand that they allow the girl to play up an age group. That isn't just listening.

Maybe, but the word they used was "weird" not "a little odd" and I know this guy he's 100% into his older kid getting recruited to swim in college. He said weird because playing down a grade goes against everything he's researched for his older kid. I did tell him to tell the club if he wants his kid to play with their grade. He pays the bills. You dont have to be in a weird situation just because some coach wants a big kid on their g2016 team.


The travel club doesn't care about a kids grade

Only their age and skills

That is where you're wrong.

Parents foot the bill so its up to them to protect their Aug birthday kids from being exploited by clubs/coaches playing down for short term wins vs playing with their grade for long term development and college recruiting.


If I'm a coach, no parent can tell me to take their kid to play up on my team if they lack the quality just because of school grade
Yeah, some parents may get their moronic request to play up. Then the coach doesn't play the kid so the kid quits.

Only the dumb parents ask for their kid to play up if they aren't ready and it has nothing to do with grades.

Hahaha nobody ever since the beginning of time has ever had an issue with players asking to play with players their grade.

Nice try though.
Coaches and teams absolutely hold it against kids when parents ask for special treatment.

So special treatment is asking to play with kids in your grade?

You are insane.


No serious coach or club will entertain a request for a player to play up if that player doesn't have the quality to do so.
None

Every club will let a player play with kids their grade if they're an August birthday and a grade older.

No club is going to force a player to participate in a way that is against what they want to do.

Again, nice try though.


This is where rubber meets road. Kids will just quit if you force them into a situation they don't want. It's not worth the time OR money, especially if it means joining a new team after playing with the same people for years.

What is unfortunate is this transition is going to put people into situations that won't give them good choices. Older players who want to play up to stay on grade may have to see less playing time or drop to a lower team VS. joining a team with a bunch of people they really don't know/perhaps less experienced/skilled who might resent the playing time THEY take as a stronger player. I mean, maybe some good life lessons here BUT this is why, IMO, they should have phased in the switch with younger teams first and left the HS ages alone.


People talk like this is Kindergarten social groups play-dates

Tell your kid this is how the real world works and what they will face as adults

The cutoff has changed to 8/1 and this is your new age group.
Go to training and put in the work or be a quitter


Yep, and clubs will have to face the adult reality of fewer customers if they manage things poorly.


Your sense of entitlement has removed all objective logical reality from your mind

Imagine seriously thinking your kid should be on a MLS Next team because of their birth month and demand this of a club


What's out-of-whack is thinking every soccer parent thinks their kid is going to be a college star. Some parents just want a club they've played at for most of their lives to treat them fairly. Nothing more and if they don't, they'll struggle with their bottom line, because those kids and families will move on as they should.


Clubs have been making decisions forever that pains many entitled parents who think little Chad and Lizzy should get whatever they want because they pay the fees

The clubs are still thriving even after you left

By fairly, you mean in your favor to your liking


Clubs thriving? In the time I've watched this space, I've seen plenty of clubs go out of business or have to merge with others. I guess you missed all that. Ignore market forces at your peril.


You're claiming normal market behavior as a feather in your argument cap?

Banks fail, merge
Software companies fail, merge
Hospitals fail, merge
Airlines fail, merge

Nothing you say will make your kid playing up a reality if they're not good enough to do so. Which they're obviously not or you wouldn't be politicking for same grade teams

If Aug birthdays aren't good enough for the correct grade A team welcome to the correct grade B team. Pretty simple
Except you would have to find a team willing to break their own rules to let a non star to play up if it exists. Or find a team to play on age

That makes no sense. The B team is players not good enough for the A team.


We'll be soon seeing a TON of B team players from Aug-Dec born join A teams. Bank on it!


Their B team skills gonna improve overnight?


Not the poster you are replying to, but yes they will improve RELATIVELY overnight when matched against the different age cohort. If you can't see this, I don't know what to tell you (yes the magnitude of course it depends on the specific age group)
Amen. True dat, elitists can't see the obvious.

So conversely Aug birthday players playing down will automatically get worse when playing with grade down cohorts.
Your confusing age with grades again. Grades aren't a thing in club soccer.

Last time I checked ECNL posts players graduation year on their profiles. I wonder why they would do that? Its almost like grade in scholl matters for something. What could it be?


It's so college coaches know when to expect them on campus.

So grade in school does matter and its because college recruiters use it to assess players.

Wouldn't want to be the one player playing down on a team with kids a grade below them. Easy way for recruiters to instant reject players.


Yes, because the recruiter sees the high quality of their current play, sees their strong potential for future play but decides not to recruit because of school grade


Here's the thing that's happening. These players wouldn't even be before the recruiter if they stay on grade on a B team, because the A team is just that good. And yet they have a chance with the A team on age OR it's a position issue. Sure, some coaches may not consider out of hand I guess, but on a lot of clubs the B teams don't get that kind of exposure period -- on the A teams. The A teams are the ones on the platform, get the travel to the big events. It's at least a foot in the door.

Another reason to group by grade as early as possible so correct grade B team players can move up to the correct grade A team when young.
Anonymous
Post 12/16/2025 14:11     Subject: Trapped/Re-aging Families, How are you having the conversation?

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:
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:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:G2016 was speaking with another parent this weekend about the BY the SY change. He said its weird. I asked why he thinks its weird. He said my kid is an August birthday. I said wouldn't that make your kid the oldest on a SY team? My kid is a july birthday shes screwed. He said its weird that my daughter would be playing on a team with players that are a year behind her in school. I said if you think that it's weird just tell your club that you're not paying unless shes on a team with players her grade.

Interesting exchange you could tell he instinctively knew that playing down was an issue. But he couldnt figure out why. His oldest is being recruited for swimming right so Im sure he'll put the pieces together reguarding his youngest and playing on the correct grade team.
In summary, you finally met someone with an child with an August birthday but couldn't convince them that they should kick and scream to have their kid to play up because they are special, not based on skill but because they are special. And this person didn't buy it. That would check out

I'm the person that wrote this.

I was just trying to listen to see what they were thinking. I thought it was interesting to hear their perspective. I specifically thought it was interesting that they thought it was weird for their kid to play down on a team with younger grade in school players.

You seem to have issues.
Not believable. They didn't have a problem with their daughter playing on age, just thought it was a little odd, and then you told them to go to the club and demand that they allow the girl to play up an age group. That isn't just listening.

Maybe, but the word they used was "weird" not "a little odd" and I know this guy he's 100% into his older kid getting recruited to swim in college. He said weird because playing down a grade goes against everything he's researched for his older kid. I did tell him to tell the club if he wants his kid to play with their grade. He pays the bills. You dont have to be in a weird situation just because some coach wants a big kid on their g2016 team.


The travel club doesn't care about a kids grade

Only their age and skills

That is where you're wrong.

Parents foot the bill so its up to them to protect their Aug birthday kids from being exploited by clubs/coaches playing down for short term wins vs playing with their grade for long term development and college recruiting.


If I'm a coach, no parent can tell me to take their kid to play up on my team if they lack the quality just because of school grade
Yeah, some parents may get their moronic request to play up. Then the coach doesn't play the kid so the kid quits.

Only the dumb parents ask for their kid to play up if they aren't ready and it has nothing to do with grades.

Hahaha nobody ever since the beginning of time has ever had an issue with players asking to play with players their grade.

Nice try though.
Coaches and teams absolutely hold it against kids when parents ask for special treatment.

So special treatment is asking to play with kids in your grade?

You are insane.


No serious coach or club will entertain a request for a player to play up if that player doesn't have the quality to do so.
None

Every club will let a player play with kids their grade if they're an August birthday and a grade older.

No club is going to force a player to participate in a way that is against what they want to do.

Again, nice try though.


This is where rubber meets road. Kids will just quit if you force them into a situation they don't want. It's not worth the time OR money, especially if it means joining a new team after playing with the same people for years.

What is unfortunate is this transition is going to put people into situations that won't give them good choices. Older players who want to play up to stay on grade may have to see less playing time or drop to a lower team VS. joining a team with a bunch of people they really don't know/perhaps less experienced/skilled who might resent the playing time THEY take as a stronger player. I mean, maybe some good life lessons here BUT this is why, IMO, they should have phased in the switch with younger teams first and left the HS ages alone.


People talk like this is Kindergarten social groups play-dates

Tell your kid this is how the real world works and what they will face as adults

The cutoff has changed to 8/1 and this is your new age group.
Go to training and put in the work or be a quitter


Yep, and clubs will have to face the adult reality of fewer customers if they manage things poorly.


Your sense of entitlement has removed all objective logical reality from your mind

Imagine seriously thinking your kid should be on a MLS Next team because of their birth month and demand this of a club


What's out-of-whack is thinking every soccer parent thinks their kid is going to be a college star. Some parents just want a club they've played at for most of their lives to treat them fairly. Nothing more and if they don't, they'll struggle with their bottom line, because those kids and families will move on as they should.


Clubs have been making decisions forever that pains many entitled parents who think little Chad and Lizzy should get whatever they want because they pay the fees

The clubs are still thriving even after you left

By fairly, you mean in your favor to your liking


Clubs thriving? In the time I've watched this space, I've seen plenty of clubs go out of business or have to merge with others. I guess you missed all that. Ignore market forces at your peril.


You're claiming normal market behavior as a feather in your argument cap?

Banks fail, merge
Software companies fail, merge
Hospitals fail, merge
Airlines fail, merge

Nothing you say will make your kid playing up a reality if they're not good enough to do so. Which they're obviously not or you wouldn't be politicking for same grade teams

If Aug birthdays aren't good enough for the correct grade A team welcome to the correct grade B team. Pretty simple
Except you would have to find a team willing to break their own rules to let a non star to play up if it exists. Or find a team to play on age

That makes no sense. The B team is players not good enough for the A team.


We'll be soon seeing a TON of B team players from Aug-Dec born join A teams. Bank on it!


Their B team skills gonna improve overnight?


Not the poster you are replying to, but yes they will improve RELATIVELY overnight when matched against the different age cohort. If you can't see this, I don't know what to tell you (yes the magnitude of course it depends on the specific age group)
Amen. True dat, elitists can't see the obvious.

So conversely Aug birthday players playing down will automatically get worse when playing with grade down cohorts.
Your confusing age with grades again. Grades aren't a thing in club soccer.

Last time I checked ECNL posts players graduation year on their profiles. I wonder why they would do that? Its almost like grade in scholl matters for something. What could it be?


It's so college coaches know when to expect them on campus.

So grade in school does matter and its because college recruiters use it to assess players.

Wouldn't want to be the one player playing down on a team with kids a grade below them. Easy way for recruiters to instant reject players.


Yes, because the recruiter sees the high quality of their current play, sees their strong potential for future play but decides not to recruit because of school grade


Here's the thing that's happening. These players wouldn't even be before the recruiter if they stay on grade on a B team, because the A team is just that good. And yet they have a chance with the A team on age OR it's a position issue. Sure, some coaches may not consider out of hand I guess, but on a lot of clubs the B teams don't get that kind of exposure period -- on the A teams. The A teams are the ones on the platform, get the travel to the big events. It's at least a foot in the door.


What do you think "be before the recruiter" means?


Well, if the kid does a highlight reel, attends the ID camp, emails the program, it certainly makes a difference that they are at the showcase and the kid is playing.
Anonymous
Post 12/16/2025 14:08     Subject: Trapped/Re-aging Families, How are you having the conversation?

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:
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:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:G2016 was speaking with another parent this weekend about the BY the SY change. He said its weird. I asked why he thinks its weird. He said my kid is an August birthday. I said wouldn't that make your kid the oldest on a SY team? My kid is a july birthday shes screwed. He said its weird that my daughter would be playing on a team with players that are a year behind her in school. I said if you think that it's weird just tell your club that you're not paying unless shes on a team with players her grade.

Interesting exchange you could tell he instinctively knew that playing down was an issue. But he couldnt figure out why. His oldest is being recruited for swimming right so Im sure he'll put the pieces together reguarding his youngest and playing on the correct grade team.
In summary, you finally met someone with an child with an August birthday but couldn't convince them that they should kick and scream to have their kid to play up because they are special, not based on skill but because they are special. And this person didn't buy it. That would check out

I'm the person that wrote this.

I was just trying to listen to see what they were thinking. I thought it was interesting to hear their perspective. I specifically thought it was interesting that they thought it was weird for their kid to play down on a team with younger grade in school players.

You seem to have issues.
Not believable. They didn't have a problem with their daughter playing on age, just thought it was a little odd, and then you told them to go to the club and demand that they allow the girl to play up an age group. That isn't just listening.

Maybe, but the word they used was "weird" not "a little odd" and I know this guy he's 100% into his older kid getting recruited to swim in college. He said weird because playing down a grade goes against everything he's researched for his older kid. I did tell him to tell the club if he wants his kid to play with their grade. He pays the bills. You dont have to be in a weird situation just because some coach wants a big kid on their g2016 team.


The travel club doesn't care about a kids grade

Only their age and skills

That is where you're wrong.

Parents foot the bill so its up to them to protect their Aug birthday kids from being exploited by clubs/coaches playing down for short term wins vs playing with their grade for long term development and college recruiting.


If I'm a coach, no parent can tell me to take their kid to play up on my team if they lack the quality just because of school grade
Yeah, some parents may get their moronic request to play up. Then the coach doesn't play the kid so the kid quits.

Only the dumb parents ask for their kid to play up if they aren't ready and it has nothing to do with grades.

Hahaha nobody ever since the beginning of time has ever had an issue with players asking to play with players their grade.

Nice try though.
Coaches and teams absolutely hold it against kids when parents ask for special treatment.

So special treatment is asking to play with kids in your grade?

You are insane.


No serious coach or club will entertain a request for a player to play up if that player doesn't have the quality to do so.
None

Every club will let a player play with kids their grade if they're an August birthday and a grade older.

No club is going to force a player to participate in a way that is against what they want to do.

Again, nice try though.


This is where rubber meets road. Kids will just quit if you force them into a situation they don't want. It's not worth the time OR money, especially if it means joining a new team after playing with the same people for years.

What is unfortunate is this transition is going to put people into situations that won't give them good choices. Older players who want to play up to stay on grade may have to see less playing time or drop to a lower team VS. joining a team with a bunch of people they really don't know/perhaps less experienced/skilled who might resent the playing time THEY take as a stronger player. I mean, maybe some good life lessons here BUT this is why, IMO, they should have phased in the switch with younger teams first and left the HS ages alone.


People talk like this is Kindergarten social groups play-dates

Tell your kid this is how the real world works and what they will face as adults

The cutoff has changed to 8/1 and this is your new age group.
Go to training and put in the work or be a quitter


Yep, and clubs will have to face the adult reality of fewer customers if they manage things poorly.


Your sense of entitlement has removed all objective logical reality from your mind

Imagine seriously thinking your kid should be on a MLS Next team because of their birth month and demand this of a club


What's out-of-whack is thinking every soccer parent thinks their kid is going to be a college star. Some parents just want a club they've played at for most of their lives to treat them fairly. Nothing more and if they don't, they'll struggle with their bottom line, because those kids and families will move on as they should.


Clubs have been making decisions forever that pains many entitled parents who think little Chad and Lizzy should get whatever they want because they pay the fees

The clubs are still thriving even after you left

By fairly, you mean in your favor to your liking


Clubs thriving? In the time I've watched this space, I've seen plenty of clubs go out of business or have to merge with others. I guess you missed all that. Ignore market forces at your peril.


You're claiming normal market behavior as a feather in your argument cap?

Banks fail, merge
Software companies fail, merge
Hospitals fail, merge
Airlines fail, merge

Nothing you say will make your kid playing up a reality if they're not good enough to do so. Which they're obviously not or you wouldn't be politicking for same grade teams

If Aug birthdays aren't good enough for the correct grade A team welcome to the correct grade B team. Pretty simple
Except you would have to find a team willing to break their own rules to let a non star to play up if it exists. Or find a team to play on age

That makes no sense. The B team is players not good enough for the A team.


We'll be soon seeing a TON of B team players from Aug-Dec born join A teams. Bank on it!


Their B team skills gonna improve overnight?


Not the poster you are replying to, but yes they will improve RELATIVELY overnight when matched against the different age cohort. If you can't see this, I don't know what to tell you (yes the magnitude of course it depends on the specific age group)
Amen. True dat, elitists can't see the obvious.

So conversely Aug birthday players playing down will automatically get worse when playing with grade down cohorts.
Your confusing age with grades again. Grades aren't a thing in club soccer.

Last time I checked ECNL posts players graduation year on their profiles. I wonder why they would do that? Its almost like grade in scholl matters for something. What could it be?


It's so college coaches know when to expect them on campus.

So grade in school does matter and its because college recruiters use it to assess players.

Wouldn't want to be the one player playing down on a team with kids a grade below them. Easy way for recruiters to instant reject players.


Yes, because the recruiter sees the high quality of their current play, sees their strong potential for future play but decides not to recruit because of school grade


Here's the thing that's happening. These players wouldn't even be before the recruiter if they stay on grade on a B team, because the A team is just that good. And yet they have a chance with the A team on age OR it's a position issue. Sure, some coaches may not consider out of hand I guess, but on a lot of clubs the B teams don't get that kind of exposure period -- on the A teams. The A teams are the ones on the platform, get the travel to the big events. It's at least a foot in the door.


What do you think "be before the recruiter" means?
Anonymous
Post 12/16/2025 14:07     Subject: Trapped/Re-aging Families, How are you having the conversation?

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:
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:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:G2016 was speaking with another parent this weekend about the BY the SY change. He said its weird. I asked why he thinks its weird. He said my kid is an August birthday. I said wouldn't that make your kid the oldest on a SY team? My kid is a july birthday shes screwed. He said its weird that my daughter would be playing on a team with players that are a year behind her in school. I said if you think that it's weird just tell your club that you're not paying unless shes on a team with players her grade.

Interesting exchange you could tell he instinctively knew that playing down was an issue. But he couldnt figure out why. His oldest is being recruited for swimming right so Im sure he'll put the pieces together reguarding his youngest and playing on the correct grade team.
In summary, you finally met someone with an child with an August birthday but couldn't convince them that they should kick and scream to have their kid to play up because they are special, not based on skill but because they are special. And this person didn't buy it. That would check out

I'm the person that wrote this.

I was just trying to listen to see what they were thinking. I thought it was interesting to hear their perspective. I specifically thought it was interesting that they thought it was weird for their kid to play down on a team with younger grade in school players.

You seem to have issues.
Not believable. They didn't have a problem with their daughter playing on age, just thought it was a little odd, and then you told them to go to the club and demand that they allow the girl to play up an age group. That isn't just listening.

Maybe, but the word they used was "weird" not "a little odd" and I know this guy he's 100% into his older kid getting recruited to swim in college. He said weird because playing down a grade goes against everything he's researched for his older kid. I did tell him to tell the club if he wants his kid to play with their grade. He pays the bills. You dont have to be in a weird situation just because some coach wants a big kid on their g2016 team.


The travel club doesn't care about a kids grade

Only their age and skills

That is where you're wrong.

Parents foot the bill so its up to them to protect their Aug birthday kids from being exploited by clubs/coaches playing down for short term wins vs playing with their grade for long term development and college recruiting.


If I'm a coach, no parent can tell me to take their kid to play up on my team if they lack the quality just because of school grade
Yeah, some parents may get their moronic request to play up. Then the coach doesn't play the kid so the kid quits.

Only the dumb parents ask for their kid to play up if they aren't ready and it has nothing to do with grades.

Hahaha nobody ever since the beginning of time has ever had an issue with players asking to play with players their grade.

Nice try though.
Coaches and teams absolutely hold it against kids when parents ask for special treatment.

So special treatment is asking to play with kids in your grade?

You are insane.


No serious coach or club will entertain a request for a player to play up if that player doesn't have the quality to do so.
None

Every club will let a player play with kids their grade if they're an August birthday and a grade older.

No club is going to force a player to participate in a way that is against what they want to do.

Again, nice try though.


This is where rubber meets road. Kids will just quit if you force them into a situation they don't want. It's not worth the time OR money, especially if it means joining a new team after playing with the same people for years.

What is unfortunate is this transition is going to put people into situations that won't give them good choices. Older players who want to play up to stay on grade may have to see less playing time or drop to a lower team VS. joining a team with a bunch of people they really don't know/perhaps less experienced/skilled who might resent the playing time THEY take as a stronger player. I mean, maybe some good life lessons here BUT this is why, IMO, they should have phased in the switch with younger teams first and left the HS ages alone.


People talk like this is Kindergarten social groups play-dates

Tell your kid this is how the real world works and what they will face as adults

The cutoff has changed to 8/1 and this is your new age group.
Go to training and put in the work or be a quitter


Yep, and clubs will have to face the adult reality of fewer customers if they manage things poorly.


Your sense of entitlement has removed all objective logical reality from your mind

Imagine seriously thinking your kid should be on a MLS Next team because of their birth month and demand this of a club


What's out-of-whack is thinking every soccer parent thinks their kid is going to be a college star. Some parents just want a club they've played at for most of their lives to treat them fairly. Nothing more and if they don't, they'll struggle with their bottom line, because those kids and families will move on as they should.


Clubs have been making decisions forever that pains many entitled parents who think little Chad and Lizzy should get whatever they want because they pay the fees

The clubs are still thriving even after you left

By fairly, you mean in your favor to your liking


Clubs thriving? In the time I've watched this space, I've seen plenty of clubs go out of business or have to merge with others. I guess you missed all that. Ignore market forces at your peril.


You're claiming normal market behavior as a feather in your argument cap?

Banks fail, merge
Software companies fail, merge
Hospitals fail, merge
Airlines fail, merge

Nothing you say will make your kid playing up a reality if they're not good enough to do so. Which they're obviously not or you wouldn't be politicking for same grade teams

If Aug birthdays aren't good enough for the correct grade A team welcome to the correct grade B team. Pretty simple
Except you would have to find a team willing to break their own rules to let a non star to play up if it exists. Or find a team to play on age

That makes no sense. The B team is players not good enough for the A team.


We'll be soon seeing a TON of B team players from Aug-Dec born join A teams. Bank on it!


Their B team skills gonna improve overnight?


Not the poster you are replying to, but yes they will improve RELATIVELY overnight when matched against the different age cohort. If you can't see this, I don't know what to tell you (yes the magnitude of course it depends on the specific age group)
Amen. True dat, elitists can't see the obvious.

So conversely Aug birthday players playing down will automatically get worse when playing with grade down cohorts.
Your confusing age with grades again. Grades aren't a thing in club soccer.

Last time I checked ECNL posts players graduation year on their profiles. I wonder why they would do that? Its almost like grade in scholl matters for something. What could it be?


It's so college coaches know when to expect them on campus.

So grade in school does matter and its because college recruiters use it to assess players.

Wouldn't want to be the one player playing down on a team with kids a grade below them. Easy way for recruiters to instant reject players.


Yes, because the recruiter sees the high quality of their current play, sees their strong potential for future play but decides not to recruit because of school grade


Here's the thing that's happening. These players wouldn't even be before the recruiter if they stay on grade on a B team, because the A team is just that good. And yet they have a chance with the A team on age OR it's a position issue. Sure, some coaches may not consider out of hand I guess, but on a lot of clubs the B teams don't get that kind of exposure period -- on the A teams. The A teams are the ones on the platform, get the travel to the big events. It's at least a foot in the door.


Colleges recruit individuals. Not teams.
Anonymous
Post 12/16/2025 14:06     Subject: Trapped/Re-aging Families, How are you having the conversation?

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:
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:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:G2016 was speaking with another parent this weekend about the BY the SY change. He said its weird. I asked why he thinks its weird. He said my kid is an August birthday. I said wouldn't that make your kid the oldest on a SY team? My kid is a july birthday shes screwed. He said its weird that my daughter would be playing on a team with players that are a year behind her in school. I said if you think that it's weird just tell your club that you're not paying unless shes on a team with players her grade.

Interesting exchange you could tell he instinctively knew that playing down was an issue. But he couldnt figure out why. His oldest is being recruited for swimming right so Im sure he'll put the pieces together reguarding his youngest and playing on the correct grade team.
In summary, you finally met someone with an child with an August birthday but couldn't convince them that they should kick and scream to have their kid to play up because they are special, not based on skill but because they are special. And this person didn't buy it. That would check out

I'm the person that wrote this.

I was just trying to listen to see what they were thinking. I thought it was interesting to hear their perspective. I specifically thought it was interesting that they thought it was weird for their kid to play down on a team with younger grade in school players.

You seem to have issues.
Not believable. They didn't have a problem with their daughter playing on age, just thought it was a little odd, and then you told them to go to the club and demand that they allow the girl to play up an age group. That isn't just listening.

Maybe, but the word they used was "weird" not "a little odd" and I know this guy he's 100% into his older kid getting recruited to swim in college. He said weird because playing down a grade goes against everything he's researched for his older kid. I did tell him to tell the club if he wants his kid to play with their grade. He pays the bills. You dont have to be in a weird situation just because some coach wants a big kid on their g2016 team.


The travel club doesn't care about a kids grade

Only their age and skills

That is where you're wrong.

Parents foot the bill so its up to them to protect their Aug birthday kids from being exploited by clubs/coaches playing down for short term wins vs playing with their grade for long term development and college recruiting.


If I'm a coach, no parent can tell me to take their kid to play up on my team if they lack the quality just because of school grade
Yeah, some parents may get their moronic request to play up. Then the coach doesn't play the kid so the kid quits.

Only the dumb parents ask for their kid to play up if they aren't ready and it has nothing to do with grades.

Hahaha nobody ever since the beginning of time has ever had an issue with players asking to play with players their grade.

Nice try though.
Coaches and teams absolutely hold it against kids when parents ask for special treatment.

So special treatment is asking to play with kids in your grade?

You are insane.


No serious coach or club will entertain a request for a player to play up if that player doesn't have the quality to do so.
None

Every club will let a player play with kids their grade if they're an August birthday and a grade older.

No club is going to force a player to participate in a way that is against what they want to do.

Again, nice try though.


This is where rubber meets road. Kids will just quit if you force them into a situation they don't want. It's not worth the time OR money, especially if it means joining a new team after playing with the same people for years.

What is unfortunate is this transition is going to put people into situations that won't give them good choices. Older players who want to play up to stay on grade may have to see less playing time or drop to a lower team VS. joining a team with a bunch of people they really don't know/perhaps less experienced/skilled who might resent the playing time THEY take as a stronger player. I mean, maybe some good life lessons here BUT this is why, IMO, they should have phased in the switch with younger teams first and left the HS ages alone.


People talk like this is Kindergarten social groups play-dates

Tell your kid this is how the real world works and what they will face as adults

The cutoff has changed to 8/1 and this is your new age group.
Go to training and put in the work or be a quitter


Yep, and clubs will have to face the adult reality of fewer customers if they manage things poorly.


Your sense of entitlement has removed all objective logical reality from your mind

Imagine seriously thinking your kid should be on a MLS Next team because of their birth month and demand this of a club


What's out-of-whack is thinking every soccer parent thinks their kid is going to be a college star. Some parents just want a club they've played at for most of their lives to treat them fairly. Nothing more and if they don't, they'll struggle with their bottom line, because those kids and families will move on as they should.


Clubs have been making decisions forever that pains many entitled parents who think little Chad and Lizzy should get whatever they want because they pay the fees

The clubs are still thriving even after you left

By fairly, you mean in your favor to your liking


Clubs thriving? In the time I've watched this space, I've seen plenty of clubs go out of business or have to merge with others. I guess you missed all that. Ignore market forces at your peril.


You're claiming normal market behavior as a feather in your argument cap?

Banks fail, merge
Software companies fail, merge
Hospitals fail, merge
Airlines fail, merge

Nothing you say will make your kid playing up a reality if they're not good enough to do so. Which they're obviously not or you wouldn't be politicking for same grade teams

If Aug birthdays aren't good enough for the correct grade A team welcome to the correct grade B team. Pretty simple
Except you would have to find a team willing to break their own rules to let a non star to play up if it exists. Or find a team to play on age

That makes no sense. The B team is players not good enough for the A team.


We'll be soon seeing a TON of B team players from Aug-Dec born join A teams. Bank on it!


Their B team skills gonna improve overnight?


Not the poster you are replying to, but yes they will improve RELATIVELY overnight when matched against the different age cohort. If you can't see this, I don't know what to tell you (yes the magnitude of course it depends on the specific age group)
Amen. True dat, elitists can't see the obvious.

So conversely Aug birthday players playing down will automatically get worse when playing with grade down cohorts.
Your confusing age with grades again. Grades aren't a thing in club soccer.

Last time I checked ECNL posts players graduation year on their profiles. I wonder why they would do that? Its almost like grade in scholl matters for something. What could it be?


It's so college coaches know when to expect them on campus.

So grade in school does matter and its because college recruiters use it to assess players.

Wouldn't want to be the one player playing down on a team with kids a grade below them. Easy way for recruiters to instant reject players.


Yes, because the recruiter sees the high quality of their current play, sees their strong potential for future play but decides not to recruit because of school grade


Here's the thing that's happening. These players wouldn't even be before the recruiter if they stay on grade on a B team, because the A team is just that good. And yet they have a chance with the A team on age OR it's a position issue. Sure, some coaches may not consider out of hand I guess, but on a lot of clubs the B teams don't get that kind of exposure period -- on the A teams. The A teams are the ones on the platform, get the travel to the big events. It's at least a foot in the door.
A team all the way. Besides teams want you to play in your correct age group not up if you can't make the A team one age group up anyway.
Anonymous
Post 12/16/2025 14:03     Subject: Trapped/Re-aging Families, How are you having the conversation?

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:
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:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:G2016 was speaking with another parent this weekend about the BY the SY change. He said its weird. I asked why he thinks its weird. He said my kid is an August birthday. I said wouldn't that make your kid the oldest on a SY team? My kid is a july birthday shes screwed. He said its weird that my daughter would be playing on a team with players that are a year behind her in school. I said if you think that it's weird just tell your club that you're not paying unless shes on a team with players her grade.

Interesting exchange you could tell he instinctively knew that playing down was an issue. But he couldnt figure out why. His oldest is being recruited for swimming right so Im sure he'll put the pieces together reguarding his youngest and playing on the correct grade team.
In summary, you finally met someone with an child with an August birthday but couldn't convince them that they should kick and scream to have their kid to play up because they are special, not based on skill but because they are special. And this person didn't buy it. That would check out

I'm the person that wrote this.

I was just trying to listen to see what they were thinking. I thought it was interesting to hear their perspective. I specifically thought it was interesting that they thought it was weird for their kid to play down on a team with younger grade in school players.

You seem to have issues.
Not believable. They didn't have a problem with their daughter playing on age, just thought it was a little odd, and then you told them to go to the club and demand that they allow the girl to play up an age group. That isn't just listening.

Maybe, but the word they used was "weird" not "a little odd" and I know this guy he's 100% into his older kid getting recruited to swim in college. He said weird because playing down a grade goes against everything he's researched for his older kid. I did tell him to tell the club if he wants his kid to play with their grade. He pays the bills. You dont have to be in a weird situation just because some coach wants a big kid on their g2016 team.


The travel club doesn't care about a kids grade

Only their age and skills

That is where you're wrong.

Parents foot the bill so its up to them to protect their Aug birthday kids from being exploited by clubs/coaches playing down for short term wins vs playing with their grade for long term development and college recruiting.


If I'm a coach, no parent can tell me to take their kid to play up on my team if they lack the quality just because of school grade
Yeah, some parents may get their moronic request to play up. Then the coach doesn't play the kid so the kid quits.

Only the dumb parents ask for their kid to play up if they aren't ready and it has nothing to do with grades.

Hahaha nobody ever since the beginning of time has ever had an issue with players asking to play with players their grade.

Nice try though.
Coaches and teams absolutely hold it against kids when parents ask for special treatment.

So special treatment is asking to play with kids in your grade?

You are insane.


No serious coach or club will entertain a request for a player to play up if that player doesn't have the quality to do so.
None

Every club will let a player play with kids their grade if they're an August birthday and a grade older.

No club is going to force a player to participate in a way that is against what they want to do.

Again, nice try though.


This is where rubber meets road. Kids will just quit if you force them into a situation they don't want. It's not worth the time OR money, especially if it means joining a new team after playing with the same people for years.

What is unfortunate is this transition is going to put people into situations that won't give them good choices. Older players who want to play up to stay on grade may have to see less playing time or drop to a lower team VS. joining a team with a bunch of people they really don't know/perhaps less experienced/skilled who might resent the playing time THEY take as a stronger player. I mean, maybe some good life lessons here BUT this is why, IMO, they should have phased in the switch with younger teams first and left the HS ages alone.


People talk like this is Kindergarten social groups play-dates

Tell your kid this is how the real world works and what they will face as adults

The cutoff has changed to 8/1 and this is your new age group.
Go to training and put in the work or be a quitter


Yep, and clubs will have to face the adult reality of fewer customers if they manage things poorly.


Your sense of entitlement has removed all objective logical reality from your mind

Imagine seriously thinking your kid should be on a MLS Next team because of their birth month and demand this of a club


What's out-of-whack is thinking every soccer parent thinks their kid is going to be a college star. Some parents just want a club they've played at for most of their lives to treat them fairly. Nothing more and if they don't, they'll struggle with their bottom line, because those kids and families will move on as they should.


Clubs have been making decisions forever that pains many entitled parents who think little Chad and Lizzy should get whatever they want because they pay the fees

The clubs are still thriving even after you left

By fairly, you mean in your favor to your liking


Clubs thriving? In the time I've watched this space, I've seen plenty of clubs go out of business or have to merge with others. I guess you missed all that. Ignore market forces at your peril.


You're claiming normal market behavior as a feather in your argument cap?

Banks fail, merge
Software companies fail, merge
Hospitals fail, merge
Airlines fail, merge

Nothing you say will make your kid playing up a reality if they're not good enough to do so. Which they're obviously not or you wouldn't be politicking for same grade teams

If Aug birthdays aren't good enough for the correct grade A team welcome to the correct grade B team. Pretty simple
Except you would have to find a team willing to break their own rules to let a non star to play up if it exists. Or find a team to play on age

That makes no sense. The B team is players not good enough for the A team.


We'll be soon seeing a TON of B team players from Aug-Dec born join A teams. Bank on it!


Their B team skills gonna improve overnight?


Not the poster you are replying to, but yes they will improve RELATIVELY overnight when matched against the different age cohort. If you can't see this, I don't know what to tell you (yes the magnitude of course it depends on the specific age group)
Amen. True dat, elitists can't see the obvious.

So conversely Aug birthday players playing down will automatically get worse when playing with grade down cohorts.
Your confusing age with grades again. Grades aren't a thing in club soccer.

Last time I checked ECNL posts players graduation year on their profiles. I wonder why they would do that? Its almost like grade in scholl matters for something. What could it be?


It's so college coaches know when to expect them on campus.

So grade in school does matter and its because college recruiters use it to assess players.

Wouldn't want to be the one player playing down on a team with kids a grade below them. Easy way for recruiters to instant reject players.


Yes, because the recruiter sees the high quality of their current play, sees their strong potential for future play but decides not to recruit because of school grade


Here's the thing that's happening. These players wouldn't even be before the recruiter if they stay on grade on a B team, because the A team is just that good. And yet they have a chance with the A team on age OR it's a position issue. Sure, some coaches may not consider out of hand I guess, but on a lot of clubs the B teams don't get that kind of exposure period -- on the A teams. The A teams are the ones on the platform, get the travel to the big events. It's at least a foot in the door.
Anonymous
Post 12/16/2025 14:01     Subject: Trapped/Re-aging Families, How are you having the conversation?

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:
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:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:G2016 was speaking with another parent this weekend about the BY the SY change. He said its weird. I asked why he thinks its weird. He said my kid is an August birthday. I said wouldn't that make your kid the oldest on a SY team? My kid is a july birthday shes screwed. He said its weird that my daughter would be playing on a team with players that are a year behind her in school. I said if you think that it's weird just tell your club that you're not paying unless shes on a team with players her grade.

Interesting exchange you could tell he instinctively knew that playing down was an issue. But he couldnt figure out why. His oldest is being recruited for swimming right so Im sure he'll put the pieces together reguarding his youngest and playing on the correct grade team.
In summary, you finally met someone with an child with an August birthday but couldn't convince them that they should kick and scream to have their kid to play up because they are special, not based on skill but because they are special. And this person didn't buy it. That would check out

I'm the person that wrote this.

I was just trying to listen to see what they were thinking. I thought it was interesting to hear their perspective. I specifically thought it was interesting that they thought it was weird for their kid to play down on a team with younger grade in school players.

You seem to have issues.
Not believable. They didn't have a problem with their daughter playing on age, just thought it was a little odd, and then you told them to go to the club and demand that they allow the girl to play up an age group. That isn't just listening.

Maybe, but the word they used was "weird" not "a little odd" and I know this guy he's 100% into his older kid getting recruited to swim in college. He said weird because playing down a grade goes against everything he's researched for his older kid. I did tell him to tell the club if he wants his kid to play with their grade. He pays the bills. You dont have to be in a weird situation just because some coach wants a big kid on their g2016 team.


The travel club doesn't care about a kids grade

Only their age and skills

That is where you're wrong.

Parents foot the bill so its up to them to protect their Aug birthday kids from being exploited by clubs/coaches playing down for short term wins vs playing with their grade for long term development and college recruiting.


If I'm a coach, no parent can tell me to take their kid to play up on my team if they lack the quality just because of school grade
Yeah, some parents may get their moronic request to play up. Then the coach doesn't play the kid so the kid quits.

Only the dumb parents ask for their kid to play up if they aren't ready and it has nothing to do with grades.

Hahaha nobody ever since the beginning of time has ever had an issue with players asking to play with players their grade.

Nice try though.
Coaches and teams absolutely hold it against kids when parents ask for special treatment.

So special treatment is asking to play with kids in your grade?

You are insane.


No serious coach or club will entertain a request for a player to play up if that player doesn't have the quality to do so.
None

Every club will let a player play with kids their grade if they're an August birthday and a grade older.

No club is going to force a player to participate in a way that is against what they want to do.

Again, nice try though.


This is where rubber meets road. Kids will just quit if you force them into a situation they don't want. It's not worth the time OR money, especially if it means joining a new team after playing with the same people for years.

What is unfortunate is this transition is going to put people into situations that won't give them good choices. Older players who want to play up to stay on grade may have to see less playing time or drop to a lower team VS. joining a team with a bunch of people they really don't know/perhaps less experienced/skilled who might resent the playing time THEY take as a stronger player. I mean, maybe some good life lessons here BUT this is why, IMO, they should have phased in the switch with younger teams first and left the HS ages alone.


People talk like this is Kindergarten social groups play-dates

Tell your kid this is how the real world works and what they will face as adults

The cutoff has changed to 8/1 and this is your new age group.
Go to training and put in the work or be a quitter


Yep, and clubs will have to face the adult reality of fewer customers if they manage things poorly.


Your sense of entitlement has removed all objective logical reality from your mind

Imagine seriously thinking your kid should be on a MLS Next team because of their birth month and demand this of a club


What's out-of-whack is thinking every soccer parent thinks their kid is going to be a college star. Some parents just want a club they've played at for most of their lives to treat them fairly. Nothing more and if they don't, they'll struggle with their bottom line, because those kids and families will move on as they should.


Clubs have been making decisions forever that pains many entitled parents who think little Chad and Lizzy should get whatever they want because they pay the fees

The clubs are still thriving even after you left

By fairly, you mean in your favor to your liking


Clubs thriving? In the time I've watched this space, I've seen plenty of clubs go out of business or have to merge with others. I guess you missed all that. Ignore market forces at your peril.


You're claiming normal market behavior as a feather in your argument cap?

Banks fail, merge
Software companies fail, merge
Hospitals fail, merge
Airlines fail, merge

Nothing you say will make your kid playing up a reality if they're not good enough to do so. Which they're obviously not or you wouldn't be politicking for same grade teams

If Aug birthdays aren't good enough for the correct grade A team welcome to the correct grade B team. Pretty simple
Except you would have to find a team willing to break their own rules to let a non star to play up if it exists. Or find a team to play on age

That makes no sense. The B team is players not good enough for the A team.


We'll be soon seeing a TON of B team players from Aug-Dec born join A teams. Bank on it!


Their B team skills gonna improve overnight?


Not the poster you are replying to, but yes they will improve RELATIVELY overnight when matched against the different age cohort. If you can't see this, I don't know what to tell you (yes the magnitude of course it depends on the specific age group)
Amen. True dat, elitists can't see the obvious.

So conversely Aug birthday players playing down will automatically get worse when playing with grade down cohorts.
Your confusing age with grades again. Grades aren't a thing in club soccer.

Last time I checked ECNL posts players graduation year on their profiles. I wonder why they would do that? Its almost like grade in scholl matters for something. What could it be?


It's so college coaches know when to expect them on campus.

So grade in school does matter and its because college recruiters use it to assess players.

Wouldn't want to be the one player playing down on a team with kids a grade below them. Easy way for recruiters to instant reject players.


Yes, because the recruiter sees the high quality of their current play, sees their strong potential for future play but decides not to recruit because of school grade
You keep parroting yourself while saying recruiter for some reason. College coaches pick the best players that they can from interested players regardless of the situation the player is in; domestic, international, transfer, whatever. And if you are worried about soccer college for your 6 year old, you are parenting wrong.
Anonymous
Post 12/16/2025 13:57     Subject: Trapped/Re-aging Families, How are you having the conversation?

Anonymous wrote:
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Anonymous wrote:G2016 was speaking with another parent this weekend about the BY the SY change. He said its weird. I asked why he thinks its weird. He said my kid is an August birthday. I said wouldn't that make your kid the oldest on a SY team? My kid is a july birthday shes screwed. He said its weird that my daughter would be playing on a team with players that are a year behind her in school. I said if you think that it's weird just tell your club that you're not paying unless shes on a team with players her grade.

Interesting exchange you could tell he instinctively knew that playing down was an issue. But he couldnt figure out why. His oldest is being recruited for swimming right so Im sure he'll put the pieces together reguarding his youngest and playing on the correct grade team.
In summary, you finally met someone with an child with an August birthday but couldn't convince them that they should kick and scream to have their kid to play up because they are special, not based on skill but because they are special. And this person didn't buy it. That would check out

I'm the person that wrote this.

I was just trying to listen to see what they were thinking. I thought it was interesting to hear their perspective. I specifically thought it was interesting that they thought it was weird for their kid to play down on a team with younger grade in school players.

You seem to have issues.
Not believable. They didn't have a problem with their daughter playing on age, just thought it was a little odd, and then you told them to go to the club and demand that they allow the girl to play up an age group. That isn't just listening.

Maybe, but the word they used was "weird" not "a little odd" and I know this guy he's 100% into his older kid getting recruited to swim in college. He said weird because playing down a grade goes against everything he's researched for his older kid. I did tell him to tell the club if he wants his kid to play with their grade. He pays the bills. You dont have to be in a weird situation just because some coach wants a big kid on their g2016 team.


The travel club doesn't care about a kids grade

Only their age and skills

That is where you're wrong.

Parents foot the bill so its up to them to protect their Aug birthday kids from being exploited by clubs/coaches playing down for short term wins vs playing with their grade for long term development and college recruiting.


If I'm a coach, no parent can tell me to take their kid to play up on my team if they lack the quality just because of school grade
Yeah, some parents may get their moronic request to play up. Then the coach doesn't play the kid so the kid quits.

Only the dumb parents ask for their kid to play up if they aren't ready and it has nothing to do with grades.

Hahaha nobody ever since the beginning of time has ever had an issue with players asking to play with players their grade.

Nice try though.
Coaches and teams absolutely hold it against kids when parents ask for special treatment.

So special treatment is asking to play with kids in your grade?

You are insane.


No serious coach or club will entertain a request for a player to play up if that player doesn't have the quality to do so.
None

Every club will let a player play with kids their grade if they're an August birthday and a grade older.

No club is going to force a player to participate in a way that is against what they want to do.

Again, nice try though.


This is where rubber meets road. Kids will just quit if you force them into a situation they don't want. It's not worth the time OR money, especially if it means joining a new team after playing with the same people for years.

What is unfortunate is this transition is going to put people into situations that won't give them good choices. Older players who want to play up to stay on grade may have to see less playing time or drop to a lower team VS. joining a team with a bunch of people they really don't know/perhaps less experienced/skilled who might resent the playing time THEY take as a stronger player. I mean, maybe some good life lessons here BUT this is why, IMO, they should have phased in the switch with younger teams first and left the HS ages alone.


People talk like this is Kindergarten social groups play-dates

Tell your kid this is how the real world works and what they will face as adults

The cutoff has changed to 8/1 and this is your new age group.
Go to training and put in the work or be a quitter


Yep, and clubs will have to face the adult reality of fewer customers if they manage things poorly.


Your sense of entitlement has removed all objective logical reality from your mind

Imagine seriously thinking your kid should be on a MLS Next team because of their birth month and demand this of a club


What's out-of-whack is thinking every soccer parent thinks their kid is going to be a college star. Some parents just want a club they've played at for most of their lives to treat them fairly. Nothing more and if they don't, they'll struggle with their bottom line, because those kids and families will move on as they should.


Clubs have been making decisions forever that pains many entitled parents who think little Chad and Lizzy should get whatever they want because they pay the fees

The clubs are still thriving even after you left

By fairly, you mean in your favor to your liking


Clubs thriving? In the time I've watched this space, I've seen plenty of clubs go out of business or have to merge with others. I guess you missed all that. Ignore market forces at your peril.


You're claiming normal market behavior as a feather in your argument cap?

Banks fail, merge
Software companies fail, merge
Hospitals fail, merge
Airlines fail, merge

Nothing you say will make your kid playing up a reality if they're not good enough to do so. Which they're obviously not or you wouldn't be politicking for same grade teams

If Aug birthdays aren't good enough for the correct grade A team welcome to the correct grade B team. Pretty simple
Except you would have to find a team willing to break their own rules to let a non star to play up if it exists. Or find a team to play on age

That makes no sense. The B team is players not good enough for the A team.


We'll be soon seeing a TON of B team players from Aug-Dec born join A teams. Bank on it!


Their B team skills gonna improve overnight?


Not the poster you are replying to, but yes they will improve RELATIVELY overnight when matched against the different age cohort. If you can't see this, I don't know what to tell you (yes the magnitude of course it depends on the specific age group)
Amen. True dat, elitists can't see the obvious.

So conversely Aug birthday players playing down will automatically get worse when playing with grade down cohorts.


Or maybe they get better because they can be a leader and star on the team.

What does being the leader and the star on the team translate to? That's right playing in college which will be something you cant do because you're playing at a grade down level and college coaches will ignore your kid. The other parents will also hate you because your kid who isn't even recruitable is taking up minutes their kid who is playing at the corect grade should be receiving.


If they are a leader and a star (where they wouldn't be otherwise), they'd have a much better chance at being recruited.

If they were good enough to be a leader and a star it will happen on any team they play on. Playing down a grade is just insecure parents trying to get their kid an advantage.


Do you ever get tired of being wrong.

I still think you are hired by or a bot built by the owner of DCU for clicks.

A 7th grader playing with 8th graders will be hard pressed to be the "leader" of a team. Social constructs are real and grade below usually defers to grade above regardless of ability.

If you are a real person, in a twisted way I admire your dedication to trying to help your kid. But if you took all the time you spend being a troll online and actually helping her get better at soccer it would probably be more likely to get you where you want to be.

But, to use your words, if she is so bad that you are worried about an older grade playing in her proper age group it is probably a lost cause in the first place


The sentiment and concern about being forced to play on age AND below grade is real. It exists at my club and make up a lot of conversations right now, and those questions and concerns should be addressed. But I think it should be done individually and not force those kids the other way, either.

We are all going through this right now. The same discussions are happening at my kids club.

Leagues need to step in with a rule or a recommendation. Its ridiculous to leave the Aug birthday situation up for interpretation.


They have. It's play age/you can play up if good enough. Many clubs just are not being good at communicating (as usual).

So what you're saying is that all A teams will be players playing their grade and Aug players playing up their grade.
No, what you are saying is that your reading comprehension is poor.
Anonymous
Post 12/16/2025 13:48     Subject: Trapped/Re-aging Families, How are you having the conversation?

Anonymous wrote:
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Anonymous wrote:
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Anonymous wrote:G2016 was speaking with another parent this weekend about the BY the SY change. He said its weird. I asked why he thinks its weird. He said my kid is an August birthday. I said wouldn't that make your kid the oldest on a SY team? My kid is a july birthday shes screwed. He said its weird that my daughter would be playing on a team with players that are a year behind her in school. I said if you think that it's weird just tell your club that you're not paying unless shes on a team with players her grade.

Interesting exchange you could tell he instinctively knew that playing down was an issue. But he couldnt figure out why. His oldest is being recruited for swimming right so Im sure he'll put the pieces together reguarding his youngest and playing on the correct grade team.
In summary, you finally met someone with an child with an August birthday but couldn't convince them that they should kick and scream to have their kid to play up because they are special, not based on skill but because they are special. And this person didn't buy it. That would check out

I'm the person that wrote this.

I was just trying to listen to see what they were thinking. I thought it was interesting to hear their perspective. I specifically thought it was interesting that they thought it was weird for their kid to play down on a team with younger grade in school players.

You seem to have issues.
Not believable. They didn't have a problem with their daughter playing on age, just thought it was a little odd, and then you told them to go to the club and demand that they allow the girl to play up an age group. That isn't just listening.

Maybe, but the word they used was "weird" not "a little odd" and I know this guy he's 100% into his older kid getting recruited to swim in college. He said weird because playing down a grade goes against everything he's researched for his older kid. I did tell him to tell the club if he wants his kid to play with their grade. He pays the bills. You dont have to be in a weird situation just because some coach wants a big kid on their g2016 team.


The travel club doesn't care about a kids grade

Only their age and skills

That is where you're wrong.

Parents foot the bill so its up to them to protect their Aug birthday kids from being exploited by clubs/coaches playing down for short term wins vs playing with their grade for long term development and college recruiting.


If I'm a coach, no parent can tell me to take their kid to play up on my team if they lack the quality just because of school grade
Yeah, some parents may get their moronic request to play up. Then the coach doesn't play the kid so the kid quits.

Only the dumb parents ask for their kid to play up if they aren't ready and it has nothing to do with grades.

Hahaha nobody ever since the beginning of time has ever had an issue with players asking to play with players their grade.

Nice try though.
Coaches and teams absolutely hold it against kids when parents ask for special treatment.

So special treatment is asking to play with kids in your grade?

You are insane.


No serious coach or club will entertain a request for a player to play up if that player doesn't have the quality to do so.
None

Every club will let a player play with kids their grade if they're an August birthday and a grade older.

No club is going to force a player to participate in a way that is against what they want to do.

Again, nice try though.


This is where rubber meets road. Kids will just quit if you force them into a situation they don't want. It's not worth the time OR money, especially if it means joining a new team after playing with the same people for years.

What is unfortunate is this transition is going to put people into situations that won't give them good choices. Older players who want to play up to stay on grade may have to see less playing time or drop to a lower team VS. joining a team with a bunch of people they really don't know/perhaps less experienced/skilled who might resent the playing time THEY take as a stronger player. I mean, maybe some good life lessons here BUT this is why, IMO, they should have phased in the switch with younger teams first and left the HS ages alone.


People talk like this is Kindergarten social groups play-dates

Tell your kid this is how the real world works and what they will face as adults

The cutoff has changed to 8/1 and this is your new age group.
Go to training and put in the work or be a quitter


Yep, and clubs will have to face the adult reality of fewer customers if they manage things poorly.


Your sense of entitlement has removed all objective logical reality from your mind

Imagine seriously thinking your kid should be on a MLS Next team because of their birth month and demand this of a club


What's out-of-whack is thinking every soccer parent thinks their kid is going to be a college star. Some parents just want a club they've played at for most of their lives to treat them fairly. Nothing more and if they don't, they'll struggle with their bottom line, because those kids and families will move on as they should.


Clubs have been making decisions forever that pains many entitled parents who think little Chad and Lizzy should get whatever they want because they pay the fees

The clubs are still thriving even after you left

By fairly, you mean in your favor to your liking


Clubs thriving? In the time I've watched this space, I've seen plenty of clubs go out of business or have to merge with others. I guess you missed all that. Ignore market forces at your peril.


You're claiming normal market behavior as a feather in your argument cap?

Banks fail, merge
Software companies fail, merge
Hospitals fail, merge
Airlines fail, merge

Nothing you say will make your kid playing up a reality if they're not good enough to do so. Which they're obviously not or you wouldn't be politicking for same grade teams

If Aug birthdays aren't good enough for the correct grade A team welcome to the correct grade B team. Pretty simple
Except you would have to find a team willing to break their own rules to let a non star to play up if it exists. Or find a team to play on age

That makes no sense. The B team is players not good enough for the A team.


We'll be soon seeing a TON of B team players from Aug-Dec born join A teams. Bank on it!


Their B team skills gonna improve overnight?


Not the poster you are replying to, but yes they will improve RELATIVELY overnight when matched against the different age cohort. If you can't see this, I don't know what to tell you (yes the magnitude of course it depends on the specific age group)
Amen. True dat, elitists can't see the obvious.

So conversely Aug birthday players playing down will automatically get worse when playing with grade down cohorts.


Or maybe they get better because they can be a leader and star on the team.

What does being the leader and the star on the team translate to? That's right playing in college which will be something you cant do because you're playing at a grade down level and college coaches will ignore your kid. The other parents will also hate you because your kid who isn't even recruitable is taking up minutes their kid who is playing at the corect grade should be receiving.


If they are a leader and a star (where they wouldn't be otherwise), they'd have a much better chance at being recruited.

If they were good enough to be a leader and a star it will happen on any team they play on. Playing down a grade is just insecure parents trying to get their kid an advantage.


Do you ever get tired of being wrong.

I still think you are hired by or a bot built by the owner of DCU for clicks.

A 7th grader playing with 8th graders will be hard pressed to be the "leader" of a team. Social constructs are real and grade below usually defers to grade above regardless of ability.

If you are a real person, in a twisted way I admire your dedication to trying to help your kid. But if you took all the time you spend being a troll online and actually helping her get better at soccer it would probably be more likely to get you where you want to be.

But, to use your words, if she is so bad that you are worried about an older grade playing in her proper age group it is probably a lost cause in the first place


The sentiment and concern about being forced to play on age AND below grade is real. It exists at my club and make up a lot of conversations right now, and those questions and concerns should be addressed. But I think it should be done individually and not force those kids the other way, either.

We are all going through this right now. The same discussions are happening at my kids club.

Leagues need to step in with a rule or a recommendation. Its ridiculous to leave the Aug birthday situation up for interpretation.


They have. It's play age/you can play up if good enough. Many clubs just are not being good at communicating (as usual).

So what you're saying is that all A teams will be players playing their grade and Aug players playing up their grade.


No, that's not what I'm seeing. For example, I see a stacked age group where strong B team players coming down to the younger age group (regardless of grade because the A team already is stacked).
Anonymous
Post 12/16/2025 13:44     Subject: Trapped/Re-aging Families, How are you having the conversation?

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:
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:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:G2016 was speaking with another parent this weekend about the BY the SY change. He said its weird. I asked why he thinks its weird. He said my kid is an August birthday. I said wouldn't that make your kid the oldest on a SY team? My kid is a july birthday shes screwed. He said its weird that my daughter would be playing on a team with players that are a year behind her in school. I said if you think that it's weird just tell your club that you're not paying unless shes on a team with players her grade.

Interesting exchange you could tell he instinctively knew that playing down was an issue. But he couldnt figure out why. His oldest is being recruited for swimming right so Im sure he'll put the pieces together reguarding his youngest and playing on the correct grade team.
In summary, you finally met someone with an child with an August birthday but couldn't convince them that they should kick and scream to have their kid to play up because they are special, not based on skill but because they are special. And this person didn't buy it. That would check out

I'm the person that wrote this.

I was just trying to listen to see what they were thinking. I thought it was interesting to hear their perspective. I specifically thought it was interesting that they thought it was weird for their kid to play down on a team with younger grade in school players.

You seem to have issues.
Not believable. They didn't have a problem with their daughter playing on age, just thought it was a little odd, and then you told them to go to the club and demand that they allow the girl to play up an age group. That isn't just listening.

Maybe, but the word they used was "weird" not "a little odd" and I know this guy he's 100% into his older kid getting recruited to swim in college. He said weird because playing down a grade goes against everything he's researched for his older kid. I did tell him to tell the club if he wants his kid to play with their grade. He pays the bills. You dont have to be in a weird situation just because some coach wants a big kid on their g2016 team.


The travel club doesn't care about a kids grade

Only their age and skills

That is where you're wrong.

Parents foot the bill so its up to them to protect their Aug birthday kids from being exploited by clubs/coaches playing down for short term wins vs playing with their grade for long term development and college recruiting.


If I'm a coach, no parent can tell me to take their kid to play up on my team if they lack the quality just because of school grade
Yeah, some parents may get their moronic request to play up. Then the coach doesn't play the kid so the kid quits.

Only the dumb parents ask for their kid to play up if they aren't ready and it has nothing to do with grades.

Hahaha nobody ever since the beginning of time has ever had an issue with players asking to play with players their grade.

Nice try though.
Coaches and teams absolutely hold it against kids when parents ask for special treatment.

So special treatment is asking to play with kids in your grade?

You are insane.


No serious coach or club will entertain a request for a player to play up if that player doesn't have the quality to do so.
None

Every club will let a player play with kids their grade if they're an August birthday and a grade older.

No club is going to force a player to participate in a way that is against what they want to do.

Again, nice try though.


This is where rubber meets road. Kids will just quit if you force them into a situation they don't want. It's not worth the time OR money, especially if it means joining a new team after playing with the same people for years.

What is unfortunate is this transition is going to put people into situations that won't give them good choices. Older players who want to play up to stay on grade may have to see less playing time or drop to a lower team VS. joining a team with a bunch of people they really don't know/perhaps less experienced/skilled who might resent the playing time THEY take as a stronger player. I mean, maybe some good life lessons here BUT this is why, IMO, they should have phased in the switch with younger teams first and left the HS ages alone.


People talk like this is Kindergarten social groups play-dates

Tell your kid this is how the real world works and what they will face as adults

The cutoff has changed to 8/1 and this is your new age group.
Go to training and put in the work or be a quitter


Yep, and clubs will have to face the adult reality of fewer customers if they manage things poorly.


Your sense of entitlement has removed all objective logical reality from your mind

Imagine seriously thinking your kid should be on a MLS Next team because of their birth month and demand this of a club


What's out-of-whack is thinking every soccer parent thinks their kid is going to be a college star. Some parents just want a club they've played at for most of their lives to treat them fairly. Nothing more and if they don't, they'll struggle with their bottom line, because those kids and families will move on as they should.


Clubs have been making decisions forever that pains many entitled parents who think little Chad and Lizzy should get whatever they want because they pay the fees

The clubs are still thriving even after you left

By fairly, you mean in your favor to your liking


Clubs thriving? In the time I've watched this space, I've seen plenty of clubs go out of business or have to merge with others. I guess you missed all that. Ignore market forces at your peril.


You're claiming normal market behavior as a feather in your argument cap?

Banks fail, merge
Software companies fail, merge
Hospitals fail, merge
Airlines fail, merge

Nothing you say will make your kid playing up a reality if they're not good enough to do so. Which they're obviously not or you wouldn't be politicking for same grade teams

If Aug birthdays aren't good enough for the correct grade A team welcome to the correct grade B team. Pretty simple
Except you would have to find a team willing to break their own rules to let a non star to play up if it exists. Or find a team to play on age

That makes no sense. The B team is players not good enough for the A team.


We'll be soon seeing a TON of B team players from Aug-Dec born join A teams. Bank on it!


Their B team skills gonna improve overnight?


Not the poster you are replying to, but yes they will improve RELATIVELY overnight when matched against the different age cohort. If you can't see this, I don't know what to tell you (yes the magnitude of course it depends on the specific age group)
Amen. True dat, elitists can't see the obvious.

So conversely Aug birthday players playing down will automatically get worse when playing with grade down cohorts.
Your confusing age with grades again. Grades aren't a thing in club soccer.

Last time I checked ECNL posts players graduation year on their profiles. I wonder why they would do that? Its almost like grade in scholl matters for something. What could it be?


It's so college coaches know when to expect them on campus.

So grade in school does matter and its because college recruiters use it to assess players.

Wouldn't want to be the one player playing down on a team with kids a grade below them. Easy way for recruiters to instant reject players.


Yes, because the recruiter sees the high quality of their current play, sees their strong potential for future play but decides not to recruit because of school grade