It’s a “thing” and it’s growing. Armour has a 6’2” ‘06 CB playing ‘07, as well as an “average size ‘06 CM playing down to ‘07. Both players are HS JRs. They have two ‘07s playing ‘08, again both are HS SOPHs. This year they have given several offers (5 I know of directly)
to kids to “play down” an age group. Don’t understand fully how it works - for DA it was size and birthdate (lower 20% in size (I think) and birthday late November and beyond). Now it seems to be a pick and choose…it seems a way for clubs to accumulate a large talent pool….

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is without doubt that size and strength matter in baseball (pitching, batting, throwing).

Agree that soccer is one of the sports where size/height/strength matter the LEAST. Sorry your kid is short, you alreayd picked the best sport for him without some scheme to play down.

Yes, of course size matters in baseball—the size of your GUT! OH! 🔥🤣🤪

But in all seriousness, that’s one of the great things about soccer—a sport that can accommodate all types and still be good in it. The other one that comes to mind is long-distance running, but that is too boring for suburban parents to fight over.

There ARE sports that actually favor smaller stature (as opposed to being kind of neutral about it like soccer), like gymnastics and rock climbing (the latter of which is, IMHO, underrated.)

Where can we find this neutrality where size, early maturity and early bloomers doesn't matter in youth soccer?

Because it sure ain't on the fields

It totally matters, but it’s all relative. Being short is far more of a determinant (or deterrent?) in basketball, for example, than soccer.

You do know the main problem with relative age effect is the Selection process before even getting to the Performance aspects?

The late bloomers and younger biological age kids aren't getting selected to be on top teams.

I was confused by this response until I realized it may not be clear that the PP dissing baseball (me) is not the same as the PP dissing short kids (“sorry your kid is short and therefore stuck with soccer” wtf dude.)

I agree with the general statement that soccer is less size-restrictive relative to other sports. I VERY much disagree with the implication that, as a result, there shouldn’t be bio-banding. Which I think also implies that bio-banding should only be for inherently size-restrictive sports?

I personally have not had to deal with bio-banding—that I’m aware of for certain—but it does sound like it is easily exploited and needs more standardized rules. That does not mean it’s some nefarious “scheme.”

Its use should be limited to the most obvious cases, and they have pediatric size/weight/BMI charts so why not just go by that? Like if your kid is in the single digits percentile for their age, then there shouldn’t be any doubt that the kid is playing down a year only to unfairly advantage a younger team.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is without doubt that size and strength matter in baseball (pitching, batting, throwing).

Agree that soccer is one of the sports where size/height/strength matter the LEAST. Sorry your kid is short, you alreayd picked the best sport for him without some scheme to play down.

Yes, of course size matters in baseball—the size of your GUT! OH! 🔥🤣🤪

But in all seriousness, that’s one of the great things about soccer—a sport that can accommodate all types and still be good in it. The other one that comes to mind is long-distance running, but that is too boring for suburban parents to fight over.

There ARE sports that actually favor smaller stature (as opposed to being kind of neutral about it like soccer), like gymnastics and rock climbing (the latter of which is, IMHO, underrated.)

Where can we find this neutrality where size, early maturity and early bloomers doesn't matter in youth soccer?

Because it sure ain't on the fields

It totally matters, but it’s all relative. Being short is far more of a determinant (or deterrent?) in basketball, for example, than soccer.

You do know the main problem with relative age effect is the Selection process before even getting to the Performance aspects?

The late bloomers and younger biological age kids aren't getting selected to be on top teams.

That's why there should be no league tables/standings till at least U14's

Let coaches focus on developing kids rather than winning for their egos

Clubs will still form A and B teams. Talented players will still want to play with other talented players

Good thing bio-banding has nothing to do with talent

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is without doubt that size and strength matter in baseball (pitching, batting, throwing).

Agree that soccer is one of the sports where size/height/strength matter the LEAST. Sorry your kid is short, you alreayd picked the best sport for him without some scheme to play down.

Yes, of course size matters in baseball—the size of your GUT! OH! 🔥🤣🤪

But in all seriousness, that’s one of the great things about soccer—a sport that can accommodate all types and still be good in it. The other one that comes to mind is long-distance running, but that is too boring for suburban parents to fight over.

There ARE sports that actually favor smaller stature (as opposed to being kind of neutral about it like soccer), like gymnastics and rock climbing (the latter of which is, IMHO, underrated.)

Where can we find this neutrality where size, early maturity and early bloomers doesn't matter in youth soccer?

Because it sure ain't on the fields

It totally matters, but it’s all relative. Being short is far more of a determinant (or deterrent?) in basketball, for example, than soccer.

You do know the main problem with relative age effect is the Selection process before even getting to the Performance aspects?

The late bloomers and younger biological age kids aren't getting selected to be on top teams.

That's why there should be no league tables/standings till at least U14's

Let coaches focus on developing kids rather than winning for their egos

Clubs will still form A and B teams. Talented players will still want to play with other talented players

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is without doubt that size and strength matter in baseball (pitching, batting, throwing).

Agree that soccer is one of the sports where size/height/strength matter the LEAST. Sorry your kid is short, you alreayd picked the best sport for him without some scheme to play down.

Yes, of course size matters in baseball—the size of your GUT! OH! 🔥🤣🤪

But in all seriousness, that’s one of the great things about soccer—a sport that can accommodate all types and still be good in it. The other one that comes to mind is long-distance running, but that is too boring for suburban parents to fight over.

There ARE sports that actually favor smaller stature (as opposed to being kind of neutral about it like soccer), like gymnastics and rock climbing (the latter of which is, IMHO, underrated.)

Where can we find this neutrality where size, early maturity and early bloomers doesn't matter in youth soccer?

Because it sure ain't on the fields

It totally matters, but it’s all relative. Being short is far more of a determinant (or deterrent?) in basketball, for example, than soccer.

You do know the main problem with relative age effect is the Selection process before even getting to the Performance aspects?

The late bloomers and younger biological age kids aren't getting selected to be on top teams.

That's why there should be no league tables/standings till at least U14's

Let coaches focus on developing kids rather than winning for their egos

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is without doubt that size and strength matter in baseball (pitching, batting, throwing).

Agree that soccer is one of the sports where size/height/strength matter the LEAST. Sorry your kid is short, you alreayd picked the best sport for him without some scheme to play down.

Yes, of course size matters in baseball—the size of your GUT! OH! 🔥🤣🤪

But in all seriousness, that’s one of the great things about soccer—a sport that can accommodate all types and still be good in it. The other one that comes to mind is long-distance running, but that is too boring for suburban parents to fight over.

There ARE sports that actually favor smaller stature (as opposed to being kind of neutral about it like soccer), like gymnastics and rock climbing (the latter of which is, IMHO, underrated.)

Where can we find this neutrality where size, early maturity and early bloomers doesn't matter in youth soccer?

Because it sure ain't on the fields

It totally matters, but it’s all relative. Being short is far more of a determinant (or deterrent?) in basketball, for example, than soccer.

You do know the main problem with relative age effect is the Selection process before even getting to the Performance aspects?

The late bloomers and younger biological age kids aren't getting selected to be on top teams.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are they so weird about it? Why not band based on a skill assessment?

Cause then it would be called skill-banding. LMAO. and this is why clubs already have multiple level teams based on SKILL.

Actually it is based on size and speed not skill. So they are already are doing biobanding

Am I daft? The teams are primarily based on AGE - hence U-9, U-14 then further sorted by speed and skill (Red, Orange, green).

Bio banding is having a smaller player play DOWN but on a team commensurate with talent to obviate the very clear advantage size/speed brings to the game.

Other countries recognized they often missed out on their Messi / who is 5’6 by only developing their talls in U14-U-16 stage.

That's truer than you think https://medium.com/@giacorada/the-fascinating-birth-trend-among-professional-soccer-players-b2a48d015e7d

biobanding is meant to give kids born later the year a chance rather than washing them out early

perhaps the problem is the notion that NINE year olds “wash out” …

Across almost every sport, birthday turns out to be a huge factor. Biobanding is a way to capture more talent.

https://theathletic.com/3691009/2022/10/24/player-birthday-college-nba/

https://www.wired.com/2013/03/nhl-selection-bias/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is without doubt that size and strength matter in baseball (pitching, batting, throwing).

Agree that soccer is one of the sports where size/height/strength matter the LEAST. Sorry your kid is short, you alreayd picked the best sport for him without some scheme to play down.

Yes, of course size matters in baseball—the size of your GUT! OH! 🔥🤣🤪

But in all seriousness, that’s one of the great things about soccer—a sport that can accommodate all types and still be good in it. The other one that comes to mind is long-distance running, but that is too boring for suburban parents to fight over.

There ARE sports that actually favor smaller stature (as opposed to being kind of neutral about it like soccer), like gymnastics and rock climbing (the latter of which is, IMHO, underrated.)

Where can we find this neutrality where size, early maturity and early bloomers doesn't matter in youth soccer?

Because it sure ain't on the fields

It totally matters, but it’s all relative. Being short is far more of a determinant (or deterrent?) in basketball, for example, than soccer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is without doubt that size and strength matter in baseball (pitching, batting, throwing).

Agree that soccer is one of the sports where size/height/strength matter the LEAST. Sorry your kid is short, you alreayd picked the best sport for him without some scheme to play down.

Yes, of course size matters in baseball—the size of your GUT! OH! 🔥🤣🤪

But in all seriousness, that’s one of the great things about soccer—a sport that can accommodate all types and still be good in it. The other one that comes to mind is long-distance running, but that is too boring for suburban parents to fight over.

There ARE sports that actually favor smaller stature (as opposed to being kind of neutral about it like soccer), like gymnastics and rock climbing (the latter of which is, IMHO, underrated.)

Where can we find this neutrality where size, early maturity and early bloomers doesn't matter in youth soccer?

Because it sure ain't on the fields

Anonymous wrote:It is without doubt that size and strength matter in baseball (pitching, batting, throwing).

Agree that soccer is one of the sports where size/height/strength matter the LEAST. Sorry your kid is short, you alreayd picked the best sport for him without some scheme to play down.

Yes, of course size matters in baseball—the size of your GUT! OH! 🔥🤣🤪

But in all seriousness, that’s one of the great things about soccer—a sport that can accommodate all types and still be good in it. The other one that comes to mind is long-distance running, but that is too boring for suburban parents to fight over.

There ARE sports that actually favor smaller stature (as opposed to being kind of neutral about it like soccer), like gymnastics and rock climbing (the latter of which is, IMHO, underrated.)

Anonymous wrote:no other sport seems to have as many whiners about "relative age" as soccer parents, when size matters much more in other sports. I wonder why that is.

Maybe the soccer parents pool is more intelligent and intellectual.
They also realize the discussion is about Youth Sports and development.
Not adult sports in general.

A little more evolved than the CTE mouth-breather parents

Why are you on the Soccer forum?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are they so weird about it? Why not band based on a skill assessment?

Cause then it would be called skill-banding. LMAO. and this is why clubs already have multiple level teams based on SKILL.

Actually it is based on size and speed not skill. So they are already are doing biobanding

Am I daft? The teams are primarily based on AGE - hence U-9, U-14 then further sorted by speed and skill (Red, Orange, green).

Bio banding is having a smaller player play DOWN but on a team commensurate with talent to obviate the very clear advantage size/speed brings to the game.

Other countries recognized they often missed out on their Messi / who is 5’6 by only developing their talls in U14-U-16 stage.

That's truer than you think https://medium.com/@giacorada/the-fascinating-birth-trend-among-professional-soccer-players-b2a48d015e7d

biobanding is meant to give kids born later the year a chance rather than washing them out early

perhaps the problem is the notion that NINE year olds “wash out” …

no other sport seems to have as many whiners about "relative age" as soccer parents, when size matters much more in other sports. I wonder why that is.

Anonymous wrote:It is without doubt that size and strength matter in baseball (pitching, batting, throwing).

Agree that soccer is one of the sports where size/height/strength matter the LEAST. Sorry your kid is short, you alreayd picked the best sport for him without some scheme to play down.

If you don't understand the topic, why feel the urgent need to comment?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are they so weird about it? Why not band based on a skill assessment?

Cause then it would be called skill-banding. LMAO. and this is why clubs already have multiple level teams based on SKILL.

Actually it is based on size and speed not skill. So they are already are doing biobanding

Am I daft? The teams are primarily based on AGE - hence U-9, U-14 then further sorted by speed and skill (Red, Orange, green).

Bio banding is having a smaller player play DOWN but on a team commensurate with talent to obviate the very clear advantage size/speed brings to the game.

Other countries recognized they often missed out on their Messi / who is 5’6 by only developing their talls in U14-U-16 stage.

That's truer than you think https://medium.com/@giacorada/the-fascinating-birth-trend-among-professional-soccer-players-b2a48d015e7d

biobanding is meant to give kids born later the year a chance rather than washing them out early