Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An entire Facebook thread with parents recommending Aug/Sept/Nov players play on the team that is their grade in school

https://www.facebook.com/groups/scholarshipsforsocceracademy/posts/25741948872099537/

This one is kind of interesting because you have Aug/Sept/Nov birthday parents and because of BY their kids are currently playing up on a grade older team they want to stay with their current BY team which is a grade older. But most recommend playing on the correct grade in school team. Literally nobody recommended playing down a grade on a younger in school team.

Something else I've noticed is clubs that are in districts whose cutoff is Sept/Nov (New Jersey, Wisconsin, etc) are being very clear that Aug/Sept/Nov birthdays play with their grade in school team. Even if it means playing up. This is probabaly happening because they have 2-3 months of players that could potentially play down and it would cause chaos and be impossible for the club to manage. Everyone seems to use college recruiting as the rational for playing on the team thats your grade in school.

Clubs that aren't listening to parents and think they can dictate which teams Aug/Sept/Nov players will roster on (playing on a grade down team) will have issues.

Yes, because a bunch of entitled parents who want their kids on play-dates should dictate to clubs and leagues how club soccer should be for their social satisfaction

Yes, this is what happens when parents pay the bills.

Another rationale I noticed was people saying that the spirit of changing from BY to SY was so more players could play on teams that are their grade in school. Having Aug/Sept/Nov birthdays play on the team thats their grade in school was a continuation of that thought process.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think Arlington's approach makes sense. Our club does not allow play ups to non-1st teams, which makes sense as a policy. They will now allow misaligned August kids to request to play up with their academic year and participate in tryouts normally. For our club, this will make a big difference for the 2nd teams and lower. There are lots of 1st team kids who could make the 2nd or 3rd or 4th team of the year ahead of them and now, for certain kids, that's allowed. It makes complete sense to me. If August/September kids prefer to stay on their existing team even though the kids on it are a grade behind in school (perhaps because they'd rather play on a 1st team than a 2nd one, or perhaps because they're small for their age and don't want to exacerbate the issue), that's completely fine too.

Arlington is BY right now. This fall they will change to SY and magically more players will be playing up on top teams so they're on the correct grade team for college recruiting.

For next fall Arlington has been very transparent. Playing up on age is mainly based on talent and will be the exception. As they said, not some hope for magic.

Q: Can players play up an age group?

A: Playing up is a coaching and technical decision based primarily on the player’s skill level, soccer maturity, and overall development needs. While Arlington Soccer allows flexibility in certain cases, playing up is the exception rather than the rule. Each situation is carefully evaluated by the technical staff to ensure it is in the best interest of both the individual player and the team.

Q: Can a player born between August 1 and September 30 play up if they are in the higher school grade?

A: School grade may be considered as part of the evaluation, but the decision to allow a player to play up is ultimately based on technical criteria including the player’s skill, maturity, and readiness for the older age group. Grade alone does not guarantee that a player will play up.

Plenty of upset parents at Arlington right now.

Upset how?

Who could have guessed that competitive parents would want their kids to play on the correct grade on school team. (for college recruiting)

The same parent is complaining to all of staff and all of the team parents as if it will make a difference. We get it, not everyone is going to be happy, but get over it already

Just wait, it will grow and more parents will complain. Then when rosters are announced and teams are all a single grade parents will go crazy.

And all Arlington needed to do was be honest saying that Aug birthdays will play on the team thats their grade in school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think Arlington's approach makes sense. Our club does not allow play ups to non-1st teams, which makes sense as a policy. They will now allow misaligned August kids to request to play up with their academic year and participate in tryouts normally. For our club, this will make a big difference for the 2nd teams and lower. There are lots of 1st team kids who could make the 2nd or 3rd or 4th team of the year ahead of them and now, for certain kids, that's allowed. It makes complete sense to me. If August/September kids prefer to stay on their existing team even though the kids on it are a grade behind in school (perhaps because they'd rather play on a 1st team than a 2nd one, or perhaps because they're small for their age and don't want to exacerbate the issue), that's completely fine too.

Arlington is BY right now. This fall they will change to SY and magically more players will be playing up on top teams so they're on the correct grade team for college recruiting.

For next fall Arlington has been very transparent. Playing up on age is mainly based on talent and will be the exception. As they said, not some hope for magic.

Q: Can players play up an age group?

A: Playing up is a coaching and technical decision based primarily on the player’s skill level, soccer maturity, and overall development needs. While Arlington Soccer allows flexibility in certain cases, playing up is the exception rather than the rule. Each situation is carefully evaluated by the technical staff to ensure it is in the best interest of both the individual player and the team.

Q: Can a player born between August 1 and September 30 play up if they are in the higher school grade?

A: School grade may be considered as part of the evaluation, but the decision to allow a player to play up is ultimately based on technical criteria including the player’s skill, maturity, and readiness for the older age group. Grade alone does not guarantee that a player will play up.

Plenty of upset parents at Arlington right now.

Upset how?

Who could have guessed that competitive parents would want their kids to play on the correct grade on school team. (for college recruiting)

The same parent is complaining to all of staff and all of the team parents as if it will make a difference. We get it, not everyone is going to be happy, but get over it already

Just wait, it will grow and more parents will complain. Then when rosters are announced and teams are all a single grade parents will go crazy.

And all Arlington needed to do was be honest saying that Aug birthdays will play on the team thats their grade in school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think Arlington's approach makes sense. Our club does not allow play ups to non-1st teams, which makes sense as a policy. They will now allow misaligned August kids to request to play up with their academic year and participate in tryouts normally. For our club, this will make a big difference for the 2nd teams and lower. There are lots of 1st team kids who could make the 2nd or 3rd or 4th team of the year ahead of them and now, for certain kids, that's allowed. It makes complete sense to me. If August/September kids prefer to stay on their existing team even though the kids on it are a grade behind in school (perhaps because they'd rather play on a 1st team than a 2nd one, or perhaps because they're small for their age and don't want to exacerbate the issue), that's completely fine too.

Arlington is BY right now. This fall they will change to SY and magically more players will be playing up on top teams so they're on the correct grade team for college recruiting.

For next fall Arlington has been very transparent. Playing up on age is mainly based on talent and will be the exception. As they said, not some hope for magic.

Q: Can players play up an age group?

A: Playing up is a coaching and technical decision based primarily on the player’s skill level, soccer maturity, and overall development needs. While Arlington Soccer allows flexibility in certain cases, playing up is the exception rather than the rule. Each situation is carefully evaluated by the technical staff to ensure it is in the best interest of both the individual player and the team.

Q: Can a player born between August 1 and September 30 play up if they are in the higher school grade?

A: School grade may be considered as part of the evaluation, but the decision to allow a player to play up is ultimately based on technical criteria including the player’s skill, maturity, and readiness for the older age group. Grade alone does not guarantee that a player will play up.

Plenty of upset parents at Arlington right now.

Upset how?

Who could have guessed that competitive parents would want their kids to play on the correct grade on school team. (for college recruiting)

The same parent is complaining to all of staff and all of the team parents as if it will make a difference. We get it, not everyone is going to be happy, but get over it already

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think Arlington's approach makes sense. Our club does not allow play ups to non-1st teams, which makes sense as a policy. They will now allow misaligned August kids to request to play up with their academic year and participate in tryouts normally. For our club, this will make a big difference for the 2nd teams and lower. There are lots of 1st team kids who could make the 2nd or 3rd or 4th team of the year ahead of them and now, for certain kids, that's allowed. It makes complete sense to me. If August/September kids prefer to stay on their existing team even though the kids on it are a grade behind in school (perhaps because they'd rather play on a 1st team than a 2nd one, or perhaps because they're small for their age and don't want to exacerbate the issue), that's completely fine too.

Arlington is BY right now. This fall they will change to SY and magically more players will be playing up on top teams so they're on the correct grade team for college recruiting.

For next fall Arlington has been very transparent. Playing up on age is mainly based on talent and will be the exception. As they said, not some hope for magic.

Q: Can players play up an age group?

A: Playing up is a coaching and technical decision based primarily on the player’s skill level, soccer maturity, and overall development needs. While Arlington Soccer allows flexibility in certain cases, playing up is the exception rather than the rule. Each situation is carefully evaluated by the technical staff to ensure it is in the best interest of both the individual player and the team.

Q: Can a player born between August 1 and September 30 play up if they are in the higher school grade?

A: School grade may be considered as part of the evaluation, but the decision to allow a player to play up is ultimately based on technical criteria including the player’s skill, maturity, and readiness for the older age group. Grade alone does not guarantee that a player will play up.

Plenty of upset parents at Arlington right now.

Upset how?

Who could have guessed that competitive parents would want their kids to play on the correct grade on school team. (for college recruiting)

The same parent is complaining to all of staff and all of the team parents as if it will make a difference. We get it, not everyone is going to be happy, but get over it already

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An entire Facebook thread with parents recommending Aug/Sept/Nov players play on the team that is their grade in school

https://www.facebook.com/groups/scholarshipsforsocceracademy/posts/25741948872099537/

This one is kind of interesting because you have Aug/Sept/Nov birthday parents and because of BY their kids are currently playing up on a grade older team they want to stay with their current BY team which is a grade older. But most recommend playing on the correct grade in school team. Literally nobody recommended playing down a grade on a younger in school team.

Something else I've noticed is clubs that are in districts whose cutoff is Sept/Nov (New Jersey, Wisconsin, etc) are being very clear that Aug/Sept/Nov birthdays play with their grade in school team. Even if it means playing up. This is probabaly happening because they have 2-3 months of players that could potentially play down and it would cause chaos and be impossible for the club to manage. Everyone seems to use college recruiting as the rational for playing on the team thats your grade in school.

Clubs that aren't listening to parents and think they can dictate which teams Aug/Sept/Nov players will roster on (playing on a grade down team) will have issues.

It's been over a day, thought you were ill (like beyond mental).

You are completely misreading the thread. The person is trying to get their kid to stay on their BY team as they have a kid with a fall birth. Nobody likes change so no surprising. Contributors pointing out clubs generally block playing up.

Lower tier clubs allowing playing up moreso than competitive teams.

Clubs are in the process of pushing as many Aug-Dec birthdays as they can to play on age. Playing up in competitive clubs is for the best of the best, has nothing to do with grade.

No I dont work for the State of Virginia I cant sit online all day not working.

Being in Cali while on this thread all day, nobody suggesting you are from DMV area.

Hahahaha keep trying.

Only a few more months before rosters start being posted for next fall and SY team players are all the same graduating year (grade in school).

Grade just doesn't matter for club. Going to be more playing up off grade than down and you won't be able to find out because the only place that posts grade, ECNL, collects it voluntarily and has about 1 in 5 wrong.

It's over. Leagues said 8/1 and gave guidance that only the best play up. Clubs agreeing and willing to evaluate case by case. Nobody being forced up on top competitive teams.

You really need to get out and speak with other people to get their opinions. 99% of the comments online are for Aug/Sept/Nov birthdays to play on the team thats their grade in school.

It's just you spamming for playing down.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think Arlington's approach makes sense. Our club does not allow play ups to non-1st teams, which makes sense as a policy. They will now allow misaligned August kids to request to play up with their academic year and participate in tryouts normally. For our club, this will make a big difference for the 2nd teams and lower. There are lots of 1st team kids who could make the 2nd or 3rd or 4th team of the year ahead of them and now, for certain kids, that's allowed. It makes complete sense to me. If August/September kids prefer to stay on their existing team even though the kids on it are a grade behind in school (perhaps because they'd rather play on a 1st team than a 2nd one, or perhaps because they're small for their age and don't want to exacerbate the issue), that's completely fine too.

Arlington is BY right now. This fall they will change to SY and magically more players will be playing up on top teams so they're on the correct grade team for college recruiting.

For next fall Arlington has been very transparent. Playing up on age is mainly based on talent and will be the exception. As they said, not some hope for magic.

Q: Can players play up an age group?

A: Playing up is a coaching and technical decision based primarily on the player’s skill level, soccer maturity, and overall development needs. While Arlington Soccer allows flexibility in certain cases, playing up is the exception rather than the rule. Each situation is carefully evaluated by the technical staff to ensure it is in the best interest of both the individual player and the team.

Q: Can a player born between August 1 and September 30 play up if they are in the higher school grade?

A: School grade may be considered as part of the evaluation, but the decision to allow a player to play up is ultimately based on technical criteria including the player’s skill, maturity, and readiness for the older age group. Grade alone does not guarantee that a player will play up.

Plenty of upset parents at Arlington right now.

Upset how?

Who could have guessed that competitive parents would want their kids to play on the correct grade on school team. (for college recruiting)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An entire Facebook thread with parents recommending Aug/Sept/Nov players play on the team that is their grade in school

https://www.facebook.com/groups/scholarshipsforsocceracademy/posts/25741948872099537/

This one is kind of interesting because you have Aug/Sept/Nov birthday parents and because of BY their kids are currently playing up on a grade older team they want to stay with their current BY team which is a grade older. But most recommend playing on the correct grade in school team. Literally nobody recommended playing down a grade on a younger in school team.

Something else I've noticed is clubs that are in districts whose cutoff is Sept/Nov (New Jersey, Wisconsin, etc) are being very clear that Aug/Sept/Nov birthdays play with their grade in school team. Even if it means playing up. This is probabaly happening because they have 2-3 months of players that could potentially play down and it would cause chaos and be impossible for the club to manage. Everyone seems to use college recruiting as the rational for playing on the team thats your grade in school.

Clubs that aren't listening to parents and think they can dictate which teams Aug/Sept/Nov players will roster on (playing on a grade down team) will have issues.

It's been over a day, thought you were ill (like beyond mental).

You are completely misreading the thread. The person is trying to get their kid to stay on their BY team as they have a kid with a fall birth. Nobody likes change so no surprising. Contributors pointing out clubs generally block playing up.

Lower tier clubs allowing playing up moreso than competitive teams.

Clubs are in the process of pushing as many Aug-Dec birthdays as they can to play on age. Playing up in competitive clubs is for the best of the best, has nothing to do with grade.

No I dont work for the State of Virginia I cant sit online all day not working.

Being in Cali while on this thread all day, nobody suggesting you are from DMV area.

Hahahaha keep trying.

Only a few more months before rosters start being posted for next fall and SY team players are all the same graduating year (grade in school).

Grade just doesn't matter for club. Going to be more playing up off grade than down and you won't be able to find out because the only place that posts grade, ECNL, collects it voluntarily and has about 1 in 5 wrong.

It's over. Leagues said 8/1 and gave guidance that only the best play up. Clubs agreeing and willing to evaluate case by case. Nobody being forced up on top competitive teams.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An entire Facebook thread with parents recommending Aug/Sept/Nov players play on the team that is their grade in school

https://www.facebook.com/groups/scholarshipsforsocceracademy/posts/25741948872099537/

This one is kind of interesting because you have Aug/Sept/Nov birthday parents and because of BY their kids are currently playing up on a grade older team they want to stay with their current BY team which is a grade older. But most recommend playing on the correct grade in school team. Literally nobody recommended playing down a grade on a younger in school team.

Something else I've noticed is clubs that are in districts whose cutoff is Sept/Nov (New Jersey, Wisconsin, etc) are being very clear that Aug/Sept/Nov birthdays play with their grade in school team. Even if it means playing up. This is probabaly happening because they have 2-3 months of players that could potentially play down and it would cause chaos and be impossible for the club to manage. Everyone seems to use college recruiting as the rational for playing on the team thats your grade in school.

Clubs that aren't listening to parents and think they can dictate which teams Aug/Sept/Nov players will roster on (playing on a grade down team) will have issues.

It's been over a day, thought you were ill (like beyond mental).

You are completely misreading the thread. The person is trying to get their kid to stay on their BY team as they have a kid with a fall birth. Nobody likes change so no surprising. Contributors pointing out clubs generally block playing up.

Lower tier clubs allowing playing up moreso than competitive teams.

Clubs are in the process of pushing as many Aug-Dec birthdays as they can to play on age. Playing up in competitive clubs is for the best of the best, has nothing to do with grade.

No I dont work for the State of Virginia I cant sit online all day not working.

Being in Cali while on this thread all day, nobody suggesting you are from DMV area.

Hahahaha keep trying.

Only a few more months before rosters start being posted for next fall and SY team players are all the same graduating year (grade in school).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think Arlington's approach makes sense. Our club does not allow play ups to non-1st teams, which makes sense as a policy. They will now allow misaligned August kids to request to play up with their academic year and participate in tryouts normally. For our club, this will make a big difference for the 2nd teams and lower. There are lots of 1st team kids who could make the 2nd or 3rd or 4th team of the year ahead of them and now, for certain kids, that's allowed. It makes complete sense to me. If August/September kids prefer to stay on their existing team even though the kids on it are a grade behind in school (perhaps because they'd rather play on a 1st team than a 2nd one, or perhaps because they're small for their age and don't want to exacerbate the issue), that's completely fine too.

Arlington is BY right now. This fall they will change to SY and magically more players will be playing up on top teams so they're on the correct grade team for college recruiting.

For next fall Arlington has been very transparent. Playing up on age is mainly based on talent and will be the exception. As they said, not some hope for magic.

Q: Can players play up an age group?

A: Playing up is a coaching and technical decision based primarily on the player’s skill level, soccer maturity, and overall development needs. While Arlington Soccer allows flexibility in certain cases, playing up is the exception rather than the rule. Each situation is carefully evaluated by the technical staff to ensure it is in the best interest of both the individual player and the team.

Q: Can a player born between August 1 and September 30 play up if they are in the higher school grade?

A: School grade may be considered as part of the evaluation, but the decision to allow a player to play up is ultimately based on technical criteria including the player’s skill, maturity, and readiness for the older age group. Grade alone does not guarantee that a player will play up.

Plenty of upset parents at Arlington right now.

Upset how?

Who could have guessed that competitive parents would want their kids to play on the correct grade on school team. (for college recruiting)

Are you are now reversing and admitting that Arlington will not play top players by grade?

Not at all crazy interpretation of PP.

I will take that as a yes, Arlington's actual posting the playing up is based on merit is sincere.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think Arlington's approach makes sense. Our club does not allow play ups to non-1st teams, which makes sense as a policy. They will now allow misaligned August kids to request to play up with their academic year and participate in tryouts normally. For our club, this will make a big difference for the 2nd teams and lower. There are lots of 1st team kids who could make the 2nd or 3rd or 4th team of the year ahead of them and now, for certain kids, that's allowed. It makes complete sense to me. If August/September kids prefer to stay on their existing team even though the kids on it are a grade behind in school (perhaps because they'd rather play on a 1st team than a 2nd one, or perhaps because they're small for their age and don't want to exacerbate the issue), that's completely fine too.

Arlington is BY right now. This fall they will change to SY and magically more players will be playing up on top teams so they're on the correct grade team for college recruiting.

For next fall Arlington has been very transparent. Playing up on age is mainly based on talent and will be the exception. As they said, not some hope for magic.

Q: Can players play up an age group?

A: Playing up is a coaching and technical decision based primarily on the player’s skill level, soccer maturity, and overall development needs. While Arlington Soccer allows flexibility in certain cases, playing up is the exception rather than the rule. Each situation is carefully evaluated by the technical staff to ensure it is in the best interest of both the individual player and the team.

Q: Can a player born between August 1 and September 30 play up if they are in the higher school grade?

A: School grade may be considered as part of the evaluation, but the decision to allow a player to play up is ultimately based on technical criteria including the player’s skill, maturity, and readiness for the older age group. Grade alone does not guarantee that a player will play up.

Plenty of upset parents at Arlington right now.

Upset how?

Who could have guessed that competitive parents would want their kids to play on the correct grade on school team. (for college recruiting)

Are you are now reversing and admitting that Arlington will not play top players by grade?

Not at all crazy interpretation of PP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think Arlington's approach makes sense. Our club does not allow play ups to non-1st teams, which makes sense as a policy. They will now allow misaligned August kids to request to play up with their academic year and participate in tryouts normally. For our club, this will make a big difference for the 2nd teams and lower. There are lots of 1st team kids who could make the 2nd or 3rd or 4th team of the year ahead of them and now, for certain kids, that's allowed. It makes complete sense to me. If August/September kids prefer to stay on their existing team even though the kids on it are a grade behind in school (perhaps because they'd rather play on a 1st team than a 2nd one, or perhaps because they're small for their age and don't want to exacerbate the issue), that's completely fine too.

Arlington is BY right now. This fall they will change to SY and magically more players will be playing up on top teams so they're on the correct grade team for college recruiting.

For next fall Arlington has been very transparent. Playing up on age is mainly based on talent and will be the exception. As they said, not some hope for magic.

Q: Can players play up an age group?

A: Playing up is a coaching and technical decision based primarily on the player’s skill level, soccer maturity, and overall development needs. While Arlington Soccer allows flexibility in certain cases, playing up is the exception rather than the rule. Each situation is carefully evaluated by the technical staff to ensure it is in the best interest of both the individual player and the team.

Q: Can a player born between August 1 and September 30 play up if they are in the higher school grade?

A: School grade may be considered as part of the evaluation, but the decision to allow a player to play up is ultimately based on technical criteria including the player’s skill, maturity, and readiness for the older age group. Grade alone does not guarantee that a player will play up.

Plenty of upset parents at Arlington right now.

Upset how?

Who could have guessed that competitive parents would want their kids to play on the correct grade on school team. (for college recruiting)

Are you are now reversing and admitting that Arlington will not play top players by grade?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An entire Facebook thread with parents recommending Aug/Sept/Nov players play on the team that is their grade in school

https://www.facebook.com/groups/scholarshipsforsocceracademy/posts/25741948872099537/

This one is kind of interesting because you have Aug/Sept/Nov birthday parents and because of BY their kids are currently playing up on a grade older team they want to stay with their current BY team which is a grade older. But most recommend playing on the correct grade in school team. Literally nobody recommended playing down a grade on a younger in school team.

Something else I've noticed is clubs that are in districts whose cutoff is Sept/Nov (New Jersey, Wisconsin, etc) are being very clear that Aug/Sept/Nov birthdays play with their grade in school team. Even if it means playing up. This is probabaly happening because they have 2-3 months of players that could potentially play down and it would cause chaos and be impossible for the club to manage. Everyone seems to use college recruiting as the rational for playing on the team thats your grade in school.

Clubs that aren't listening to parents and think they can dictate which teams Aug/Sept/Nov players will roster on (playing on a grade down team) will have issues.

It's been over a day, thought you were ill (like beyond mental).

You are completely misreading the thread. The person is trying to get their kid to stay on their BY team as they have a kid with a fall birth. Nobody likes change so no surprising. Contributors pointing out clubs generally block playing up.

Lower tier clubs allowing playing up moreso than competitive teams.

Clubs are in the process of pushing as many Aug-Dec birthdays as they can to play on age. Playing up in competitive clubs is for the best of the best, has nothing to do with grade.

No I dont work for the State of Virginia I cant sit online all day not working.

Being in Cali while on this thread all day, nobody suggesting you are from DMV area.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think Arlington's approach makes sense. Our club does not allow play ups to non-1st teams, which makes sense as a policy. They will now allow misaligned August kids to request to play up with their academic year and participate in tryouts normally. For our club, this will make a big difference for the 2nd teams and lower. There are lots of 1st team kids who could make the 2nd or 3rd or 4th team of the year ahead of them and now, for certain kids, that's allowed. It makes complete sense to me. If August/September kids prefer to stay on their existing team even though the kids on it are a grade behind in school (perhaps because they'd rather play on a 1st team than a 2nd one, or perhaps because they're small for their age and don't want to exacerbate the issue), that's completely fine too.

Arlington is BY right now. This fall they will change to SY and magically more players will be playing up on top teams so they're on the correct grade team for college recruiting.

For next fall Arlington has been very transparent. Playing up on age is mainly based on talent and will be the exception. As they said, not some hope for magic.

Q: Can players play up an age group?

A: Playing up is a coaching and technical decision based primarily on the player’s skill level, soccer maturity, and overall development needs. While Arlington Soccer allows flexibility in certain cases, playing up is the exception rather than the rule. Each situation is carefully evaluated by the technical staff to ensure it is in the best interest of both the individual player and the team.

Q: Can a player born between August 1 and September 30 play up if they are in the higher school grade?

A: School grade may be considered as part of the evaluation, but the decision to allow a player to play up is ultimately based on technical criteria including the player’s skill, maturity, and readiness for the older age group. Grade alone does not guarantee that a player will play up.

Plenty of upset parents at Arlington right now.

Upset how?

Who could have guessed that competitive parents would want their kids to play on the correct grade on school team. (for college recruiting)