Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When is USA soccer going to change back to their old cutoff dates?

They won't. The best that could be hoped for is a change back for certain levels of play below U12 or so.

Disagree. I think in 1-2 years, they'll reverse this decision.

I'd like it if they did, as this was a solution in search of a tiny problem limited to the very tip of the player pyramid. But it would throw things into the same disarray again . . .

I can't imagine they'd change the whole system back, but I could see them allowing younger age groups more flexibility, just as they (sort of) plan for rec leagues.

Why would they allow younger age groups more flexibility?

They might not. But it would be more likely than changing the entire system back to Aug-July years.

At older ages, the argument for birth-year groups is sounder. That's where you start having some truly elite play, maybe even in tournaments with foreign teams.

At younger ages, you're still introducing the game and trying to make it a good environment. Playing with classmates can help.

If they really wanted to be smart, they'd come up with some system that prevents the eighth-grade "trap."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When is USA soccer going to change back to their old cutoff dates?

They won't. The best that could be hoped for is a change back for certain levels of play below U12 or so.

Disagree. I think in 1-2 years, they'll reverse this decision.

I'd like it if they did, as this was a solution in search of a tiny problem limited to the very tip of the player pyramid. But it would throw things into the same disarray again . . .

I can't imagine they'd change the whole system back, but I could see them allowing younger age groups more flexibility, just as they (sort of) plan for rec leagues.

Why would they allow younger age groups more flexibility?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When is USA soccer going to change back to their old cutoff dates?

They won't. The best that could be hoped for is a change back for certain levels of play below U12 or so.

Disagree. I think in 1-2 years, they'll reverse this decision.

I'd like it if they did, as this was a solution in search of a tiny problem limited to the very tip of the player pyramid. But it would throw things into the same disarray again . . .

I can't imagine they'd change the whole system back, but I could see them allowing younger age groups more flexibility, just as they (sort of) plan for rec leagues.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When is USA soccer going to change back to their old cutoff dates?

They won't. The best that could be hoped for is a change back for certain levels of play below U12 or so.

Disagree. I think in 1-2 years, they'll reverse this decision.

I'd like it if they did, as this was a solution in search of a tiny problem limited to the very tip of the player pyramid. But it would throw things into the same disarray again . . .

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When is USA soccer going to change back to their old cutoff dates?

They won't. The best that could be hoped for is a change back for certain levels of play below U12 or so.

Disagree. I think in 1-2 years, they'll reverse this decision.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In our club, they have said that 2005's will play U12.

That's what they should be. There was some initial confusion in the announcement by USYS. What matters for most clubs is the year league play ends - given the August-June soccer "season" for leagues around here, next Fall is the "2017 season". That means someone born in 2005 is U12 (easy - 2017-2005=12).

For DA, they may play a "season" or tournaments that end in 2016, which means that 2005 kids would be playing U11, at least until the end of 2016.

The DA will probably switch to the new policy NEXT season. They were frankly caught unprepared this season. Switching will mean adding U19 play -- otherwise, some players would age out of the program before they go to college.

Is it worth it for 2005s to go to U12 development academy tryouts? At one point in winter, clubs had it advertised as 2004/2005. Now I see many have changed it to just 2004 on their websites.

If they're really good, I'd think it couldn't hurt. At least get him on the radar for next year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In our club, they have said that 2005's will play U12.

That's what they should be. There was some initial confusion in the announcement by USYS. What matters for most clubs is the year league play ends - given the August-June soccer "season" for leagues around here, next Fall is the "2017 season". That means someone born in 2005 is U12 (easy - 2017-2005=12).

For DA, they may play a "season" or tournaments that end in 2016, which means that 2005 kids would be playing U11, at least until the end of 2016.

The DA will probably switch to the new policy NEXT season. They were frankly caught unprepared this season. Switching will mean adding U19 play -- otherwise, some players would age out of the program before they go to college.

Is it worth it for 2005s to go to U12 development academy tryouts? At one point in winter, clubs had it advertised as 2004/2005. Now I see many have changed it to just 2004 on their websites.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In our club, they have said that 2005's will play U12.

That's what they should be. There was some initial confusion in the announcement by USYS. What matters for most clubs is the year league play ends - given the August-June soccer "season" for leagues around here, next Fall is the "2017 season". That means someone born in 2005 is U12 (easy - 2017-2005=12).

For DA, they may play a "season" or tournaments that end in 2016, which means that 2005 kids would be playing U11, at least until the end of 2016.

The DA will probably switch to the new policy NEXT season. They were frankly caught unprepared this season. Switching will mean adding U19 play -- otherwise, some players would age out of the program before they go to college.

Anonymous wrote:When is USA soccer going to change back to their old cutoff dates?

They won't. The best that could be hoped for is a change back for certain levels of play below U12 or so.

Anonymous wrote:When is USA soccer going to change back to their old cutoff dates?

Not in time to help your August born kid this year.

When is USA soccer going to change back to their old cutoff dates?

Anonymous wrote:Looks like Arlington has come out with a fairly strong policy against playing up. Players must get permission from Age Group Director to even attend an older group tryout and no one plays up unless the technical staff determines the player's "developmental needs won't be met within their own age group."

IIRC, that's always been Arlington's policy, they just haven't really enforced it that well.

One year, maybe about 5-7 years ago, they didn't allow playing up at all. Kids went to other clubs.

Anonymous wrote:In our club, they have said that 2005's will play U12.

That's what they should be. There was some initial confusion in the announcement by USYS. What matters for most clubs is the year league play ends - given the August-June soccer "season" for leagues around here, next Fall is the "2017 season". That means someone born in 2005 is U12 (easy - 2017-2005=12).

For DA, they may play a "season" or tournaments that end in 2016, which means that 2005 kids would be playing U11, at least until the end of 2016.

Anonymous wrote:In our club, they have said that 2005's will play U12.

Ours too for the travel teams--But for Development Academy U12s are 2004 for next year.

That has been confusing everyone a bit.

In our club, they have said that 2005's will play U12.