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**Guest** · 06-20-2023, 11:14 AM

You typically have to find a composite team for the final years with a trapped player. Find the schools he is interested in and target/target/target which also means don't get too caught up with the tournaments/showcases etc./he just needs to be playing. Being seen randomly at a tournament is not a strategy. With our 3 we had them compile the list and then did a few visits/camps to get a real flavor of the school/program and if they felt it would be a good fit. You usually can't get that type of insight on a regular ol visit/walk around campus at an open house etc.

Each kid has also had coaches at their league games which also indicates if both parties are interested there are various ways to "seen".

**Guest** · 06-21-2023, 07:37 AM

I am also very interested to hear how this works at a club level. Do leagues allow kids to play down their senior year as most of their teammates have graduated the year prior or would the kid need to find a U19 team?

**Guest** · 06-21-2023, 08:14 AM

Originally posted by Guest View Post

I am also very interested to hear how this works at a club level. Do leagues allow kids to play down their senior year as most of their teammates have graduated the year prior or would the kid need to find a U19 team?

This whole age group switch has had a horrible effect on so many kids. Look at Girls RL teams and you'll not that there are usually 40% or more are trapped players. Look at ECNL teams, its usually 1-2 players.

Once you get to the recruiting years, the trapped players are pushed aside at showcases because the older kids need to be seen first. Then those kids get committed and they stop showing up, stop trying.

If the girls side is college focused in youth soccer, it needs to be graduation year or even allow composite teams for U16 and up.

**Guest** · 06-21-2023, 08:54 AM

Thank you, but this did not answer my question :)

"Do leagues allow kids to play down in the Fall/Spring of their senior year as most of their teammates have graduated the year prior (prior Spring) or would the kid need to find a U19 team?"

**Guest** · 06-21-2023, 10:08 AM

Originally posted by Guest View Post

Thank you, but this did not answer my question :)

"Do leagues allow kids to play down in the Fall/Spring of their senior year as most of their teammates have graduated the year prior (prior Spring) or would the kid need to find a U19 team?"

No, you can not play down an age group against players a year younger. It is set up by birth year, not school calendar year. Thats why it goes from U17 to U19.

**Guest** · 06-21-2023, 09:44 PM

I'm amazed that you still manage your kids soccer interest. He's 17 if he can't figure out what to do good luck in life. Let him figure out things on his own and this will help him make better decisions in the future no matter what he chooses. Just enjoy watching the games that never gets old.

**Guest** · 06-21-2023, 10:52 PM

My advice- concentrate on academics. Club sports is the road to no where! You wasted tens of thoousands on dollars so your son can not play in college! LOSER!

**Guest** · 06-22-2023, 07:56 AM

Originally posted by Guest View Post

Hi, I have a son that is a trapped player. Trapped Player = Child born between Sept-Dec and thus plays with boys that tend to be one grade higher. He is currently in 10th grade where his club team is mainly comprised of 11th graders. The challenge is what happens when he is an 11th grader. Do kids continue to play Spring season when they are seniors when they know what their plans are for college? Do they continue to play risking injury for college? Are they willing to pay for out of state tournaments? Do tournaments allow trapped players to play down? (I am specifically referring to non-MLS teams that don't have a Fall season)

I am looking for any advice from parents that have gone through a similar situation and what they have found. I am just wondering if I need to do something specific to plan for this to give my son the best opportunities to play as many showcase tournaments as possible for recruiting.

Most teams that don't have a lot of players going to play in college will struggle to stay together senior year. Even when they do participation is sporadic. You can find teams but it may not be with his current team/club. You are right to be worried about showcasing because by spring of senior year those kids are done and teams often won't go to event. How many juniors they have can make a difference. Your son may have to do more ID events to get in front of coaches

**Guest** · 06-22-2023, 07:57 AM

Originally posted by Guest View Post

I am also very interested to hear how this works at a club level. Do leagues allow kids to play down their senior year as most of their teammates have graduated the year prior or would the kid need to find a U19 team?

No they do not. Trapped kids get screwed in 8th grade and HS.

**Guest** · 06-22-2023, 07:58 AM

Originally posted by Guest View Post

My advice- concentrate on academics. Club sports is the road to no where! You wasted tens of thoousands on dollars so your son can not play in college! LOSER!

Super helpful

**Guest** · 06-22-2023, 10:30 AM

MLSN allows 3 kids to play down per age group. Just like MLSN also allows kids to play for school. It would be amazing if people got educated.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext/re...cal-standards/

**Guest** · 06-22-2023, 10:44 AM

Originally posted by Guest View Post

MLSN allows 3 kids to play down per age group. Just like MLSN also allows kids to play for school. It would be amazing if people got educated.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext/re...cal-standards/

Right because a kid looking for a team is going MLSN his senior year. Educated would be understanding this is insane to think is possible which you seem to have missed some class on.

Educate us on how this kid is going to break that lineup out of nowhere?

**Guest** · 06-22-2023, 12:47 PM

Originally posted by Guest View Post

MLSN allows 3 kids to play down per age group. Just like MLSN also allows kids to play for school. It would be amazing if people got educated.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext/re...cal-standards/

Lol play for private schools and only with the clubs permission. And playing down is more younger/smaller kids when puberty causes huge size disparities. It's not for trapped players

**Guest** · 06-22-2023, 01:35 PM

Originally posted by Guest View Post

Super helpful

It was super helpful if you are actually dealing with reality. But you losers on this site to no realize your kids chances of playing in college at any level is about 7%. So if there are 20 kids on a roster, 1.4 kids will play in college. You are all delusional! Take the money you spend on soccer and put it toward bachelors and advanced college degrees. You are chasing something your kid will never achieve. If he is "stuck" it means he is not exceptional and will not play college. WAKE UP!!!!!