“Birth year initiative” no more?

[Unregistered]

Heard there is a meeting, going on this week, in California to discuss getting rid of the birth year initiative and going back to the way it was a few years ago.

Anyone else hear this? From a credible source.

This would really mess with the .001 percent that might get to a US Soccer camp...

Kids (the 99.99999%) not going to play on the US team can actually play soccer with their friends and classmates again? What a concept!!!

[Unregistered]

Heard there is a meeting, going on this week, in California to discuss getting rid of the birth year initiative and going back to the way it was a few years ago.

Anyone else hear this? From a credible source.

This would really mess with the .001 percent that might get to a US Soccer camp...

Kids (the 99.99999%) not going to play on the US team can actually play soccer with their friends and classmates again? What a concept!!!

Says the parent whose kid was older than the others with non-birth year rules.

It’s actually better the current way for developing and tracking talent. It’s more then just the 1%. The better kids are playing up a year or two anyway. No hiding the older kids that are really just average players.

Soccer development at clubs vs HS soccer (classmates) are two very different concepts.

[Unregistered]

Heard there is a meeting, going on this week, in California to discuss getting rid of the birth year initiative and going back to the way it was a few years ago.

Anyone else hear this? From a credible source.

This would really mess with the .001 percent that might get to a US Soccer camp...

Kids (the 99.99999%) not going to play on the US team can actually play soccer with their friends and classmates again? What a concept!!!

FAKE NEWS, makes too much sense so US Soccer would never do it

[Unregistered]

Someone pee in your birth year kool aid???

Relax BRO!

[Unregistered]

The birth year change, at anything below DA was a huge mistake. It blew up a huge number of teams, even a small number of clubs, and helped drive away numerous kids from the sport (admittedly mostly lower level kids but they count too). That being said I'm not sure that I am up to switching back and going through that anguish yet again.

[Unregistered]

It won't happen soon or fast. i thought when they first announced the birth year change, they announced it a year and half early so clubs had time to adjust and start early voluntarily. At this point in time, I doubt we will see any changes for the up coming tryout season.

[Unregistered]

So who is being represented at this meeting of the minds?
This is like the 2nd or 3rd meeting this year that someone announced on TS to be discussing this topic — not doubting your source, but doesn’t seem things go anywhere. I don’t care either way. But let’s get on with it already. Make a decision and move on.

[Unregistered]

Going back to to school year to have play dates with classmates at the youngest levels is fun, but IMO it sounds like a great idea for rec programs

I wouldn't put anything past US Soccer because they are still promoting/researching the "bio-banding" initiative....which groups players via current and projected physical maturity.

Imagine bio banding ppl looking at Messi and going "nope too small, stay here in this group with your size appropriate classmates"?!....the opposite situation with players like Harry Kane and Jaime Vardy who more needed time to mature

[Unregistered]

How about instead of all these different changes to the grouping of kids for development they focus more on actual development? It seems US Soccer is more interested in creating a faster way of doing things without actually doing anything. If they put half the time/money/effort into policing bad trainers and clubs and creating a true training environment instead of this garbage maybe the men's team could make it out of group stage and the women could continue to dominate.

[Unregistered]

The birth year change, at anything below DA was a huge mistake. It blew up a huge number of teams, even a small number of clubs, and helped drive away numerous kids from the sport (admittedly mostly lower level kids but they count too). That being said I'm not sure that I am up to switching back and going through that anguish yet again.

It helped my kid tremendously, and came in at exactly the right time.

Before age group change, my kid was just average, after the change, my girl was a true stand out on the field. Thank you US soccer for fixing your previous mistake!

[Unregistered]

Says the parent whose kid was older than the others with non-birth year rules.

It’s actually better the current way for developing and tracking talent. It’s more then just the 1%. The better kids are playing up a year or two anyway. No hiding the older kids that are really just average players.

Soccer development at clubs vs HS soccer (classmates) are two very different concepts.

How is it better the current way for developing and tracking talent? Is calling them "03" somehow that much easier to deal than calling them "U17"? The only benefit to anyone is in selecting the YNTs, which is just the 1%.

For the rest of the players, going back to Aug-July makes the most sense for college recruiting. In the current birth-year system, you get young 8th graders who have no fall soccer season (club or HS) and young 11th graders playing on U18/19 teams with no motivation to participate in showcases. Going back to Aug-July makes far more sense for these players.

[Unregistered]

How is it better the current way for developing and tracking talent? Is calling them "03" somehow that much easier to deal than calling them "U17"? The only benefit to anyone is in selecting the YNTs, which is just the 1%.

For the rest of the players, going back to Aug-July makes the most sense for college recruiting. In the current birth-year system, you get young 8th graders who have no fall soccer season (club or HS) and young 11th graders playing on U18/19 teams with no motivation to participate in showcases. Going back to Aug-July makes far more sense for these players.

Why Aug-Jul?

[Unregistered]

Why Aug-Jul?

Only 3 % of HS players end up playing in college.

So if someone say Aug-Jul I’m assuming their Aug kid is not making it into college.

[Unregistered]

Only 3 % of HS players end up playing in college.

So if someone say Aug-Jul I’m assuming their Aug kid is not making it into college.

Not sure I understand; what makes August the proper delineation point?

[Unregistered]

You cannot go by the Aug-Jul because not every state groups the kids that way ... easiest way to do it is by graduation year ... lax has been doing this along with other sports for years now ... maybe people should take note.