Play ups? How many years up is too many

[Unregistered]

If you DD or DS has been asked to play up for a showcase or tournament how many years up is too many?

I think everyone would agree that a U17 playing on a U18 is okay. Some may agree that a U16 playing with a U18 is okay...

But what about U14 or U15 playing with U18?

Lets try to keep this on topic and I don't want to hear the blow hards that think their kid can play at any level no matter the age.

[Unregistered]

If you DD or DS has been asked to play up for a showcase or tournament how many years up is too many?

I think everyone would agree that a U17 playing on a U18 is okay. Some may agree that a U16 playing with a U18 is okay...

But what about U14 or U15 playing with U18?

Lets try to keep this on topic and I don't want to hear the blow hards that think their kid can play at any level no matter the age.

I don't think it's a big deal. It would be a great experience as the speed of play would be much faster. If it's only for certain tournaments then I say go for it. I wouldn't do it fulltime but for touraments I think it's great. My dd is U14 and has played U17 quite a few times and it has been great for her development. I see no problem with a U16 playing fulltime on U18.

[Unregistered]

No take on it

If you DD or DS has been asked to play up for a showcase or tournament how many years up is too many?

I think everyone would agree that a U17 playing on a U18 is okay. Some may agree that a U16 playing with a U18 is okay...

But what about U14 or U15 playing with U18?

Lets try to keep this on topic and I don't want to hear the blow hards that think their kid can play at any level no matter the age.

Two years is definitely stretching it. One is often too much. Why? Particularly in showcases the refs just let them play. I can't begin to catalog the injuries I've seen on my DD's team when she did showcases. Nasty, less talented players not constrained by the refs. Don't do it. You may not realize just how much stronger a couple of years' growth and weight makes when you don't see it first hand. Good never really comes of it.

[Unregistered]

I don't think it's a big deal. It would be a great experience as the speed of play would be much faster. If it's only for certain tournaments then I say go for it. I wouldn't do it fulltime but for touraments I think it's great. My dd is U14 and has played U17 quite a few times and it has been great for her development. I see no problem with a U16 playing fulltime on U18.

I disagree with the above poster.

Speed of play could be a lot slower depending on what team you are playing for full time. Quality could be worse even especially if they are asking players two years below to play.

Your question is referring to showcases.

Once or twice U-15 and below for experience but really its a waste of money. Coaches really aren't too thrilled when they go to the 2014 grad year game and find out a 2016 is there. They can't contact them or talk to them anyway.

Waste of money and time with potential to get injured or take time from players who really need exposure.

The above kids DD is a U-14 and playing U-17.....guesting maybe but again its not good for development in the least. Physically there is a difference so habit are formed along with inability to challenge themselves outside of surviving or not making mistakes.

Playing up is fine when young under U-13 but even there it really matters how you want to shape your kid. Always playing to survive or be a GOOD player or be brilliant on their own level and learn to continually advance their game.

Coaches don't care about a U-13 or U-14 who is playing up. They care about a U-18 come time to graduate is head and shoulders above their other U-18 peers not just prepared to play against stronger or bigger.

Careful on taking advice from a parent who promotes that kind of stuff. I've coached for over 15 years on all different levels. I'm sure you could find a parent that disagrees but find me a coach that would put their daughter through that.

[Unregistered]

I disagree with the above poster.

Speed of play could be a lot slower depending on what team you are playing for full time. Quality could be worse even especially if they are asking players two years below to play.

Your question is referring to showcases.

Once or twice U-15 and below for experience but really its a waste of money. Coaches really aren't too thrilled when they go to the 2014 grad year game and find out a 2016 is there. They can't contact them or talk to them anyway.

Waste of money and time with potential to get injured or take time from players who really need exposure.

The above kids DD is a U-14 and playing U-17.....guesting maybe but again its not good for development in the least. Physically there is a difference so habit are formed along with inability to challenge themselves outside of surviving or not making mistakes.

Playing up is fine when young under U-13 but even there it really matters how you want to shape your kid. Always playing to survive or be a GOOD player or be brilliant on their own level and learn to continually advance their game.

Coaches don't care about a U-13 or U-14 who is playing up. They care about a U-18 come time to graduate is head and shoulders above their other U-18 peers not just prepared to play against stronger or bigger.

Careful on taking advice from a parent who promotes that kind of stuff. I've coached for over 15 years on all different levels. I'm sure you could find a parent that disagrees but find me a coach that would put their daughter through that.

Coaches at college showcases aren't looking for U18 players often. 90% of girls U18 players that are talented have already signed. Girls typically sign their U17 year and some their U16 year.

I guess Mia Hamm never should have joined the National Team at U15. Not sure how she possibly survived................

Nothing wrong with playing up on occasion, especially if it's a talented team. If the speed of play is not faster then apparently it's a really bad college showcase or a really bad U18 team.

[Unregistered]

I don't see the big deal. A freshman playing with a bunch of seniors? Especially if it is just for a tournament. Sounds like a great opportunity for the play-up.

[Unregistered]

I don't see the big deal. A freshman playing with a bunch of seniors? Especially if it is just for a tournament. Sounds like a great opportunity for the play-up.

What would you say to 8th graders playing with seniors in a showcase?

[Unregistered]

Looks like the responses you got we're for DDs. A U14B or U15B player playing up to u18s is a stretch unless the younger player is pretty physically mature. 18s are men, 14s are boys. My boys started as freshmen in high school and they seemed pretty little compared to their last years and college. They played up a year or two as guest players from time to time, but never a 3 or 4 year gap. The difference in club is that everybody's s older, faster, stronger and usually better. A competitive U18 game can get pretty physical.

[Unregistered]

What would you say to 8th graders playing with seniors in a showcase?

Depends on the kid and how physically mature she is. At u18 you will encounter big, fast mature girls playing a physical style of soccer. This is especially true at a showcase where thr officials let almost everything go. Physical intimidation is also part of the game at u18 as players will commit hard fouls to send a message. This is especially true between a good forward and defender as they work on each other over the course of a game each looking for any edge. On the bright side even if the play is more physical it won't be as dirty as the play your kid is used to at u14.

One other thing to expect is for her teammates to be much quicker to get on her if she isn't playing well or working hard. Not in a derogatory fashion but to remind her what level they expect from their teammates. The only kids left by u18 are the ones getting ready for college soccer or still looking for a chance and they can be pretty focused.

My daughter played u18 premier at u16 and had a great time and could have done it at u15 but was not physically mature enough to do it at u14. A showcase maybe but she couldn't have done a full season.

[Unregistered]

What would you say to 8th graders playing with seniors in a showcase?

I see no problem with it as long as it is just on occasion.

[Unregistered]

I think it is case by case. There were 16 and 17 year olds playing with the Portland Rain with and against grown women who were much bigger in size and very physical. I think it just depends.

[Unregistered]

I think it is case by case. There were 16 and 17 year olds playing with the Portland Rain with and against grown women who were much bigger in size and very physical. I think it just depends.

The Portland Rain were garbage and they cared very little about development or safety of the players so this posting doesn't mean much.

[Unregistered]

The Portland Rain were garbage and they cared very little about development or safety of the players so this posting doesn't mean much.

So you base your knowledge on your child playing with them or watching them? Playing up is playing up whether you have classified it as a quality team or not. And, I disagree with you. It is a case by case basis.

[OrSoccerMom]

The Portland Rain were garbage and they cared very little about development or safety of the players so this posting doesn't mean much.

Okay I have to disagree with this. My child participated with the Rain through the ODP program this past summer and absolutely loved it. She enjoyed the entire experience from training to actually playing and she had a great level respect for Janine. I respect that you had a bad experience but our experience was very different than yours. WPSL is a very short season and the teams are thrown together last minute with a variety of college players home for the summer and post collegiate players and a couple of ODP kids thrown in the mix. I found the training to be very good. The adult players had savvy and the younger player were able to learn from them. Sorry if your experience was different. My DD is hoping that there will be a Rain team this year as it was fun.

[Unregistered]

What would you say to 8th graders playing with seniors in a showcase?

Probably not a good idea, but it depends on the player and team. My daughters are small so I would not allow it. There are so many rough hs girls teams and players, and I have seen so many vicious injuries that I would not recommend anyone take a risk.

I am guessing you are talking about FCP as some have mentioned on another thread? The cold causes more injuries because the muscles are tighter.

One of my daughters did play up one year (some tournaments) in 8th grade and that was ok for her. She did not like playing up 2 years though which she did for a couple of games. Depends on the situation. The summer before 9th grade they are trying out against seniors, but hopefully in a controlled setting depending on the skill level.

HS teams really vary as far as roughness, so do you trust the coach to protect your kid?