These crazy parents these days will try to give their kids every artificial handicap known to mankind so they can compete or standout. Holding back in middle school solely for athletics is garbage. The truly good ones don't need this crutch to compete. If you want to start them a year later in kindergarten, go for it, but don't put that scarlet letter on a kid once they are in middle school and are showing a little promise. I truly think its done quite often to fulfill the parents ego. Sad.

 

Obviously we disagree strongly with this topic. It's part of what makes this site so great as we all know.

 

I will agree with one thing, if it's possible to start them late in Kindergarten, then go that route.

 

I still just go back to it's only an issue to the outside world if the child also happens to be an athlete. If it's a Chess Club member, Chorus, Band, Speech and Debate or a child that's a student only; then it's not a problem because quite frankly, nobody cares.

 

I also don't have a problem with holding kids back simply because it's clearly stated that so long as they don't turn 19 before August 1, then they are eligible. Now, if they turn 19 before August 1 and try every way imagineable to work around the rule, then I totally agree with your feelings.

 

You talk about parents making decisions about their kids for their own ego. I know some parents who have had a child struggle academically & qualify for special education services, but have declined because of that ego thing you speak of. I don't feel, I know that is done all too often & THAT is sad. Not only would they qualify for special education services, but that in turn means they could also qualify to be held back. They choose neither because of perception.

I think it really only helps in terms of kids being physically and mentally ready early in their high school years. I think the advantages of a senior that had been held back previously are a little overblown. Not too much difference physically or mentally in an18 or 19 year old in my opinion.

 

Speaking from my own experience I can say that I could have benefitted in a big way. I turned 17 in the latter half of my senior season and finished the year at 6' , 175lbs., at least in the roster listing. One year later at 6'2" , 215lbs. I think I may have been a better player. Two years later I would have started the season at 18 and been eligible. At 6'2" ,230 and waaaay stronger than two years prior, things would have been very,very different.

 

We are talking man vs. boy difference. That 19 year old may be competing against a 14 year old sophomore. No doubt there is an advantage.

These crazy parents these days will try to give their kids every artificial handicap known to mankind so they can compete or standout. Holding back in middle school solely for athletics is garbage. The truly good ones don't need this crutch to compete. If you want to start them a year later in kindergarten, go for it, but don't put that scarlet letter on a kid once they are in middle school and are showing a little promise. I truly think its done quite often to fulfill the parents ego. Sad.

 

I see your a KY fan, do you not want A. Wiggins or Karl Towns bc they were held back, how about Nerlans Noel another one that was held back. All three of these guys reclassified back when they saw it was beneficial for them and there family. The list goes on and on of "truly good ones" that were held back.

 

This is what I don't get about people that are so against this is, as parents aren't we suppose to do what ever we can to help our kids out? Don't we buy them Jordan's and underarmour, $300 bats gets them hitting and pitching lessons when they could probably get by with out any of that. Then when a parent does everyone wants to throw up how its their parents ego. I tend to think its just parents trying to do what ever they can to help out there kids, and I respect the heck out of that. I just wish I was smart enough to do it years ago.

About like some of these parents that start their kids too early in Kindergarten bc their child is considered "advanced" bc they can count to 10 in Spanish from watching Dora The Explorer everyday, right?

 

I did it with my two oldest (jr. at NewCath & 8th grader), because grade school tuition was cheaper than daycare.

I did it with my two oldest (jr. at NewCath & 8th grader), because grade school tuition was cheaper than daycare.

 

Lawnboy and his ego!!

Lawnboy and his ego!!

 

No....my pocket book. :greedy:

Obviously we disagree strongly with this topic. It's part of what makes this site so great as we all know.

 

I will agree with one thing, if it's possible to start them late in Kindergarten, then go that route.

 

I still just go back to it's only an issue to the outside world if the child also happens to be an athlete. If it's a Chess Club member, Chorus, Band, Speech and Debate or a child that's a student only; then it's not a problem because quite frankly, nobody cares.

 

I also don't have a problem with holding kids back simply because it's clearly stated that so long as they don't turn 19 before August 1, then they are eligible. Now, if they turn 19 before August 1 and try every way imagineable to work around the rule, then I totally agree with your feelings.

 

You talk about parents making decisions about their kids for their own ego. I know some parents who have had a child struggle academically & qualify for special education services, but have declined because of that ego thing you speak of. I don't feel, I know that is done all too often & THAT is sad. Not only would they qualify for special education services, but that in turn means they could also qualify to be held back. They choose neither because of perception.

 

First of all, your are right. We strongly disagree on this topic. Tell me the last time it mattered how tall, strong or physically advanced a Chess Club, Chorus, Band, Speech or Debate member was in high school? You are reaching here and trying to justify that scarlet letter you put on your child. My son thanks me often for never "holding" him back to artificially prop up his ego on the field or court. He has only played against kids his own age twice in his life. He didn't always dominate or participate on championship teams, but he is better for it. It made him a better person and better athlete by nearly always playing up against bigger and stronger kids to better himself. That's what it's all about.

I did it with my two oldest (jr. at NewCath & 8th grader), because grade school tuition was cheaper than daycare.

 

me too

Had this conversation in another thread that I started a month ago.

http://bluegrasspreps.com/bluegrasspreps-coms-break/your-thoughts-parents-249440.html?highlight=

 

Whatever the parents feel is best for their child, I say go for it.

 

I agree ' if I had it to do over again. I would have held all 3 of mine back. But all are good students and work hard in the class room. They take to much pride in the grades to do it now. I guess that's what counts the most!:thumb:

I don't reply on the softball board because it's the sport I coach, but since this isn't really about softball, I will. Really, I don't care. To each their own. I don't think it's right at all to do it after they've started school, but before they start kindergarten, I have no problem with it. I just think if you do it in MS, for example, you put a lot of pressure/stress on a kid (socially) that already has a lot of pressure on them while their life is changing all around them. At the school my kids go to, you would be looked down at by the other kids for repeating a grade. I'm sure you'll all have examples of how Johnny was fine, but I have to think it plays on them somehow.

 

However, the question was are there any disadvantages. The one I see is a loss of work ethic. My younger brother was an outstanding baseball player. He wasn't held back, but never played at his age level. Always played up and always was one of the best even at the grade above. He was always a big kid and just gifted with all the baseball talents. As a freshman, he led his varsity team in HRs, hit for average and was one of the region's best catchers. By his Junior year, he was good, but not great. And by his senior year, still very good, but not elite. The problem was that early on, 4th thru 9th grades, he was so dominate that he never had to work for anything. He would practice and work on some things, but he was never challenged or threatened by anyone. Once kids, who were working their tails off, started to catch up with him, he wasn't able to kick it in gear and take it to the next level because he never had too. Because he didn't have an outstanding work ethic (because he never needed it) and he saw kids catching him and some even starting to pass him. It discouraged him and he basically quit working at all. Yes, he played, but just because he liked the game. Even after he kinda gave in, his senior year, scouts were out to watch a kid from harrison Co. An outstanding centerfielder that at the time apparently had never been thrown out stealing in his high school career and broke all kinds of records. Well my brother threw him out twice in that game. Once so bad that the kid didn't even get into his slide and they got him in a pickle. He still had the talent, but lost the drive. The scouts came swarming over to this unknown catcher after the game and were begging him to make sure he took his ACT and got things moving so they could set him up and keep an eye on him at one of their preferred schools. This was in the very early 90's.

 

Anyway, my point for the very long example is, that if a kid is held back and is dominate because of it, it can catch up to him and backfire. I will say that it backfired on Pike. He was held back. He got his scholly, but lost it at Auburn because he couldn't do the right things to keep it. He screwed up because he felt he was above it all. He couldn't deal with that in the real world, things weren't going to come easy and get handed to you all the time. You have to work hard to just keep your opportunities. He didn't have it in him.

 

I'm sure it's a success for many, but it's not all sunshine and roses.

First of all, your are right. We strongly disagree on this topic. Tell me the last time it mattered how tall, strong or physically advanced a Chess Club, Chorus, Band, Speech or Debate member was in high school? You are reaching here and trying to justify that scarlet letter you put on your child. My son thanks me often for never "holding" him back to artificially prop up his ego on the field or court. He has only played against kids his own age twice in his life. He didn't always dominate or participate on championship teams, but he is better for it. It made him a better person and better athlete by nearly always playing up against bigger and stronger kids to better himself. That's what it's all about.

 

Height, strength and size doesn't matter in those. You're right. Thanks for clarifying that. But, playing an instrument is about like (well, harder in many cases) mastering athletic specific skills. An extra year of honing in on that skill(s) could make a difference bc there is a lot of money given out for musical scholarships.

 

Nobody is putting a scarlet letter on my child. I haven't held any of them back. I'd know my facts before I start making comments like that. Fact is, I don't have any old enough to be in school yet, let alone hold back. To add to that; I have girls, which to go along with a previous point I made in a post, holding girls back could actually adversely effect them bc they seem to mature faster than boys in almost every facet imaginable. One of them that I did bring up is an August birthday, so I have two options, start her early and she'll be the youngest in her class (more than likely every year, and if she takes after her Mom, the smallest) or start her late and she can be the oldest (while probably still the smallest). You know; I could say that you put a "Scarlett Letter" on your son for him always being the youngest in his competition...but, I'm not. One, b/c it would be uncalled for & two, because from the sounds of it (in age), I was much like your son (thus one of the reasons I was redshirted in college my first year) and I turned out just fine, too.

 

I'm merely speaking on the subject at hand. I'm about as objective as one could be on the matter. I wasn't held back, nor were my siblings. My dad was in the 1st grade and my mother wasn't at all.

 

The fact that your son was out there competing, going through the demands and rigors of being on his competitive fields, learning to be a team player, applying his discipline from home and coaches into his everyday life, learning the value of accountability that's tied into athletics (and, academics), etc. is what made him a better person.

 

We'll just agree to disagree. I'm done here.

Edited March 10, 201313 yr by Harry Doyle

No way a kid should be able to play high school sports at the age of 19.

No way a kid should be able to play high school sports at the age of 19.

 

Your kidding right? So if a kid is held back for any reason he should not be able to play HS sports? We can argue all day if you should hold a kid back bc of sports but to not let a kid play bc he was held back one grade is just a dumb arguement to me. There are many athletes that are held back for many other reasons than sports. Heaven for bid a good athlete has trouble reading or with math or their social skills may be lacking. Lets punish the hell out of him or her their senior year and not let them play. Lets give those kids a little older than some of the rest more time to party or do other things that we would rather not have them do.

 

I have a 4 year old son that is suppose to start kindergarden in the fall of 2014. I have no idea what kind of athlete he will be, my guess is he will do ok bc he should at least be very tall and somewhat fast. He may or may not start on time and it has nothing to do with sports. He has trouble with speech and isn't learning as quick as some of the other kids his age. He receives all type of theapy for this, he is doing a lot better but still has a way to go. I hope he can start school on time bc he is very tall for his age, my guess is if he was in kindergarden now he would be the tallest kid in most classes. I hope more that if he isn't able to start on time that he will be able to try and compete in sports when he gets in HS if he chooses.

 

I just don't get how people get all fired up about this when I would be willing to bet we have hundreds of kids like this in the area every year. Yet we only get fired up when its a boy and he is really good at basketball. There was a female softball player last year that was held back and did very well and everyone praised the heck out of her. No one every said anything about her, and I am glad for that she deserved every thing she got. I just hate to hear when a good player does something good and the first thing people do is say how old they are. They are playing within the rules why get so upset.

Your kidding right? So if a kid is held back for any reason he should not be able to play HS sports? We can argue all day if you should hold a kid back bc of sports but to not let a kid play bc he was held back one grade is just a dumb arguement to me. There are many athletes that are held back for many other reasons than sports. Heaven for bid a good athlete has trouble reading or with math or their social skills may be lacking. Lets punish the hell out of him or her their senior year and not let them play. Lets give those kids a little older than some of the rest more time to party or do other things that we would rather not have them do.

 

I have a 4 year old son that is suppose to start kindergarden in the fall of 2014. I have no idea what kind of athlete he will be, my guess is he will do ok bc he should at least be very tall and somewhat fast. He may or may not start on time and it has nothing to do with sports. He has trouble with speech and isn't learning as quick as some of the other kids his age. He receives all type of theapy for this, he is doing a lot better but still has a way to go. I hope he can start school on time bc he is very tall for his age, my guess is if he was in kindergarden now he would be the tallest kid in most classes. I hope more that if he isn't able to start on time that he will be able to try and compete in sports when he gets in HS if he chooses.

 

I just don't get how people get all fired up about this when I would be willing to bet we have hundreds of kids like this in the area every year. Yet we only get fired up when its a boy and he is really good at basketball. There was a female softball player last year that was held back and did very well and everyone praised the heck out of her. No one every said anything about her, and I am glad for that she deserved every thing she got. I just hate to hear when a good player does something good and the first thing people do is say how old they are. They are playing within the rules why get so upset.

 

So I am guessing that your son will turn 5 while in Kindergarten and has a birthday between August and October.

 

Here is the break down for your son and what age he will turn while in that grade:

 

K -5

1st - 6

2nd - 7

3rd - 8

4th - 9

5th - 10

6th - 11

7th - 12

8th - 13

9th - 14

10th -15

11th - 16

12th - 17

 

This means if his birthday is after Aug 1st he can be held back 2 years and still be eligible under the current age structure.

So I am guessing that your son will turn 5 while in Kindergarten and has a birthday between August and October.

 

Here is the break down for your son and what age he will turn while in that grade:

 

K -5

1st - 6

2nd - 7

3rd - 8

4th - 9

5th - 10

6th - 11

7th - 12

8th - 13

9th - 14

10th -15

11th - 16

12th - 17

 

This means if his birthday is after Aug 1st he can be held back 2 years and still be eligible under the current age structure.

 

Unless you have an August or Sept bday I believe your chart is wrong, most kids will start Kindergarten at 5 an turn 6 sometime during the school year or summer. If you start school on time and don't start early or are not held back you will graduate at 18 unless you have a June, July, August or Sept bday. So 66% of kids that are not held back and don't start early will graduate at 18. If you are held back one year you could be 19 while still in school.

 

My Son will turn 5 Dec 30th of 2013, he is not suppose to start school until the fall of 2014 meaning he will turn 6 shortly after starting meaning he will graduate at 18. If he would need held back for any reason he would turn 19 Dec of his senior year.

 

I am not sure but I believe the rule is you can not play sports period if you are held back more than one year not just when you get to your senior year.