So that explains it.:grumpy:

Yep, and it drops about 2% per year there after. So.............

Based on the testosterone facts herein provided, I am declaring that on my next birthday I will not be 44, but more like 23.

So if it isn't 19 then would 20 be ok? How about 21 or 22 (so long as you havent exhausted your 4 years of eligibility)?

 

I don't know. There does have to be a line somewhere. I think 19 though is a good compromise. It gives a little leeway to accommodate those who are a little delayed for whatever reason, and in most cases, it's only allows for being held back one time.

I think the current rule is fine. NO WAY should a kid get to play 5 seasons once they leave 8th grade the clock is ticking, 4 years and your done.

 

I think the clock needs to start ticking when they head into Middle School. Starting with their 6th grade year they would have 7 years/14 semesters to play sports. This would go a long way in preventing kids from being held back for athletic reasons. I think that typically, any kids that needed to be held back for learning, social issues, etc. would have been done so by the time they leave elementary so this rule would not impact them as it pertains to sports.

I think the clock needs to start ticking when they head into Middle School. Starting with their 6th grade year they would have 7 years/14 semesters to play sports. This would go a long way in preventing kids from being held back for athletic reasons. I think that typically, any kids that needed to be held back for learning, social issues, etc. would have been done so by the time they leave elementary so this rule would not impact them as it pertains to sports.

 

The key word is typically. I haven't seen any studies or surveys indicating when the best time to hold a kid back for social/developmental problems. Who's to say you have to make that decision in 2nd grade and not 7th??. Suppose a kid gets sick and misses most of his 7th grade year and has to repeat?? Do you take a year of sports away from him??. And someone has to track all this stuff starting for kids in 6th grade if you want to put the rule in place.

 

Again, I see the concern people have. But let's face it, high school sports aren't being dominated by 19 year old men. Most of the 19 year olds I've seen play are no better than the 18 year olds, and in some cases 15 and 16 year olds. And these 19 year olds aren't taking scholarships away from anyone. Most kids are getting offered at the high levels when they are sophomores/juniors anyway. For the most part, you know if you are getting a ride well before you are 19 ( or even 18)and late in your senior year. I've been actively involved in high school sports for the last 7 years in this area, and for most of my 20's in another area, and cannot think of any instance where a 19 year old has caused any issues issues or physical harm to another player, or where it has made more than a negligible difference in a kid getting a scholarship. Where you really see a difference in physicality is at the middle school level, not the high school level.

To me graduating at 17 should be viewed the same way as graduating at 19. If it is academically advantageous for the specific student their parents should do what's best for the student.

 

We ended up starting our son early, he was ready socially and on the advise of our Pediatrician, we did so. Years later, I am torn on the decision that we made. Our son just completed his Freshman year of High School and I am happy to say that he has always been a good student (3.7 GPA) and to date he has not had any issues with being the youngest kid in his class.

 

Now for the sports side of this... My son has also been fortunate enough to perform well in his chosen sport, this past year he started Varsity as a Freshman, keep in mind, he was 13 when he started his Freshman year of school so I know there were times that he was playing against 18, and possibly 19 year olds. He has also played sports with kids that are a year behind him in school but actually several months older than he is. As I look forward, he will be 16 years old when he starts his Senior year of High School, this makes me second guess our decision to start him when we did but I can honestly say that sports was not part of the equation when we made our decision.

 

If I understand the current KHSAA rules regarding age, this coming season my son could actually be starting the 7th grade and still have 6 more years of school ahead of him rather than 3. Although this might be very beneficial for him Athletically, I think in our case we would be abusing the system.

 

I know that our situation is on one end of the spectrum and there are justifiable reasons that another kid in my sons class could be 3 years older, and on the other end of the spectrum. This being said, I think that the KHSAA needs to take a closer look at the rule because I think the possibility of a 3 year gap is too wide at any grade. I am in no way saying that it is not OK to be 19 when you graduate High School, but if this is OK, then I think that there should also be a more stringent guideline in terms of attaining a certain age before you are allowed to start school.

The key word is typically. I haven't seen any studies or surveys indicating when the best time to hold a kid back for social/developmental problems. Who's to say you have to make that decision in 2nd grade and not 7th??. Suppose a kid gets sick and misses most of his 7th grade year and has to repeat?? Do you take a year of sports away from him??. And someone has to track all this stuff starting for kids in 6th grade if you want to put the rule in place.

 

Again, I see the concern people have. But let's face it, high school sports aren't being dominated by 19 year old men. Most of the 19 year olds I've seen play are no better than the 18 year olds, and in some cases 15 and 16 year olds. And these 19 year olds aren't taking scholarships away from anyone. Most kids are getting offered at the high levels when they are sophomores/juniors anyway. For the most part, you know if you are getting a ride well before you are 19 ( or even 18)and late in your senior year. I've been actively involved in high school sports for the last 7 years in this area, and for most of my 20's in another area, and cannot think of any instance where a 19 year old has caused any issues issues or physical harm to another player, or where it has made more than a negligible difference in a kid getting a scholarship. Where you really see a difference in physicality is at the middle school level, not the high school level.

 

I am glad you picked up on the key word... It would be the 2% that fall outside of the norm that makes it almost impossible to have a hard and fast rule.

We ended up starting our son early, he was ready socially and on the advise of our Pediatrician, we did so. Years later, I am torn on the decision that we made. Our son just completed his Freshman year of High School and I am happy to say that he has always been a good student (3.7 GPA) and to date he has not had any issues with being the youngest kid in his class.

 

Now for the sports side of this... My son has also been fortunate enough to perform well in his chosen sport, this past year he started Varsity as a Freshman, keep in mind, he was 13 when he started his Freshman year of school so I know there were times that he was playing against 18, and possibly 19 year olds. He has also played sports with kids that are a year behind him in school but actually several months older than he is. As I look forward, he will be 16 years old when he starts his Senior year of High School, this makes me second guess our decision to start him when we did but I can honestly say that sports was not part of the equation when we made our decision.

.

 

My youngest was in the same boat. We were told he was ok to start early (he would have turned 5 very early in the school year). We however chose not to, simply because we felt there was no real benefit, aside from being able to say he started school early. And while he played a varsity sport as an 8th grader (wrestling, where at least you are matched up by weight), physically he was would not have been ready to play other sports, like football. We made the right decision, and despite your fears, it sounds like you made the right call too. My fear, is that putting more stringent rules concerning age/when to start the clock ticking, it puts those who may not have made the right decision in the beginning in a very tough spot. None of us have a crystal ball, or know what the future

holds. That one extra year gives parents that truly need it the chance to hit the reset button.

My youngest was in the same boat. We were told he was ok to start early (he would have turned 5 very early in the school year). We however chose not to, simply because we felt there was no real benefit, aside from being able to say he started school early. And while he played a varsity sport as an 8th grader (wrestling, where at least you are matched up by weight), physically he was would not have been ready to play other sports, like football. We made the right decision, and despite your fears, it sounds like you made the right call too. My fear, is that putting more stringent rules concerning age/when to start the clock ticking, it puts those who may not have made the right decision in the beginning in a very tough spot. None of us have a crystal ball, or know what the future

holds. That one extra year gives parents that truly need it the chance to hit the reset button.

 

Totally different topic... I am on an endless pursuit for that thing you call a Crystal Ball!!!

Every year someone realizes they have put their players or own child at a disadvantage by not holding them back or starting them later, so they start this argument. Sorry you're new, but composing doesn't change the fact these are the rules and have been for about 20 years.

Hellcats - Who's comments are you referring to?

The whole argument is dumb so I guess post #1.

Not dumb at all, there are legitimate concerns from some that others simply do not see as a problem.

The whole argument is dumb so I guess post #1.

 

Sorry you feel that way... I do not feel that discussing a persons thoughts and opinions on a particular subject/topic really constitutes an arguement... to each their own I guess.

There's a much greater difference in the size/strength of a 14 year versus an 18. If you want to put a limit on age for safety reasons, then you need to look at putting a min age in.