I agree but I think it should have included the girls too, it is just as bad with the girls. I always thought just do it by age like they do baseball or softball.

 

I agree! Why wouldn't they sync it all up? Makes no sense why they continue to do different things between genders. I coached girls for a long time and you're right...just as bad. And why wouldn't it be if the rule is that way.

I agree! Why wouldn't they sync it all up? Makes no sense why they continue to do different things between genders. I coached girls for a long time and you're right...just as bad. And why wouldn't it be if the rule is that way.

 

But the problem is that now they are out of sync with schools, at least the way most people think about it. Now, the oldest legal 6th graders will be playing 13U, 7th graders will be playing 14U, 8th will be playing 15U, until you get to freshman, when it is back the way it used to be.

But the problem is that now they are out of sync with schools, at least the way most people think about it. Now, the oldest legal 6th graders will be playing 13U, 7th graders will be playing 14U, 8th will be playing 15U, until you get to freshman, when it is back the way it used to be.

 

I know, thats the way just about all the other sports do it today. Age. That's what I meant by I know what the intentions were, but it just didn't work because some take advantage of it. If you go by age, it minimizes cheating. There will always be ways to cheat, but at least you are not able to do it legally now!! In my opinion, AAU has nothing to do with schools and it shouldn't matter the grade you're in when playing a select sport. Its the age.

I agree with you RCC9 and it is only at the youngest ages where a year either way makes a huge difference in physical development. I think the only players who will be negatively affected by the new rule will be the physically dominant less talented players. As has been stated, if you are skilled and physically dominating, then in all likely hood you are playing up anyway for experience. The new rule just evens the playing field. I have no problems with it at all.

I'm not a fan of this new rule. It hurts the boys who have birthdays in June and July. I wish they would make an exception for boys in the grade they are in with a 3 month exemption. Birthdays in June and July are sticky... you're either one of the oldest, or one of the youngest kids in your class.

 

I don't mind this rule for the kids who are a full year, or more, older.

I'm not a fan of this new rule. It hurts the boys who have birthdays in June and July. I wish they would make an exception for boys in the grade they are in with a 3 month exemption. Birthdays in June and July are sticky... you're either one of the oldest, or one of the youngest kids in your class.

 

I don't mind this rule for the kids who are a full year, or more, older.

 

They have tried it that way and many others. It's just too much management and too much cheating. They needed to make it as clean as possible. If you play with your age, then there is no question. Their is a cutoff in every sport and it's never ideal for everyone. But you can make it work. Really, once kids get a little older, the skill and phyical part becomes less apparent. At the younger age a couple months can be a big deal. At that upper ages when it matters, a couple months really makes very little difference. If you're on the border, it may stink for that kid for awhile. But should be fine down the road.

I'm not a fan of this new rule. It hurts the boys who have birthdays in June and July. I wish they would make an exception for boys in the grade they are in with a 3 month exemption. Birthdays in June and July are sticky... you're either one of the oldest, or one of the youngest kids in your class.

 

I don't mind this rule for the kids who are a full year, or more, older.

 

You have to draw the line somewhere, but I tend to agree with ennam... it makes the most sense to me to have it coincide with the school year... i.e. June 1. Of course, as soon as you do that, you have the late May birthdays complaining about being almost a whole year younger.... gotta draw the line somewhere....

100% agree with enman. Also why August 31st? makes no sense. Its a march to July sport for aau. Should have made the bdate related to the activity.. AAU will lose many of these bday kids to baseball.

I agree. It's tough, because it states no older than 14 on Aug. 31st. Many Spring/summer AAU programs only run through July or early August....so, if your birthday is Aug. 29th, you have to play 15U for that entire previous spring/summer, even though you were really 14 when you were playing? That seems silly, if I'm reading the rule properly.

The rule basically eliminates grade exception players from teams 8th grade and under and forces them to play up. I like this at the younger age levels because this is where physical size can overcome ability the most. The 8th. grade is tricky because you will have the grade exception players who will likely play U15 twice in a row.

This still will not stop little Joey who is 12 from using his younger brother's birth certificate who is 10 and Joey is playing for a 10 year old team. But I will say this is a BIG STEP in the right direction. Never understood why coaches and parents get so excited about beating a team when their team is two years older than them. If you are in grade school/middle school you are suppose to!