Noticed the thread earlier about playing some 8th graders up. Does playing a middle school athlete up develop or contribute to their offensive game? I can see playing up (maybe) freshman ball but JV and Varsity are on the bubble for me. May be asking too much too soon. Any thoughts?

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Noticed the thread earlier about playing some 8th graders up. Does playing a middle school athlete up develop or contribute to their offensive game? I can see playing up (maybe) freshman ball but JV and Varsity are on the bubble for me. May be asking too much too soon. Any thoughts?

 

I think it is fine if you have a talented kid who you want to get better. I dressed JV/Varsity as a Freshman when I was in school many moons ago and just practicing with the older players made me better. That year we had 2 Frosh and an 8th grader starting JV and dressing varsity. In the smaller schools it is probably more common.

 

If a kid is moved up at a large school kudos to him as he must be an exceptional talent.

I think it is fine if you have a talented kid who you want to get better. I dressed JV/Varsity as a Freshman when I was in school many moons ago and just practicing with the older players made me better. That year we had 2 Frosh and an 8th grader starting JV and dressing varsity. In the smaller schools it is probably more common.

 

If a kid is moved up at a large school kudos to him as he must be an exceptional talent.

 

I agree.:ylsuper:

I have always contended, if an 8th grader can play, let'em play. It's hard to imagine OJ & Labron playing middle school basketball

OJ did play middle school basketball at Rose Hill

OJ did play middle school basketball at Rose Hill

 

Yes but wasn't he a first grader playing up?:jump:

OJ did play middle school basketball at Rose Hill

 

Yes but wasn't he a first grader playing up?:jump:

 

:thumb: OJ and Bill started varsity for Rose Hill as 7th & 8th graders. My comment was meant that OJ never played Middle School basketball when he was a middle schooler.

Mayo was 2nd team All State as a 7th grader and 1st Team All State as an 8th Grader.

 

He didn't just play up as a middle schooler, he genuinely dominated older guys.

 

Unbelievable really.

 

I don't think many have ever seen such physical and mental maturity out of a kid so young. He truly is an exception to the rule.

It truly is a case by case scenario. You have to look not only at the physical size and talent, but the mental maturity of the player. If mishandled, it can retard the development instead of promote it. Most cases it's an honor for the kid to play up...key word being "play". If he moves up and doesn't play, or is getting man-handled...then that's the indicator to move him back down.

I haven't seen a middle schooler that was really ready to play up.The only reason this is being done is because at some schools the talent level and numbers are way down. A school with talented juniors and seniors will not pull a kid out of middle school to play varsity- maybe JV not varsity. I think thats why some parents choose to transfer their kid to a program thats down so their kid can play up.

I haven't seen a middle schooler that was really ready to play up.The only reason this is being done is because at some schools the talent level and numbers are way down. A school with talented juniors and seniors will not pull a kid out of middle school to play varsity- maybe JV not varsity. I think thats why some parents choose to transfer their kid to a program thats down so their kid can play up.

There's a theory that won't hold water.

There are also times when the varsity coach makes this decision and the kid does'nt want to move up. I know one in specific that wants to play with his friends at his age level but has been moved up strictly due to his size. You certainly dont want to turn a kid off to basketball this way so it is a very sensitive move.

I have always contended, if an 8th grader can play, let'em play. It's hard to imagine OJ & Labron playing middle school basketball

 

With all due respect, I don't think any of the kids being discussed are an OJ or LeBron??

With all due respect, I don't think any of the kids being discussed are an OJ or LeBron??

 

Amen but that goes without saying.