I see discussion all the time in threads about basketball players being held back. I am not really sure why people are so emotional about this. My viewpoint is this. The only thing gained by holding a player back is another good year on his high school career. If anyone holds a player back because they think it will get the player a scholarship, they are disillusioned. Either you have the talent, size and athleticism to play at the next level or not. Playing an extra year in high school is not going to change any of those factors.

 

So why are so many people fixated on this and does anyone think it really will help a player get a scholarship?

I see discussion all the time in threads about basketball players being held back. I am not really sure why people are so emotional about this. My viewpoint is this. The only thing gained by holding a player back is another good year on his high school career. If anyone holds a player back because they think it will get the player a scholarship, they are disillusioned. Either you have the talent, size and athleticism to play at the next level or not. Playing an extra year in high school is not going to change any of those factors.

 

So why are so many people fixated on this and does anyone think it really will help a player get a scholarship?

I agree with this.

 

Another false perception in high school sports, is the theory that you have to play for a High School program in Lexington, Louisville or at Scott County in order to get exposer. Some want people to think this in order to promote their high school programs. Between AAU ball and the information technology that we have today "sleepers" are becoming extinct.

 

If you're good enough, you'll be found, and you don't need an extra year of high school either.

I see discussion all the time in threads about basketball players being held back. I am not really sure why people are so emotional about this. My viewpoint is this. The only thing gained by holding a player back is another good year on his high school career. If anyone holds a player back because they think it will get the player a scholarship, they are disillusioned. Either you have the talent, size and athleticism to play at the next level or not. Playing an extra year in high school is not going to change any of those factors.

 

So why are so many people fixated on this and does anyone think it really will help a player get a scholarship?

 

In some instances, it has helped. Its rare, but some have benefitted.

I see discussion all the time in threads about basketball players being held back. I am not really sure why people are so emotional about this. My viewpoint is this. The only thing gained by holding a player back is another good year on his high school career. If anyone holds a player back because they think it will get the player a scholarship, they are disillusioned. Either you have the talent, size and athleticism to play at the next level or not. Playing an extra year in high school is not going to change any of those factors.

 

So why are so many people fixated on this and does anyone think it really will help a player get a scholarship?

 

I think your Dead wrong about the Extra year not helping.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but a kid has 4 years to play ball in High School, even if he spends 5 years in high school, right?

 

 

Or am I misunderstanding what's being discussed.

I don't know if I completely agree. I believe there are some advantages to being a year older. I did not hold my boys back, but I know people that have. There are many factors along with age, that play apart. My oldest son is the same size and build now that he was as a sophomore, 5'10" 165, he is twenty one now. My youngest is sixteen and not nearly as mature physically as my older son was at the same age, but he is 6'1" 185. I graduated from high school, 5'10" 1/2 150lbs and could dunk a basketball, although dunking wasn't permitted then. I grew three inches the next year and gained to 185 lbs, the same size as my youngest son at sixteen. That extra year would have been a huge advantage to me. My oldest son had a coach that asked his team once, why didn't your parents hold you guys back a year before starting school. So I have to believe there is some merit to having a year age advantage. Possibly to grow physically, and become more mature.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but a kid has 4 years to play ball in High School, even if he spends 5 years in high school, right?

 

 

Or am I misunderstanding what's being discussed.

 

Most parents hold their children back before high school,m or even start them a year later in kindergarden.

I think your Dead wrong about the Extra year not helping.

 

I am not saying it won't help the player be a little better or get more playing time in high school. I think it can help a player some in high school. But it isn't going to help a player get a scholarship.

Those held back from the beginnning or at a young age are no problem at all. They were most likely held for reasons other than athletic ability. In most of these cases it is rarly known who is a "hold back"

 

Those held back in middle school to be dominant at that age are the real issue. At 12-13-14-15, 1 year make a big difference (put a good eight grader in a 7th grade league it is huge). As the kids age 1 year makes less and less difference. This philosophy in these cases is to play down to achieve dominant success. This dominance is usually negated at the upper grades of high school as all the kids mature fully. Many know about the middle school hold back in the area, but, who are the dominant hold backs seniors this year in KY?

 

To reference an earlier post very few become D1 players anyway. A lot of college signings happen before the senior year is played, if a player has talent, will be found no matter what age and red shirted at the next level if needed.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but a kid has 4 years to play ball in High School, even if he spends 5 years in high school, right?

 

 

Or am I misunderstanding what's being discussed.

 

A kid can actually play up to 6 years of high school depending if they play up from middle school and then can even go on to prep school.

 

In KY rules, once a player graduates middle school (8th grade) they cannot be held back without forfeiting time at the high school level. I think the rule has even changed again now being 5th grade. You must be held back prior to 5th in order not to lose a year of eligibilty in hs.

 

If a kid is going to graduate at 17 years of age from high school and a sports scholarship is a possibility, why not hold back and allow for an extra year of maturity.

 

If too late for the hb, then prep is an option.

Those held back from the beginnning or at a young age are no problem at all. They were most likely held for reasons other than athletic ability. In most of these cases it is rarly known who is a "hold back"

 

Those held back in middle school to be dominant at that age are the real issue. At 12-13-14-15, 1 year make a big difference (put a good eight grader in a 7th grade league it is huge). As the kids age 1 year makes less and less difference. This philosophy in these cases is to play down to achieve dominant success. This dominance is usually negated at the upper grades of high school as all the kids mature fully. Many know about the middle school hold back in the area, but, who are the dominant hold backs seniors this year in KY?

 

To reference an earlier post very few become D1 players anyway. A lot of college signings happen before the senior year is played, if a player has talent, will be found no matter what age and red shirted at the next level if needed.

 

A player cannot sign prior to the fall of their senior year. Then can verbally commit, but cannot sign.

A kid can actually play up to 6 years of high school depending if they play up from middle school and then can even go on to prep school.

 

In KY rules, once a player graduates middle school (8th grade) they cannot be held back without forfeiting time at the high school level. I think the rule has even changed again now being 5th grade. You must be held back prior to 5th in order not to lose a year of eligibilty in hs.

 

If a kid is going to graduate at 17 years of age from high school and a sports scholarship is a possibility, why not hold back and allow for an extra year of maturity.

If too late for the hb, then prep is an option.

 

Because it won't make a difference in getting a scholarship IMO.

A kid can actually play up to 6 years of high school depending if they play up from middle school and then can even go on to prep school.

 

In KY rules, once a player graduates middle school (8th grade) they cannot be held back without forfeiting time at the high school level. I think the rule has even changed again now being 5th grade. You must be held back prior to 5th in order not to lose a year of eligibilty in hs.

If a kid is going to graduate at 17 years of age from high school and a sports scholarship is a possibility, why not hold back and allow for an extra year of maturity.

 

If too late for the hb, then prep is an option.

 

I don't think the rule has changed.

A player cannot sign prior to the fall of their senior year. Then can verbally commit, but cannot sign.

 

Basketball allows early signing in November before the season begins.

I disagree wholeheartedly VOR. I graduated at 17 yrs old and remember playing intramural ball at NKU during my frosh year. Instead of being 6'2 160lbs soaking wet like I was as a SR, I was 6'3 180 and physically more mature. I remember I used to tell all of my buddies I would pay top dollar for another year of HS ball.

 

It could be the difference from getting a scholly or not getting one IMO and that is why parents do it. Im not saying there arent the special players who are being offered when they are sophs and JR's but if you are a middle of the road player who teeters then it is a huge difference.