just a quick note on holdbacks etc. sure there are some but at the end of day talent wins out. a slow, small kid will inevitably end up a slow, small kid. the reality of the situation is there are better athletes playing the game now. they are bigger and faster. kids who's parents played football or hoops and by default were better athletes back in the day. have any of you seen the size and athleticism at an AAU hoops game or FBU football game at this age group?
Age is age...and holdback/prefirst is overage for his grade. It is an advantage for sure, And if you are average, It makes you above average at lower ages.
Go to any top tier soccer tournament..Look at U13, U14,U15, U16 etc . It is a slow progression of height and size. I was at a elite Disney Tournament and it was easy to see. Of course there is the occasional outlier. But it is easy to see the progression. Especially up to U17.. All this , He is on age , he is on age is laughable.
