BOTC - US Lacrosse Community Forum Forums MID-ATLANTIC LACROSSE MARYLAND FORUM Boys 2026 Grads - Mid Atlantic Region

Well I’m going to disagree. Listen to the Hawks parents on the sidelines this weekend; they surely don’t love the coach. And I can tell you at least 3 are leaving after the summer. FACTS

Keep telling yourself that. I’ve seen this too many times; if you kid is struggling in 8th grade to keep up before the HS years hit there is a more than likely chance he will continue to struggle at the next level. Sure there are exceptions but that is rare and you’re about to find out.

If he's not the best he is top 2. Saw him at NLF this winter and was MVP and it wasn't close. At least 15 saves in the Championship game. Kid is a special talent.

Keep telling yourself that your son who couldn't compete against kids his own age and had to compete against the kids a year younger is all of a sudden going to miraculously thrive when he has to compete against children who are older than him. But at least you get a cool window sticker for your minivan

☝️☝️ This guys is the winner for the longest run on sentence. However, I do agree!

That is because remaining teams are more on age kids. Say what you want holdbacks is a legal form of cheating. Those who engage in it for sports purposes only are not comfortable with their son playing against kids of the same age. That is what it comes down to. It does not matter if others are doing it. The more people who do it does not make it right. Just tell yourself-Since I am doing this for sports purposes only, I am not comfortable with the outcome of my kid playing against kids his OWN age. At that point we will all know where we stand.

So having kids play back a year is the standard?? You are just going to accept that garbage. You are a pushover and a puppet for people like King Crab. holdbacks need to be called out when done for lax purposes only.

Enjoy that fake trophy, because you know it is when you really digest the facts. King Crab never coaches an 8th grade team unless all the cards are in his favor. It makes up for his coaching short comings.

The question is could the Crabs on age kids win the championship? Simple question 1.) Yes or 2.) No

If your kid is an on age 2026 player, congratulations to him and to you for having him play up against older kids in the 2026 division. It’s great that he’s able to play up and compete. He will be better off in high school. So can we stop the never ending holdback discussions and just tell yourself and your son that he’s playing up one age level and be proud of it? Yes, my son is on age 14 year old 8th grader. No, not a crabs parent.

Enough on holdbacks!

Let's talk about Summer!

NAL the biggest tournament??

You are kidding right? Go check the Terps roster. It is filled with 5 and 6 (redshirt + 4 years + 1 gift from NCAA) year players. Then go check all the rosters of the top 20 schools in lacrosse. There are a few exception in the Ivy but the older ages are the norm. BTW - the leading player of the year candidate is a 6 year player. And wait until you see what numbers Conor Schellenberger drops in his 5th and 6th years. The "holdbacks never succeed" thing is old and tired and wrong. Check every single sport and let us know when athletes have their best years.

The holdback discussion will never end. The posts will help end the cheating of on age kids.

They barely beat Madlax the well before the playoffs minus their imports and one player. The answer is an easy no

Keep telling yourself that your son who couldn't compete against kids his own age and had to compete against the kids a year younger is all of a sudden going to miraculously thrive when he has to compete against children who are older than him. But at least you get a cool window sticker for your minivan[/quote]

Ma’am my son is on age and plays in the elite division. My point is if your son is struggling now to compete it isn’t going to get easier in HS; especially the MIAA where 50% of rosters are holdbacks. The kids dominating now will more than likely being dominating during their HS years. Facts

Keep telling yourself to keep telling yourself.

Congratulate on age players for playing up even though it’s where they should be. That is everything that’s wrong with the sport of lacrosse wrapped up in one sentence.

How many of you angry post 9/1 parents have ever, just once, spoken to your club directors, coaches, officials at HoCo or tournament operators and asked to change the system ? Ever?

Read the thread you are responding to.... The author is not talking about college. If the player is still playing at that point that is a another set of circumstances that varies from D1 to D3. This applies to the serious issue of holdbacks affecting the late middle school and high school years.

Absolutely!

How many of you holdback parents feel for the kids you cheat out of playtime, scholarships, spots on a team and recruitment?

First let me start by saying my kid is on age and I completely understand both sides of this argument but we all have to understand this is not going away. The holdback mentality is being propagated by HS and College coaches; I have been approached on several occasions to do something similar with my son. Our answer was simply no; I don't believe in it, but I also understand why some parent make the decision to hold their son/daughter back. It gives them an edge with the hopes of getting into college with a little financial help. It is what it is ans they are playing the 'game', so lets move on and encourage our kids to keep working hard. In the end they will be better for it both on and off the field.

how many of the Crabs 2026 are holdbacks? the over under is 80%

I will never drop cheating on age kids. My son is a starting summer bday in elite. He is 13. This is wrong for the kids that don’t have his ability.

The holdback phenomenon, and in particular the 2026 Crabs, are certainly annoying, but most people just accept it as a fact of lacrosse life and move on, sort of like the teenagers who run the clock and scoreboard at HoCo games being terrible at their jobs. I wonder which team's parents have been lighting up BOTC the past few days beating this dead horse nonstop. My theory is the Hawks - they annointed themselves champions for life in 5th grade, and are struggling with their new status as a run of the mill team. Am I right or wrong?

Right about everything except Hawks parents. There are many many more parents in Baltimore and DC who pop on here and troll. The Crabs exploiting every possible loophole (ancient holdbacks, reclass, fly-Ins, raiding other teams instead of developing talent and so on) made a lot of enemies of families on Looneys, 91, Madlax, DCE etc. Not to mention Long Island parents who take a special pleasure in jumping on an anonymous forum to complain. I guess the crabs are basking in the glory of their “8th grade” championship or at the dealership getting a new set of wheels in time for the holiday for their 2026 prodigy who brought home the hardware.

made a lot of enemies of families on Looneys, 91, Madlax, DCE etc

Seriously? It's 8th grade lacrosse.

Which elite team???

Which elite team???

FCA

Yes, seriously. News flash - parents of elite 8th grade lacrosse teams take the success of their son and his team EXTREMELY seriously and personally. it is actually kind of funny that you would come on this forum and pretend to be surprised by that.

Yes, seriously. News flash - parents of elite 8th grade lacrosse teams take the success of their son and his team EXTREMELY seriously and personally. it is actually kind of funny that you would come on this forum and pretend to be surprised by that.

I feel for you in the HIgh School years. You might want to start seeking therapy now for the freight train that's coming for you.

Why do people play for Crabs?

Why do people play for Crabs?

Ask Logan Wisnauskus, Matt Brandau, and Ben Smith.

It is ridiculous to be surprised by it, but it's OK to be amused by the elite-ness of the parents whose sons hit puberty first, and though 5'6" now, will be 5'6" forever, as the "non elite" kids with similar skills per pound, keep moving up in the world.

BTW, the first case is me. I played HS JV in 8th grade at 5'7". Bussed me up from the middle school for practices and games!!!!! There was so much talk and potential. This happened for other athletes in other sports as well.

By 11th grade I was 5'8" and cut from varsity. 1st line kid was 6'1" and 2nd line kid in my spot was 5'11" and the HS football QB. My work ethic (without coaches or parents over my shoulder) was garbage, I was burned out, and the kids I had been beating for years, got bigger than me and "almost as skilled" so that was the end of that.

So guess what, for about 1/3 of the 8th grade "elite kids", that freight train is coming for you as well.

That is a question not an answer. Many clubs have produced notable players....

This IS the most important post crazy Lax parents should take note of. Even if you make it to high school hero, you can still be a college zero. Let's not get ahead of ourselves

Thanks for your fake concern, but trust me my son and I will be fine.

Hard work beats puberty lol

Love this story. Puts things into perspective. Playing lacrosse shouldn’t be taken for granted. Most of the kids on elite teams will not realize their dream of playing D1 in college - need to be skilled, big, and smart.

You should have hit the wall.

If your kid is an on age 2026 player, congratulations to him and to you for having him play up against older kids in the 2026 division. It’s great that he’s able to play up and compete. He will be better off in high school. So can we stop the never ending holdback discussions and just tell yourself and your son that he’s playing up one age level and be proud of it? Yes, my son is on age 14 year old 8th grader. No, not a crabs parent.

Congratulate on age players for playing up even though it’s where they should be. That is everything that’s wrong with the sport of lacrosse wrapped up in one sentence.

- your reply is actually what’s wrong. It is what it is. Either hold your kid back or change how you think about it. Otherwise, you’re just complaining to complain. Yes, I understand it’s not “fair” but it’s the way the rules work, so accept it or do something about it.