BOTC - US Lacrosse Community Forum Forums NORTHEAST LACROSSE BOTC MAIN FORUM (LI, CT, WC) Boys 2028-8th Grade Fall 2023/Summer 2024

The majority of the parents on this board as well as other years for the boys and girls are guilty and quite notIntelligent to be spending a lot of money and making those guys rich. FOMO to the max! The players actually reposting and thanking them as well! How Ridiculous that they list about 50 kids at every position! If more would’ve paid and attended their events, that list would be double the size!

Literally not a *single* reclass hating parent is refusing to reclass his kid purely out of *principle*.

Either (1) you don’t need to (because your kid is a student - sincere congrats), (2) you don’t think it’s worth doing (because it won’t help your marginal player, who is low level D1, or mid to low D3, or not even planning to play in college - nothing wrong with any of those), or (3) you can’t afford to do it (understandable, and no doubt the right call not to do it).

So...why pretend otherwise? Why the moral preening?

Just admit that other teams, playing by the rules, beat your son’s team. It’s not the end of the world.

I don’t think so. It applied to 2028s this past summer. Basically, it applies each year starting Sept 1 of 8th grade, and ending Aug 31 following 8th grade, and all younger years.

Last year, it applied to 2028 and younger. Right now, it’s 2029 and younger.

According to USA lacrosse, perfectly acceptable to be playing 2028 under both the 12 month grouping and 15 month grouping.

Just wait until you hear about the recently discovered expanse of land west of the Verrazano!! Unreal!!

Both are actually double holdbacks. Also, if you take a poll of all the reclasses over the years, these kids represent a minority of “success stories”.

2 out of …….

Holdback apologist is back, probably a short king.

No Apologies-continue doing your polls and finally learn what has been happening by looking at all commits ages to top college programs for the last couple of years, then go cry on your momma's shoulder.

Sure, they've found a way to game the system for now, but holding kids back for an advantage isn't real success. It’s short-term thinking, and eventually, the competition will catch up to them—whether in sports or life. Being older and bigger might give them an edge now, but relying on that instead of true development only lasts so long. Real growth comes from competing on a level playing field, not looking for shortcuts.

First and foremost not many parents at this age care about wins and losses as long as their kids team is somewhat competitive. It’s very much about recruitment very soon.

My son is a very good player. I’m not going to lie and tell you that I’m sure he is good enough for higher level D1. As it stands now, he is in the top 5% of players in his graduation year. Varsity as an 8th grader. Definitely some room for improvement. He is my oldest and I’m admitting I really am not educated enough to tell you where that places him at the end of hist 10th grade year, assuming he progresses at the same level. For arguments sake you’ll have to take my word for it regarding where he is at talent wise.

With that said, I can’t reclass him for a few reasons. First and foremost, he has no urge. We have talked about the lacrosse landscape and the reclassing thing and he just doesn’t want to, despite being young for a 28. No parent in their right mind would force a kid to repeat a grade against their will assuming they are on par academically. Second reason I can’t reclass him is I simply can not afford it. And the third reason is I don’t believe it sends the right message to my son about rising to the occasion.

Now I have told my story. I’m anti holdback. And truth be told it is not out purely out of principle. I gave my reasons. You 100% nailed it.

Now it’s your turn buddy. Is your holdback stance base on…
1. Your kid is small (not their fault).
2. Your kid is not good at lacrosse (very good chance it’s also not their fault).

I’m gonna sort of quote you here.
Literally not a *single* reclass LOVING parent has admitted the reason they made the decision to reclass. It’s not solely to provide an advantage. No advantage would be needed if they didn’t fall into one of the two categories above.

So which is it?
Too small?
Not good enough?
It is definitely one of those two reasons, so why pretend otherwise?

3. Dad is too small

In my opinion, reclassing increases opportunities. Doesn’t a 3 star vs a 4 star makes a difference come junior year? Reclassifying impacts that. Both in scholarship and NIL in my opinion. And NiL is in lax. Not on the football level obviously, but depending on the school and recruit ranking it can be available. This is HS so why the focus still on holdbacks? Are there not 3 and 4 year age gaps on the field now at times?

maybe you and Kamala should let the college lacrosse coaches know this. i am sure they would appreciate your input

Great post. I’m the guy who wrote the post to which you just responded, and many of the other very well-written posts!

First, I meant to write “student”, not “student”, in my list of 3 reasons. There are plenty of absolute killer players who don’t need to reclass. Great for them. Same with football, basketball and hockey.

Anyway, I’ll address your points because you were kind enough to provide a thoughtful list.

To begin, my son is not a reclass at all. This obviates my response, but I’ll keep going.

He’s in the “correct” grade where we live but is certainly close to the cutoff. Lucky birthday. Why does everyone assume that because I defend reclassing (within the rules), that my son must be a reclass?

I don’t actually LOVE reclassing as much as I detest notIntelligent arguments and whiny posts from sore losers. To be clear, your post is none of that, but many other posts qualify. There is something pathetic about people who accuse others of cheating when the behavior at question is completely within the rules.

I have no plan to reclass my son because
- he grew early
- he’s on one of the top 2028 teams, and plays a ton
- he’s a top student and will get into a top 20 academic school without lacrosse
- he has a shot at a top 20 lacrosse school but neither of us cares if he gets it; not willing to take an extra year to see if that would help

Yet, he might consider a PG year if the Princeton coach guarantees him a spot there (ridiculously unlikely). And I don’t think there would be anything wrong with that at all.

Why are you so obsessed on why families made this decision?
Additionally your Jerry McGuire mission statement is full of holes. He’s not your oldest, he’s your second. Top 5% really HAHAHA! Only one holdback obsessed Dad thinks and says outrageous comments like that and everyone knows who you are.

The age verification system 6/1 that was used this past season from September 2023 - Summer 2024 was only for the 2029 class and below. The 2029 class will still have that system in place for this year. Once they enter HS it’s grade based play, age goes out the window.

Thanks for the reply. I know you didn’t mean to put student. This site changes the word you meant to write to student. We actually are in a somewhat similar situation. I see your point about people coming off whining. I myself probably have come off that way on here and while talking to others about the lacrosse landscape. I just get frustrated at the lack of common sense the people in charge have and can’t believe it has gotten to this point. Rules should have been changed years ago.