There isn’t a huge difference when you are in 10th grade versus 12 grade so high school levels off but right now with 2024,2023 and 2022 (7-9th grade)there’s a huge difference in size and strength with puberty some kids hit it some kids didn’t so enjoy winning now with the hold backs high school will be bland when your little boy just blends and doesn’t have an advantage
Are we talking 10th grade hold back vs 12th grade on-age, then you are right? Are you talking 19 year old vs 17 year old, then you are closer. If you are talking on-age 18 vs 16 then the difference is getting bigger and bigger. It used to be scholarship programs in college would red-shirt an on age kid to get them more mature. Now, you don't hear that much about this practice because the really good kids have already done so by starting school late, held back or through gap year. The advantage really doesn't disappear until young men hit their 2nd year in college regardless of age. The older kids at a young age have a huge advantage in coordination and maturity and this advantage gets them more reps, looks and better test scores.
