My son is the youngest in his class.
Continues to play and compete at a high level. He's a committed D1 player at a local HS.
What was frustrating for him was the 7th/8th grade years.
All kids grow and mature at a different pace but multiple 6' 7th graders on a team? Come on. I'm not gonna be a whiner and say "that's not fair" but I will be a parent and say "that's not safe" and "that's not sporting"
He eventually caught up and surpassed the "big boys" out there and he ultimately was a better player for it. I do not condone it, however. A few concussions and some other injuries from getting trucked doesn't make you "stronger"
The one time giants now ride the bench on their HS teams. You'll see it, if they don't develop the stick skills. Ask many HS coaches: they convert former middies and attackmen into poles once the size is there.
We all know that middle school hero. My kid wasn't one of them.
The sport needs to go to age based like virtually every single non-HS sport out there. Wake up. The boys playing men thing is a liability.
Go to birth year or along grade based guidelines: 9/1
Good luck to all you new to the lax world. I think things have unfortunately gotten worse.
Above all, enjoy the ride and ensure your kids are having fun