So let's all simply agree that an actual 6th grade kid (2024) playing 5th grade lacrosse (2025) on Long Island is cheating.
I think it depends on their birthday. The US Lacrosse cutoff is 9/1. I have a child born early September that could, according to US Lacrosse, play the grade below. I personally wouldn't consider it because it's better to challenged in my opinion, but I wouldn't consider it cheating either because of the USL cutoff.
I agree a 6th grader that falls in the birth guidelines is fine with me. That way it's clear. Aug 31st and it's a different case.
The USL cutoffs are for an age-based system. You can't pick and choose to use age-based criteria in a grade-based system or vice versa. That's rediculous!
I an fine with it, meaning if the rules stated it. Clearly playing grade is one thing, grade. This merged approach we are discussing is new. But I have no problem with it, if tourneys adopted it.