My kids isn't a hold-back. So my defense of hold-backs is purely rational The official date for 2021 is Sept 1st 2002 to be of age. 6 months! Do the math! If your son is dominating 16 year olds he is playing really bad 16 year olds.
Guy, six months older than the oldest non-NY 2021. 9 months older than then oldest NY 2021 and 20 months older than a young NY 2021. That is the math.
BINGO!!
My kid is a Oct 2003 birthday, and is running with the Varsity for the fall and winter and he is doing well. If he was a 2022, he would be playing at the JV level, and not picking up as much experience as he is now. It is always better to play up than play down. When he faces a Sept 2002 kid, it will be easy for him.
It's always a better system when the younger player decides to play up versus older players imposing that situation by playing down!
