Funny thing about the hold back - reclass issue is that the parents who get the most bent out of shape about this are NOT the parents of the kids who play these teams. It is mostly the parents of the kids who are on these teams. Parents really have little way of knowing which kid is older unless they are on the same team. However, if your kid is not able to get on the field because he has to compete for playing time with an older kids that is what causes stress for the parents. In addition, the holdback teams also tend to bring in guests who are older and do not know the team or the offensive scheme. The guest players are bigger and stronger and run through defenses to score while ignoring the loyal on age kid's parents who are screaming on the sideline, "he is wide open."