You wrote: EVERYTHING changes the spring of 8th grade. Holdback teams that use to dominate no longer do. They struggle to compete, against players they use to dominate. They are exposed for what they have always been. Substandard lacrosse players, who are sons of substandard lacrosse dads.
The above is harsh and the ramblings of a delusional parent trying to justify the inability of their son to compete in sports. Folks do not complain about a kid who was born in May who struggles to walk and chew gum at the same time while playing in the neighborhood rec league. No, the focus of the holdback derangement syndrome is focused on the same aged kid who happens to be 6” taller then other kids his age (thanks mom and dad for the tall gene), is a natural athlete that is equally strong with stick in his left or right hand that is also self driven and is on a wall or cage 5 days per week.
According to what you said it is only a matter of time that the later “substandard lacrosse player” is exposed and suffers complete collapse as all the other kids who, as a youth, lack one, some or all of the skills needed to shine in the game majestically rise to become the dominate player. Yes all kids will grow and improve. This fact does not equate to the collapse of the kid who is a stand out at 11 or 12 or him being exposed as being substandard.
As a long time coach who tries to build teams with known or data driven factors I would be inclined to bet on a kid in 7th grade who runs faster then most of his peers, is 5’9” with a mom who stands say at 5’8”, can manage his stick like a magician and shoots left or right at 70moh+ then a kid who is 5’3” and lacks a few of the skills needed to play the game at a high level.
Not a substandard lacrosse dad.... just saying...
I assume the OP didn't literally mean everything changes. I am also a longtime coach and I think almost everything other coach and parent on here understands that you are going to take the bigger, stronger, faster kid with stick skills over the other 5'3" player you described. What I think is important though is that if your on-age kid is 5'3" with stick skills and speed but hasn't yet hit his growth spurt to have the size and strength, don't give up as if/when the size/strength comes a year later, he will catch up. Also is you have an on-age kid who is 5'9" 150 lbs, but is new to the game and willing to work, your son can catch up in the stick skills dept if he puts in the time and effort. I've had many holdbacks over the years who did make a top team as they were a year older, but never have I nor would I suggest a parent hold a kid back purely for lax...once you get to high school ages things tend to even out so you need to do what's best for your boy in the non-lax world. Also, parents going through this process the first time, don't let people convince you colleges only want holdbacks. I have many college coaches who prefer the highly skilled 17 yr old with potential over the 20 yr old holdback PG who has has hit their peak and won't listen to coaching at the college level.
