US Lacrosse Community Forum Forums MID-ATLANTIC LACROSSE MARYLAND FORUM Boys 2026 Grads - Mid Atlantic Region

Exactly. Kidds are already getting hurt or they become discouraged because they struggle to compete physically with kids a full year older. I've seen some really good athletes leave the sport because of this. On top of that, the best clubs get to play against the best competition and have access to the best training. Those clubs are loaded with holdbacks. Yeah on age kids will catch up in age eventually, but the younger 11/12/13 year olds who can't see PT are at a developmental disadvantage.

But, go ahead holdback parent and keep celebrating your second year 8th grader and tell me my kid needs to hit the wall. You're so proud on this forum. Its funny how that pride disappears when it comes to filling out a bday on Team Snap. Don't worry, we know your kid's older. It just makes it that much sweeter to see your kid fade away and ride the pine as our sons catch up in age.

The example of a 12 year old playing against a 14 year old was last summer when they were rising 8th graders. A small summer birthday on age kid vs a gigantic holdback. Yes, there are on age kids who are gigantic but that is much more rare than a gigantic holdback. My kid is an undersized on age attackman on a top 10 club team who regularly goes against holdbacks twice his size and beats them so no whining from me. He will grow soon and will just beat them more often when he does. But the point I made still remains. This is the only youth sport that pays no mind to age and that can be dangerous.

It is the only youth sport that lets fully developed 180 pound 14 year olds play against a pre-pubescent 90 pound 12 year old. Major safety issue and unfortunately nothing will change until a kid gets permanently injured or worse. Until then kids must deal with it or choose another sport.

This is not about hard work! It’s about work smarter not harder in the holdback parent eyes. They are trying to outsmart the game by getting advantages early by holding back kids at young ages! That’s not working harder! “Life ain’t fair” , but the USA lacrosse organization and adults teaching young kids ethics should try better to make it more fair when the kids are young and developing!!! Or, should we teach our kids young to look for and work the advantages in the system to “work smarter” not harder! What are we teaching our kids!?!? Basically, you can buy advantages in life and “life ain’t fair” !? Let’s keep that mentality out of youth sports! Elitist!!!!

You need to go to an AAU basketball tournament for this age group.

Is body checking now allowed in basketball?

Exactly. Kidds are already getting hurt or they become discouraged because they struggle to compete physically with kids a full year older. I've seen some really good athletes leave the sport because of this. On top of that, the best clubs get to play against the best competition and have access to the best training. Those clubs are loaded with holdbacks. Yeah on age kids will catch up in age eventually, but the younger 11/12/13 year olds who can't see PT are at a developmental disadvantage.

But, go ahead holdback parent and keep celebrating your second year 8th grader and tell me my kid needs to hit the wall. You're so proud on this forum. Its funny how that pride disappears when it comes to filling out a bday on Team Snap. Don't worry, we know your kid's older. It just makes it that much sweeter to see your kid fade away and ride the pine as our sons catch up in age.

Are there 12 yr olds in the 2026 class? Believe it or not there are some 13-14 who are 6’0 180-200 lbs and are constantly called hold backs on the sidelines by these psycho parents. I see it weekly.

As a parent of a kid on age what message are you sending your kids when playing against older competition? It’s ok Billie you lost he’s older! Don’t cry Johnny he’s bigger then you!! You can’t Timmy they’re holdbacks!! The whining on this board is tiresome. In the end talent raises to the top regardless of age as you will soon see in HS.

Great post holdback dad. Comparing two kids with same talent and same work ethic, the holdback kid wins. He has had one more year of physical and mental growth. Plus one more year of work.

Don’t post this BS.

Great post holdback dad. Comparing two kids with same talent and same work ethic, the holdback kid wins. He has had one more year of physical and mental growth. Plus one more year of work.

Don’t post this BS.

The vast majority of holdbacks are July/August birthdays. So really it’s a couple of weeks not a year. But you keep telling yourself that.

Great post holdback dad. Comparing two kids with same talent and same work ethic, the holdback kid wins. He has had one more year of physical and mental growth. Plus one more year of work.

Don’t post this BS.

This week game predictions:
Crabs over Hawks 10-9. Game of the week. Crabs have more power and Hawks’ defense is not good.
VLC over True 12- 10. Don’t know but VLC offense can put up points
ML over FCA - 13-6. FCA not in correct league.
DCE over 91 15- 3. DCE looking to take revenge after last week.

This week game predictions:
Crabs over Hawks 10-9. Game of the week. Crabs have more power and Hawks’ defense is not good.
VLC over True 12- 10. Don’t know but VLC offense can put up points
ML over FCA - 13-6. FCA not in correct league.
DCE over 91 15- 3. DCE looking to take revenge after last week.

The vast majority of holdbacks are July/August birthdays. So really it’s a couple of weeks not a year.

True

Glad you agree, holdback dad.


I know to many kids that are winter and fall bdays that are held back. It’s BS