|
Post by phantom on May 9, 2008 14:50:31 GMT -6
In some parts of Pennsylvania redshirting is a common practice. Parents of promising eighth grade athletes tell the school to hold their son back for a second year in the eighth grade. This means that the player is more mature but still has all four years of high school eligibility. The selling point to the parents is that it gave their son a better chance at a scholarship. It was no pipe dream, either. There were guys from those schools that did get schollies.
It wasn't done in the area where I lived but it happened commonly in a nearby area. It was so common there that a coach that I talked to who played there was astonished when he heard in college that other schools didn't do it.
My question is does it happen near you? Do you or others near you do it?
|
|
|
Post by leighty on May 9, 2008 15:27:09 GMT -6
I played with two brothers who were held back. One signed with Florida State as an OL, and the other signed with UNC as a QB. Our starting quarterback who just graduated was held back. He just signed with Hampden-Sydney.
|
|
|
Post by coachd5085 on May 9, 2008 15:44:05 GMT -6
It did in Louisiana..so much so that some schools had an actual 8+. These schools were perennial powers, with multiple "National Championships" , and over 35 state championships between them.
However, rules have been put in place such that the students who are held back (but passed) in grades after 6th lose a year of eligibility. Of course, as with any rule, those who want to find LOOPHOLES can do so. The most common loophole in this case is missing 21 days of school, which prevents grade level promotion...
|
|
|
Post by nickknx865 on May 9, 2008 16:27:56 GMT -6
My teacher told me that some of the powerhouse schools in Georgia used to do this, but it's not so common anymore.
|
|
ramsoc
Junior Member
Posts: 431
|
Post by ramsoc on May 9, 2008 17:56:29 GMT -6
Knew a kid who repeated 8th grade, but that was the only way he could get into a private school. All of the spots for 9th grade were full, so he did 8th grade again. But it actually didn't help him any, since he start kindergarten as a 4 yr old, so this just put him back into the class he should have been in.
|
|
|
Post by Coach Huey on May 10, 2008 10:55:26 GMT -6
hold 'em back all you want in texas ... won't do much good ... there is an age limit anyway ... so, holding a kid back just means he can't play when he's a senior ... lol so, to answer the question ... NO, it doesn't happen much here. can't be 19 before sept. 1 ... if you are, then can't play. rarely, rarely, will someone be held back and be still be 18 on sept. 1 of his senior year.
|
|
|
Post by hsrose on May 10, 2008 11:08:53 GMT -6
I wish we had held Jr. back or started him later. He was the tallest, largest, kid in his age group. We started him and the academic problems started as well. I'm fully convinced that boys, in general, should start school as late as possible due to emotional maturity factor.
My son will be 16 when he starts his Sr. year in a few months. He'll turn 17 at the end of September. 2nd year starting QB in a 'Bone option offense.
Here in our NorCal area they don't hold anyone back for any reason. Well, as it was explained to us, in several conferences, only in very, very exceptional cases will they ever hold a child back. Too hard on the (parents) self-esteem.
|
|
|
Post by coachd5085 on May 10, 2008 11:37:00 GMT -6
hold 'em back all you want in texas ... won't do much good ... there is an age limit anyway ... so, holding a kid back just means he can't play when he's a senior ... lol so, to answer the question ... NO, it doesn't happen much here. can't be 19 before sept. 1 ... if you are, then can't play. rarely, rarely, will someone be held back and be still be 18 on sept. 1 of his senior year. Have to disagree with you on this one coach. Most students start kindergarten while at age five (or very late 4, turning 5 quickly after starting) This means that most kids start 1st grade at 6, and turn 7 during their year...extrapolate that out and you get that most students start their senior year of high school while age 17, and turn 18 during that year. That means that the vast majority of united states kids can repeat a year of school, and still start their senior year under the age of 19. Some powerhouse schools here in Lousiana (West Monroe, John Curtis Christian, Evangel Christian...) all used this to their benefits by creating an "8+" grade level...before it was outlawed by the LHSAA. Of course there are still ways around this if the parents are so inclined. I am on the fence on this issue. While I would probably want to start my own child later (assuming all other developmental issues were equal) for their benefit, it was eerie to see entire communities/schools embracing this practice and thus imposing their will on opponents on the field. When questioned about the practice, the schools parents involved were quoted in a news article "I don't understand why everyone just doesn't do this. It is their fault for being stupid."
|
|
|
Post by fbdoc on May 10, 2008 11:51:23 GMT -6
In Forida the age limit is 19 years, 9 months so holding kids back isn't much of an issue. I had the same discussion with my son whose birthday is in July. We started him early so he played his senior year as a 17 year old. I think the "extra year" would have had a big impact but its gone now... If a parent wants to do so, as long as they are aware of the rules its not a big deal.
|
|
|
Post by coachd5085 on May 10, 2008 11:59:19 GMT -6
In Forida the age limit is 19 years, 9 months so holding kids back isn't much of an issue. Don't quite understand what you mean by this. How does an age limit of 19 years 9 months (which is basically the same as can't be 19 before sept 1st ) make it not an issue? I must be misunderstanding you here, if you think it isn't a big deal, but also say it would have been a big impact. Could you clarify for me. Your opinion is always valued, and I know I have a BIG problem with this (because of how it was handled in LA) so I am looking for your perspective. Thanks
|
|
|
Post by fbdoc on May 10, 2008 12:51:38 GMT -6
If a kid can play until he is 19 years 9 month, then holding a kid back (like my son) who didn't turn 19 until he was in college, would not have made any difference. He still would have been eligible. In Texas, if holding a kid back makes him 19 during his senior football season, THEN it makes a difference.
Of course there are other issues including social and academic being the biggest two. If all of your firends are in a higher grade or you're bored with repeating curriculum (if you can't take subjects fitting to your development) then holding a kid back can be a problem. As far as the "ethics" of holding a kid back a year, I think its a parent/kid decision as it applies to their son, as far as it doesn't violate any state rules. I certainly don't agree with a school, team, or program setting this up as a "policy" for every kid that comes along.
|
|
|
Post by coachd5085 on May 10, 2008 13:03:33 GMT -6
AHHH..gotcha. I thought at first that you meant it did not make a difference in terms of giving the kid an advantage..not that it would not make a difference in terms of becoming ineligible.
I think the issue that the practice creates is one of "overzealousness". In the cases I mentioned, it was never a "policy" or forced on anyone (other than by social pressures). It just kind of made sense. If we can get a class of 25+ seniors who are all a year older than most of our rivals... well, it just kind of became "the thing to do".
As you said, it is up to the parents/kid. However, as you can imagine in the football crazed south, the propensity to say "lets do this" becomes quite high, especially when other communities don't necessarily share that zealousness.
My problem with the practice is that if done in PUBLIC SCHOOLS, you are creating an extra year of taxpayer funded sports development.
|
|