Depends on skill level of the team. If you're a rec team and good enough to play up, consider going select and play on age.

Generally, I think playing on age and at an equal skill level is ideal. Modified rules maximize touches on the ball and create more opportunities for kids to grow. My thought is that many leagues make the jump to a bigger field/more players too soon and lose learning potential.

Some kids are so good and can't afford a premier team that they have to play up an age to be challenged. Do what's best for the kids. Also, if you have a kid U10 or older that should be playing up a level, encourage the player/parents to consider the jump. Might be a hit for your team, but it's best for the player.

Hope that helps

Well I play one level up in soccer. It helps me improve my game. You should only do this depending your skill level and size. Because just think about a uncordinated small 10 year old playing with very skilled big six graders.

Thanks for your replies. Big topic within my club. U10 allowing to play up to U11 as a team. Not so much individuals move up, just teams.

IF YOUR TEAM CAN PLAY UP A YEAR AND STILL LOOK GOOD .YOU SHOULD.

Just be ready for at least a few games where the big kids push the others around a bit. We've had a great experience with out team and son playing up, but when you run into teams at the far end of the age bracket, you can really tell you're playing up. Not that losing a few is a bad thing... Good luck!

When i play up i always still get hattricks so i would.

This is a big decision if it is just one team going from 6v6 or if the whole league goes to 8 v 8. If the whole team is good enough to compete and they can handle going to larger field and more players then go for it. May be a good idea to try going to 8 v 8 for a few games at some sort of "tournament". We ahve a tournament that is doing the 11 v 11 for U12 as most teams from out of our area play 11 v 11 for U12. This will allow our local teams the chance to see how prepared they are for next year when they have to play 11 v 11. Good luck.

All of those answers are correct, you see it all deppends on the skill and age of the team. Hope that helped!

My sister plays up a year in soccer and softball and she is really good at both of them even though she is the smallest one on the field. I say go for it!!!!

This would make the field bigger and the amount of players on the field.This would also get your team better and them getting used to the field.Also your team would learn to use skill on older people.

Thank you all for your input! This is a huge topic and if you research it a little on the WWW, you will see that there is no wrong answers. I am throwing it out to you because it is hitting all levels. Players, coaches, and sounds like even directors like myself. I needed the feedback for my club. I would really only consider this on a team by team basis. If you have 3 great players on a team of 12, meaning the rest are good, I probably wouldnt suggest it. Please feel free to keep on this though. I love this discussion!

no stay at the age group