Player Placement Process

What the National Age-Group Change Means for Baton Rouge SC

Beginning in the 2026–27 soccer season, U.S. youth soccer will shift away from the current calendar-year (Jan 1–Dec 31) age-group model and move to a school-year (Aug 1–Jul 31) model. This change affects all clubs and competitions participating in US Youth Soccer (USYS), US Club Soccer, and AYSO, bringing age groups in line with how players move through school.

For Baton Rouge Soccer Club, this update will impact our Competitive Program, MLS NEXT Academy Division, and the Girls Academy League within the Louisiana Elite Soccer Program.

Why the Change Is Happening

Youth soccer leaders across the nation selected this model to create a healthier, more intuitive experience for players and families. Research, feedback, and club data showed consistent advantages to organizing players by school grade rather than by strict birth year.

Key benefits of aligning to a school-year model:

• Players stay with school classmates, improving social development and simplifying friend groups.
• Team cohesion increases, especially during middle and high school transitions.
• College recruiting becomes clearer, since teams are more closely aligned with graduating classes.
• Reduces “trapped player” issues, where a player’s birthdate pushes them up or down a year in a way that doesn’t match their academic grade.
• Allows for more predictable long-term planning for families, coaches, and competitive pathways.

This new model brings soccer in line with what families experience in schools, camps, extracurricular programs, academic calendars, and graduation cycles.

How the Change Affects BRSC Players

Consult the age-group conversion chart below to see how teams will shift under the new Aug 1 cutoff. Beginning with tryouts for the 2026–27 season, all competitive teams will follow the new age-group structure.

What families can expect:

• Players may see small adjustments in team placement compared to the previous birth-year system.
• Many players will now be grouped more naturally with their academic grade.
• Some teams will retain a large portion of their roster; others may shift more noticeably due to the way birthday clusters fall around the Aug 1 cutoff.
• BRSC staff will work to minimize unnecessary disruption while ensuring every age group remains developmentally appropriate and competitively balanced.

Development First, Stability Always

Our Directors of Coaching, staff coaches, and Louisiana Elite leadership are already reviewing rosters and birthdate patterns to prepare for a smooth transition.
Our priority is, and always will be, the long-term development, well-being, and competitive progression of every player.

Girls Academy League, MLS Next, & Louisiana Elite

The Girls Academy League and MLS Next Academy Division will follow the national age-group shift for the 2026–27 season.

This means the Louisiana Elite Soccer Program will conform to the school-year model across GA age groups and player pathways.

Parents should expect:

• Tryout groupings may shift.
• Roster structures may adjust to reflect new age sectors.
• Player placement meetings may be offered for families navigating questions around grade alignment, playing up, or competitive fit.

Our Louisiana Elite staff will communicate directly with families as adjustments are finalized.

What BRSC Is Doing to Prepare

To support families during this transition, BRSC will:

1. Publish Clear Age-Group Information

Our custom club chart will outline every age group and how it maps from birth-year to school-year. This will be available on our website and shared with all families.

2. Provide Tryout & Roster Guidance Early

Well before 2026–27 tryouts, BRSC will:

• Communicate age-group breakdowns
• Explain roster changes
• Offer coach-led information sessions

3. Offer Player Review Opportunities

BRSC will offer players the opportunity to tryout in their Birth Calendar Year (BCY) and their School Calendar Year (SCY). An official meeting and walkthrough with parents will be set soon. Players interested in trying out for their BCY are still expected to try out in their SCY. Our goal is provide opportunities while providing the best development opportunities for every player.

4. Support Coaches, Managers & Families

Our staff will receive training on the new system so they can confidently guide parents through the change.

What Families Can Do Now

While the change officially begins in Fall 2026, parents can start preparing by:

• Reviewing our BRSC age-group chart once released
• Talking with our staff about how the shift may affect them
• Reaching out to the BRSC staff with questions
• Staying plugged into club emails and updates

The goal is transparency, clarity, and ensuring every player finds the right environment to grow.

BRSC’s Commitment

Transitions like this can raise questions, but they also create opportunities.

We believe the move to a school-year model will:

• Strengthen team culture
• Improve player retention
• Align competitive pathways with academic progression
• Expand developmental and collegiate opportunities

BRSC is committed to making this transition as smooth and supportive as possible for every family in our club.

Questions? We’re Here to Help.

If you have questions about your child’s specific age group or the upcoming transition:

We encourage you to wait for our first parent information session. This will answer most of your questions. The details of this meeting will be announced. Following them meeting you you contact our staff with questions.

Email: info@brsoccer.org
Contact your Director of Coaching

Marvin Smith, BRSC Competitive Director
Kiran Booluck, Louisiana Elite Soccer Program Technical Director

We look forward to navigating this change together and continuing to provide every player in Baton Rouge the best possible soccer experience.

BRSC Competitive Soccer is designed for players who want to be challenged in a structured, development-focused environment while learning the values that extend far beyond the field.

Our program emphasizes growth, accountability, and love for the game to help players become confident decision-makers, committed teammates, and resilient competitors.

Our Mission

BRSC’s Competitive Program exists to provide a top-quality competitive soccer experience that develops committed athletes into outstanding soccer players and team members.

We strive to create a competitive atmosphere built on:

• Excellence
• Fair play
• Continuous improvement

Our goal is to instill passion, maturity, and self-confidence in every player, qualities that will benefit them not only in soccer but throughout their lives.

Our Philosophy

The BRSC Competitive Program is built around developing each aspiring player to their fullest potential through ball mastery, skill development, and commitment to team play.

We focus on producing players who are technically sound and tactically equipped to play a possession-oriented style of soccer. Players are encouraged to think, make decisions, and take responsibility on the field.

Athletics is one of the few places in life where kids can take risks, and we believe that matters.

Mistakes are learning moments.
Decisions belong to the player.
The last shot, the pass, the dribble; it’s their game.

Our Vision

Our vision is to produce a program of soccer excellence recognized throughout Louisiana and Region III.

We pursue this vision by:

• Providing consistent, high-quality coaching
• Creating optimal training environments at every age
• Offering a clear pathway from competitive to elite programming
• Placing players in environments that best support their development and enjoyment

Who the Competitive Program Is For

The BRSC Competitive Program serves players from 11U through 19U who are ready for a higher level of training, competition, and commitment.

Competitive soccer is a good fit for players who:

• Enjoy being challenged
• Want to improve technically and tactically
• Are motivated to train consistently
• Value teamwork and accountability

Levels of Competition

BRSC offers various levels of competition within each age group.

These levels allow players to compete with others of similar ability and experience. Not every age group will have all divisions, but the goal is always balanced teams and meaningful competition.

Player Placement & Team Formation

Players are placed through the BRSC Player Placement Process (Tryouts).

BRSC staff coaches evaluate players based on:

• Technical ability
• Tactical understanding
• Athleticism
• Attitude and effort
• Long-term development potential

Teams are formed by coaches to ensure fairness and competitive balance. Player movement between teams and levels is normal and expected as players grow.

Coaching & Training Environment

All BRSC Competitive teams are led by qualified, licensed, and highly trained coaches following a club-wide curriculum.

Training incorporates a variety of proven methodologies, including:

• Progressive technical and tactical development
• Play–Practice–Play
• Functional training (opposed play in 1/3 of the field)
• Phase play (opposed play in 2/3 of the field)
• Shadow training
• POD training
• Age Group Directors supporting “economical training.”

This approach ensures players learn the why behind the game, not just the how.

Playing Format

• U12: 9v9
• U13 and older: 11v11

These formats align with national standards and support proper player development.

Practice Frequency & Expectations

Practice schedules vary by level:

• Black level teams: Three nights per week (mandatory)
• Red level teams: Three nights per week (optional)
• Maroon level teams: Two nights per week
• 10U Program: Three nights per week (optional)

Practice & Match Dress Code

Players are expected to arrive prepared and accountable:

• Appropriate Club-issued black Adidas jersey 
• Black Adidas shorts
• Black socks
• Shin guards (required)
  
• Soccer Cleats

Open Door Training Policy

BRSC believes in flexibility and development opportunities.

Any registered BRSC Competitive player may practice with a team one age group above or below their current age.

How it works:

• Practice schedules are available online
• Notify the coach before attending (staff directory online)
• Players should ask their coach for a recommendation
• Supports multi-sport athletes and development flexibility

Playing Time Philosophy

Playing time varies by age and level and is designed to support development while preparing players for higher levels of competition.

U10–U12

All players will play at least 50% of the total season minutes. Weekly playing time may vary, but season totals should balance out. Practice attendance, effort, and behavior may impact this.

U13

This is a transition year to full-field soccer. Players will be guaranteed approximately 40% of total season minutes, with weekly variations based on coaching decisions and development needs.

U14–U19

There is no guaranteed playing time at this level.

Players are expected to compete for minutes, embrace challenges, and push themselves daily. Coaches determine playing time based on match needs, situations, effort, attendance, and performance.

Expectations of BRSC Parents

Parents play a vital role in the experience. We ask BRSC parents to:

• Support your child without coaching or judging
• Allow your child to enjoy the game
• Establish family core values around sport
• Respect teammates, coaches, opponents, and referees

Competitive soccer is about growth, not perfection.

The Bigger Picture

We can’t take risks in most areas of life: academics, safety, or social development.

Soccer is different.

Here, players learn:

• How to take responsibility
• How to make decisions
• How to handle success and failure
• How to grow through competition

That’s the BRSC Competitive experience.

If you have any questions, please contact BRSC Competitive Director Marvin Smith and BRSC Competitive Administrator Kevin Hoeprich.