Team age cut-offs are changing in 2026
Although the 2026 competition tryouts are still several months away, it’s essential to begin understanding the changes now and how they will affect your player.
UYSA announced in 2025 that they will be returning to the School Grade-Based structure rather than birth-year. You can learn more about this change in our recent article that outlines the need and rules for the change. But how does this impact parents, players, and coaches, and how do we prepare for the changes? We’ve received a lot of questions on this topic already, and we hope we can address some of them now.
How will this impact coaches and teams?
In previous seasons, UYSA teams were formed using a birth-year model, which grouped players strictly by birth year rather than school grade. While this system was straightforward, it often resulted in teams made up of players from different school grades. For example, players born in 2013 could be either 6th- or 7th-grade students, playing on the same team.
Beginning with the 2026–2027 season, teams will be aligned by school grade, with players most likely in the same academic year. This change significantly impacts how teams are structured and how coaches plan for future seasons.
What do coaches have to decide?
For competition teams, coaches will be required to declare to CMSC the school-grade year their team will compete in for upcoming tryouts and registrations. This means coaches must intentionally choose which grade level they are building their roster around.
For example, a coach who previously led a boys’ 2013 team must now decide whether that team will compete as a 7th-grade team or an 8th-grade team for the 2026–2027 season. That decision directly affects which players are eligible to remain on the roster.
If that same coach chooses to field a 7th-grade team, players who will be 8th graders would no longer be eligible for that roster. Conversely, if the coach chooses to play up a grade, younger players who do not wish to move up – or whom the coach believes would benefit from staying at their current grade – may need to find placement with another team.
While players are still permitted to play up one grade, as in previous years, these placements are not automatic and will remain at the coach’s discretion. Coaches must consider team balance, player development, competitive level, and long-term sustainability when making these decisions.
Overall, this shift requires coaches to take a more forward-looking approach to roster planning, with an emphasis on grade alignment, player retention, and the long-term health of each team. Copper Mountain Soccer® is working closely with coaches to navigate these changes and support thoughtful, well-planned team formations during this transition.
How should players prepare?
Step One: Understand your assigned grade year
The first and most important step is understanding which school-grade year your player will be assigned to for the 2026–2027 season. This will determine which teams they are eligible for during tryouts and registration.
The cut-off for each grade will be August 1st. If a player, for example, has a July birthday and was held back from starting school for whatever reason, then that player may be expected to play in one grade older than they currently attend in school. However, exceptions could be granted by the state depending on the division the player will be competing in, location, and any other specifics that could affect the player.
Step Two: Have an open conversation about playing up/down or staying at grade level
Once you know your player’s assigned grade year, take time to talk with them about whether they hope to play up a grade or are comfortable playing at their current grade level. This is a personal decision and should consider both soccer development and overall experience.
There are several factors to weigh when considering playing up:
PROS
- A potential opportunity to remain with a prior team, teammates, and coach
- Familiarity with team culture, systems, and expectations
- Continued growth in a more challenging and competitive environment
- Players with August birthdays who are the youngest in their grade would have the opportunity to play in their own grade, regardless of the cutoff. They would technically be playing up, but would be playing in their current grade in school.
CONS
- Older players often bring increased size, speed, and physicality, which can raise the level of competition
- Playing up may limit playing time or role development, depending on team needs
- As older players reach high school, teams may shrink or dissolve during provisional seasons, which take place during the HS soccer season. This could leave younger players, or players who didn’t make the HS team, needing to find another team to play with during that season.
- When a 12th-grade team graduates, this would leave 11th graders needing to either find a new team for their 12th-grade year or bring on players at tryouts to replace the graduating players. The number of graduating players will greatly affect the success of the last option.
It’s also important to remember that playing up is not guaranteed. While UYSA allows players to play up at least one grade, once a player has reached the competitive U9 age, final roster decisions are always at the coach’s discretion, based on team needs, player development, and long-term team viability.
Step Three: Communicate with your coach
Once you’ve decided on the upcoming tryouts and registration, it’s important to start that conversation with your coach as early as possible. Ask about their plans or what options they are considering. Keep in mind that coaches are navigating these changes as well and are coordinating with other teams, so they may not have all the answers yet. Many coaches are working together to identify how to best support our players through these changes.
Preparing for Tryouts
If a player decides they do not want to play up a grade – or if playing up is not an option – there are still many positive pathways forward. A change in team or coach does not mean a step backward; in many cases, it can create new opportunities for growth, leadership, and confidence.
Connecting with new coaches and teams
Players who will be moving to a new team should begin by:
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- Reviewing the available teams for their assigned school grade once team declarations are published, which will be no later than April 1st, although coaches may make changes or teams could be added after publication.
- Communicating openly with coaches about their experience, position preferences, and goals for the season
- Attending tryouts for teams aligned with their grade year or older grades, even if they are unsure where they may fit
Tryouts are designed to evaluate players fairly and place them in an environment where they can continue to develop. Players are encouraged to approach this process with confidence and flexibility, understanding that many teammates will be navigating similar changes. You can learn more about CMSC tryouts on our site, but also follow us on social media to get the latest information when it is available.
What if your current team is changing?
If a coach decides to play down a grade or restructure their team, some players may need to find a new team placement. In these situations, Copper Mountain Soccer® will work to help guide players toward appropriate teams and coaches whenever possible. Families should stay informed, watch for club communications, and be proactive about attending scheduled tryouts and evaluations.
Considering Double Rostering
Some players may have the option to double-roster, meaning they train and compete with two teams during the season, with one team established as the primary team. When available, this can be a valuable opportunity for players who want additional development, competition, or flexibility during this transition period.
Double rostering can allow players to:
- Continue training or competing with a familiar team
- Gain experience at a different competitive level or grade
- Keep options open as teams adjust to the new grade-based structure
However, it’s important to consider how double rostering may impact a player’s season:
- When there is a training or game conflict, the primary team takes precedence
- Double rostering can lead to a physical strain on the player if they do not have recovery time between training and games.
- The schedule of two teams may become overwhelming to a player, as it can monopolize a player’s time and availability for other interests
- This commitment is usually for the year, and the secondary team may depend on a double-rostered player for team stability
- The future – especially as teams begin to move into high school–aged soccer. As players age, team availability can change due to high school soccer participation, scheduling demands, or other interests. A team that feels stable now may not exist in the same form in future seasons.
Players and families should discuss double rostering with both coaches to ensure expectations, playing time, and development goals are clear. When used intentionally, double rostering can be a strong developmental tool, but it should support – not complicate – a player’s path as they plan.
How parents can help
Parents play an important role in helping players navigate this transition with confidence and clarity. While the changes may feel complex, your support and communication can make a meaningful difference in your player’s experience.
Ways parents can help include:
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- Stay informed by reviewing club communications and understanding how the grade-based structure impacts your player
- Have open conversations with your player about their goals, comfort level, and long-term development—not just the upcoming season
- Encourage flexibility and patience, recognizing that many teams and coaches are adjusting simultaneously
- Communicate respectfully and early with coaches when questions arise, while understanding that final decisions may take time
- Support the tryout process by keeping expectations realistic and framing change as an opportunity rather than a setback
Most importantly, help your player focus on what they can control: effort, attitude, growth, and enjoyment of the game. A positive mindset during this transition will go a long way.
Stay Up-to-Date
Copper Mountain Soccer® is working closely with each coach to help analyze team structures and future placements. These are not easy decisions, and there are many unknowns. Please follow us on social media, sign up for our newsletters, or check the website often for updates. We hope to have team alignments complete and published by April 1st.
Are you new to Copper Mountain Soccer®?
Players who are considering joining Copper Mountain Soccer® are encouraged to engage early. This may include:
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- Connecting with coaches once team grade declarations are announced to better understand expectations and opportunities
- Attending training sessions no sooner than the second Saturday in May by reaching out to coaches and making prior arrangements
- Attending tryouts for your grade or older grades you are interested in at the end of May
Early communication helps both players and coaches determine the best fit and ensures a smoother transition into the club.
As this transition unfolds, flexibility, communication, and patience will be key. Copper Mountain Soccer® is committed to supporting players and families through this process and helping every athlete find the right environment to continue enjoying and growing in the game.
*Disclaimer: Changes and exceptions to this change are managed by UYSA and may have additional updates as it goes into effect. This article may be updated without notice. Copper Mountain Soccer will update the website and available information as needed.
