We have had an 18U team for about 8 years. Get about 3 - 4 each year out of 14U and hold on to them until they age out. Pretty much the same methodology as a 4 year college program.
not enough 16U players
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Same around here.
16U is an oddity. Organizations and teams go from 14U to 18Gold. Most 14U teams (espically the 2nd year '99) play as futures or prospects. Most round robins and a lot of tournaments combine 14/16U. We played in one of those last weekend.
It's interesting to see the regional differences. "16U" is strong around here, although the top teams are a mix of 2-3 birth years. Strong players generally play 2, maybe 3, years combined at 14U and 16U. They don't move up to 18U until they've committed or have several colleges following them.
It is a mistake around here to move up to 18U prematurely because there is very little recruiting happening there. The D1 coaches watching 18U are just checking up on their own recruits and are not looking for new ones. With the shift to recruiting earlier, uncommitted players are more likely to be seen at 16U - and 14U now - than 18U. They're better off playing for a strong 16U team than an average/mediocre 18U team.
It is a mistake around here to move up to 18U prematurely because there is very little recruiting happening there. The D1 coaches watching 18U are just checking up on their own recruits and are not looking for new ones. With the shift to recruiting earlier, uncommitted players are more likely to be seen at 16U - and 14U now - than 18U. They're better off playing for a strong 16U team than an average/mediocre 18U team.
