[armyfootball#1]

I still hear that some schools that were in the KHSAA finals in football STILL have a culture of MASS holdbacks of kids. Like several from each class so that they have a strong advantage with older kids. Not just one or two.......SEVERAL....and the town has bought in to the what the coach has done for years now.

[Hambley]

It happens.. I don’t feel this should be a sports strategy, but some boys need that extra year of development. Every school has a few it seems.

[Single Wing 77]

A few things.
1. The khsaa rule never stated that kids couldn’t be held back. Just that they couldn’t be held back after sixth grade and compete in the year they were held back. Kids can still hold back as late as 8th grade. They just can’t play sports in those years.
2. Kids can still hold back prior to sixth grade.
3. These rules have only been in effect for three years so the jr’s and sr’s have not been affected by these rules.
4. It’s honestly kind of pathetic when people complain about hold backs. Everyone plays by the same rules. When it comes to sports you have three options. Hold them back and let them have a small advantage. Don’t hold them back and let them have a slight disadvantage. (Homestly, I think it evens out by their jr year) Or just don’t let them play. There is never going to be a blanket rule that states that nobody can hold back ever. People need to stop trying to dictate what others do with their children.

[#55PirateFan]

I still hear that some schools that were in the KHSAA finals in football STILL have a culture of MASS holdbacks of kids. Like several from each class so that they have a strong advantage with older kids. Not just one or two.......SEVERAL....and the town has bought in to the what the coach has done for years now.

Yes, every school is in compliance of the rule book, as far as I know. If they were doing something illegal then KHSAA would have already intervened by now. This has been said for years now. Belfry, and almost all the mountain schools, have been accused of doing something illegal when it comes to this very topic for a long time now. But I promise you, Belfry or none of the other "mountain schools" isn't doing anything that all other Kentucky high schools are doing. Nobody is doing anything illegal to get an upper hand. Some schools just have better coaches, players, programs, and a better middle school system than others and that's why their always usually at the top. Not because their playing players that's old enough to buy beer or cheating.

[Highwayman82]

Holdbacks also can’t turn 19 prior to the beginning of their senior year.

[Elliot Stabler]

It’s just another attempt to take a shot at Johnson Central. Go back and read all of his previous posts, it’s about either holdbacks or Johnson Central. Like #55PirateFan said, every school in the state participating in football (or any sport) must be in compliance of the rules.

[HCS]

Holdbacks also can’t turn 19 prior to the beginning of their senior year.

That's not the rule, even though it would be correct in most cases. If they turn 19 on Aug. 5 and school starts on Aug. 6, they are eligible. The date is Aug. 1, unless it changed.

[single shot]

It’s just another attempt to take a shot at Johnson Central. Go back and read all of his previous posts, it’s about either holdbacks or Johnson Central. Like #55PirateFan said, every school in the state participating in football (or any sport) must be in compliance of the rules.

It’s not just Johnson Central most everyone who’s kid is involved in sports quickly learn if you don’t hold them back your putting them at a disadvantage for most of their time in middle and high school...Just because you don’t agree with holding your kid back doesn’t make it against the rules for everyone else, I’ve heard the complaint from several parents but most of the time their programs simply can’t compete even though they have holdbacks of their own or it’s an excuse because holding little Bobby back wouldn’t help him anyway and deep down they know it...

[#55PirateFan]

It’s just another attempt to take a shot at Johnson Central. Go back and read all of his previous posts, it’s about either holdbacks or Johnson Central. Like #55PirateFan said, every school in the state participating in football (or any sport) must be in compliance of the rules.

I agree Elliot, this post was definitely toward Johnson Central or Belfry, I'd put money on it. But it's all good. We'll both just keep doing what were doing, winning championships, and let KHSAA be the judge of who's breaking the rules and who's not. Nothing going on at either school that's out of compliance with the rule book. Coach Heywood or Coach Matney has gotten where they are by cheating. They got where their at because of the type of programs they run.

[#55PirateFan]

And another thing, not one player on Belfry's team this year was 19 when the season started. And unless I'm badly mistaken, ALL of them are still 18 years old. But what if they did turn19 during the season? No rule was broken and they certainly didn't have any kind of advantage on a kid turning 19 in February or March!

armyfootball#1, I went and looked at all your posts and everyone of them are on this very subject, and you specifically called out Belfry and JC. If that's all I had to contribute to BGR I believe I'd find another hobby. And if it's that important to you, which it certainly seems that way, Google KHSAA, get their phone number, and file a complaint. It's that easy.

[Hound05]

I still hear that some schools that were in the KHSAA finals in football STILL have a culture of MASS holdbacks of kids. Like several from each class so that they have a strong advantage with older kids. Not just one or two.......SEVERAL....and the town has bought in to the what the coach has done for years now.

If it’s within the rules then what’s the problem. I want my kid to to habw the best advantage he can get.

[64black&gold]

This gets old. I wouldn't want my kid graduating at 17 years old whether he played sports or not. It's only noticeable in youth and sometimes middle school ball anyway. Old topic.

[turkeysalad]

The difference between a seventeen-year-old, and a nineteen-year-old is reasonably significant, and if one has proof of this being reality, they should say something to the KHSAA; HOWEVER,...

Without undeniable evidence (a person's birth is quite easy to validate), the poster is essentially drumming up rumors, and negating the successes of some schools, without actually validating any claim.

Here is my attempt at the same ploy:

Rob Gronkowski retired from the Patriots, and he is actually Michael Mayer of Covington Catholic.

Belfry's players are actual pirates, and they looted and plundered their way to another stolen championship.

All of Trinity's starting linemen are backups at Alabama.

The receivers at Boyle Co. are all on steroids.

The internet allows anyone to say anything they wish, without any semblance of retribution. However, the simple act of saying something means nothing. Proof is reality, and without it, one simply looks like a buffoon.

[pjdoug]

This gets old. I wouldn't want my kid graduating at 17 years old whether he played sports or not. It's only noticeable in youth and sometimes middle school ball anyway. Old topic.

is it noticeable that I graduated at 17? nicker:

[Patriot1]

Armycat#1 has to be a Ashland Tomcats fan, this argument has been going on for years so if it’s not a violation of KHSAA rules let it alone. Like someone said that’s the parents choice not anyone else’s. Some do it and some don’t that’s their choice. Like PJDoug said he did graduate at 17 and so did I and believe me it would have probably been better if I hadn’t. Not because of sports but because of maturity as a young man. Heck that might not of helped me either who knows but it is the parent’s decision not any posters.

[Frank Martin]

First let me say I do not care wether or not parents hold their kids back. I believe it is a family decision and when done within the rules I have no problem with it. That being said, lets not pretend it’s not a significant advantage in at least some cases. If you don’t believe it is then why do it? I would add that when multiple players on the same team do it the advantage is obviously multiplied. I wonder what percentages of hold backs were on the teams playing for state championships as compared to other teams. I have no idea if there would be a correlation or not but it would be an interesting study. Also, I know this is becoming more the norm but I also wonder if it is more prevalent in particular regions.

[FootballFan1999]

I’ve never understood the bad part about holdbacks. What’s the detriment?

[pjdoug]

Armycat#1 has to be a Ashland Tomcats fan, this argument has been going on for years so if it’s not a violation of KHSAA rules let it alone. Like someone said that’s the parents choice not anyone else’s. Some do it and some don’t that’s their choice. Like PJDoug said he did graduate at 17 and so did I and believe me it would have probably been better if I hadn’t. Not because of sports but because of maturity as a young man. Heck that might not of helped me either who knows but it is the parent’s decision not any posters.

Definitely not mature at 17.

[64black&gold]

is it noticeable that I graduated at 17? nicker:

Of course not PJ.

[Walt Longmire]

Nope, not at all. Every starter from Johnson Central and Belfry was at least 25 years old.

[#55PirateFan]

Nope, not at all. Every starter from Johnson Central and Belfry was at least 25 years old.

That a a damn lie! My son is just 23.

[OldJacket]

Personally I don’t think boys should graduate at age 17...

[Frank Martin]

Personally I don’t think boys should graduate at age 17...

Just curious as to why? I graduated at 17, my oldest son was 18 years and 1 month when he graduated and my youngest will be the same. So far, with the help of the good Lord we are doing well and they are thriving. Maturity isn’t in a number. I know the brain in males doesn’t fully mature until about 25 years old but I would argue that maturity is mostly a learned trait. I’ll say it again, I believe holding back is a family’s choice but I also believe too many folks do it for the wrong reason.....but that’s just my opinion.

[Frank Martin]

Personally I don’t think boys should graduate at age 17...

Also, the typical age for non hold backs is 18. Hold backs are typically 19 when they graduate.

[OldJacket]

Just curious as to why? I graduated at 17, my oldest son was 18 years and 1 month when he graduated and my youngest will be the same. So far, with the help of the good Lord we are doing well and they are thriving. Maturity isn’t in a number. I know the brain in males doesn’t fully mature until about 25 years old but I would argue that maturity is mostly a learned trait. I’ll say it again, I believe holding back is a family’s choice but I also believe too many folks do it for the wrong reason.....but that’s just my opinion.

Just my experience, I graduated at 17 was lucky enough enough to receive at track scholarship to a NAIA school, taking the time I ran as a freshmen in college at 18 I could have attended most any SEC school if I was still in high school...

[plantmanky]

I know nothing......

[Granny Bear]

I never did like holding kids back to play sports, and every single one of my grandsons were held back!!! Looking back on it now, it was a good thing for them PERSONALLY. The extra level of maturity made a huge difference and I'm glad that they were held back now. I graduated at 17 too pj. It's a special group, isn't it!!! nicker:

The extreme in this hold back mentality happens when mom and dad think little Johnny is going to be the next super star. I know one young man who drove to basketball practice when he was in middle school. He drove a Porche. Follow the thinking there!!!

[Hound05]

I never did like holding kids back to play sports, and every single one of my grandsons were held back!!! Looking back on it now, it was a good thing for them PERSONALLY. The extra level of maturity made a huge difference and I'm glad that they were held back now. I graduated at 17 too pj. It's a special group, isn't it!!! nicker:

The extreme in this hold back mentality happens when mom and dad think little Johnny is going to be the next super star. I know one young man who drove to basketball practice when he was in middle school. He drove a Porche. Follow the thinking there!!!

I think it’s good for boys just for the extra maturity. But I’ve made no secret about it, I want my son to have every advantage he can get.

Little does he know, he won’t have the advantage of driving himself or his brother or sister to school in a PORCHE! Hah

[plantmanky]

I never did like holding kids back to play sports, and every single one of my grandsons were held back!!! Looking back on it now, it was a good thing for them PERSONALLY. The extra level of maturity made a huge difference and I'm glad that they were held back now. I graduated at 17 too pj. It's a special group, isn't it!!! nicker:

The extreme in this hold back mentality happens when mom and dad think little Johnny is going to be the next super star. I know one young man who drove to basketball practice when he was in middle school. He drove a Porche. Follow the thinking there!!!

Well at least he wasnt driving the team bus, I will never forget that one.

[Hound05]

Well at least he wasnt driving the team bus, I will never forget that one.

You’re exaggerating? I hope