Playing Up Policy

KOPSC believes most players develop best at their appropriate grade level and strongly encourages participation in the grade-level groups established by US Youth Soccer as applied by EPYSA and KOPSC.

KOPSC recognizes that exceptionally talented players may exist whose technical, tactical, physical, and mental development exceeds that of their current grade level. To play up, a player must be assessed by the professional staff as an impact player, ranking within the top 25% of the older grade level. Playing as an impact player offers distinct developmental advantages, whereas playing as a "depth player" in an older bracket can cause a player to regress. Decisions are based solely on the player’s developmental best interests and not on prestige or a specific team’s needs.

Parents/Guardians who wish for their child to be considered for a play-up evaluation must submit a request to the tryout committee. All players must first attend and be assessed at their grade-appropriate tryout session. Following the initial grade-level assessment, KOPSC professional staffing will evaluate the player's performance. If deemed appropriate by the professional staffing, a player seeking to play up may then be requested to participate in the older grade tryout. KOPSC professional staffing will review all relevant data from these sessions to determine the placement that best serves the child’s long-term progression. A request for a play-up evaluation does not guarantee participation in the older grade tryout.

Play-up designations are evaluated annually; playing up one year does not guarantee the same placement the following year, and prior team affiliation is not a consideration. Our goal is to ensure every child is placed in an environment that maximizes their growth and love for the game.

After registering for tryouts, parents who wish for their child to be considered for a play-up evaluation must email tryouts@kopsc.org.