In competitive club soccer, the age divisions include only players born in the same 12-month period (not a 24-month period as in recreational soccer). For each season that your child is playing in, your child's age division is based on his/her age as of the previous July 31. And, here is where a little imagination is needed. For example, if it's December, January, or February and you are signing up for an upcoming spring league, pretend that your child is already playing during the spring and, then, think of how old your child was last July 31. However, if it's May, June, or July and your child is signing up for an upcoming fall league, pretend that you're already playing in the fall league, and think of how old your child was on July 31.

PLAY UP? Should your child play Ý up? Maybe, but probably not. Read this for more insight.