When I played youth ball (LL, BR) it was always in multiple age groups. High school and Legion is 18u ball regardless of your age. College is 22u regardless of your age. My attitude was if I can't be as talented as you I will out work you to compete. With this kind of work ethic the game got easy as I hit the top end of the age group when I worked hard and had the talent. In college it allowed me to be competent enough to be a starter.
More importantly this attitude carried over into the professional aspect of my life. Playing sports as a kid is about a lot more than just playing the sport.
A friend of mine summed it up perfectly. How do you beat a guy in street, touch football who is willing to dive in the street to make a catch if you're not willing to do the same? I'm not suggesting anyone tell their kid to go dive in the street. I hope I don't have to explain.