Again I will play devil's advocate here. Why do we care so much what others do? If you want to hold your kid back (and the kid agrees) then do it. What do I care? If it is for athletic reasons who cares? If this kid has a better athletic experience and gains much needed confidence and maybe some great memories why is that bad? I have not personally held any of my five kids back for sports reasons so I don't have a dog in this fight. I just don't know why we always care so much here what other people do. Live and let live. Let everyone decide for themselves what is right for their families.