SIYHA Play-Up Policy

The South Indy Youth Hockey (SIYHA) Board recognizes that in rare and specific cases it can be appropriate and beneficial to a player’s development for him or her to play-up to the next age classification. However, a balance needs to be struck to avoid placing the desire of a player above the legitimate opportunity for that individual to be successful in an older age classification. Equally important, the short and long-term best interests of SIYHA must be given consideration. SIYHA Board of Directors and Travel Coaches will not cut a player(s) of age to accommodate player(s) of lower age group desire to play-up.

There is an increased risk of injury for participants playing outside of their designated age classification. However, USA Hockey allows movement in certain situations if specific guidelines are followed. You should carefully consider the increased risk involved and follow the guidelines below when making a request to move a participant into an older age classification.

• A participant will not be permitted to move up more than one year in age. For example, a first year Squirt cannot be moved to the Pee Wee level. A second year Squirt may advance to Pee Wee. This will apply at Mite, Squirt, Pee Wee and Bantam Levels.
• Only requests submitted to the SIYHA Board and Director of Coaching in writing by the participant’s parents, legal guardians or coach will be considered. This request must be submitted at least 14 days prior to the designated tryout date.
• Criteria for allowing play-up participants will be based on, but may not be limited to, the evaluation of the participant’s skill and ability to contribute to the older team and the participant’s maturity level as it relates to the older team.
• Allowing participants to move from a non-checking division to a checking division represents the greatest risk and will only be granted under rare circumstances.
• The SIYHA Board of Directors specifically reserves the right to reverse any decision allowing a participant to play-up at any time. If a participant that has moved up is experiencing difficulty, as determined by the SIYHA Board of Directors and or the player’s coach, the board may reverse the decision allowing the participant to play-up. In this case every attempt will be made to place the participant on a similar level team within the participant’s proper age classification. There are no guarantees that the participant will be placed on another team. Parents and players should carefully consider this outcome prior to making a request to play-up.
• The SIYHA Board of Directors will make the final decision on allowing a player to play-up, based upon the collective recommendation Director of Coaching and respective coaches. Alternatives may be recommended, including movement between travel and house categories at the age-appropriate level. The decision will be final.