Youth sport programs must offer children the opportunity to participate successfully and without injury, and the optimum development of each child should be the ultimate aim of all sport programs. A classification system can achieve these goals by accurate testing and placement of participants. Classification is needed because children do not grow and mature on identical schedules, and age and grade level alone provide insufficient information about a student's readiness for competitive sports. The composite factors on which to base any classification system include: a thorough medical examination, age, height, weight, interests of child and parents, biological maturation, physical fitness, motor skill development, and psychological profile. If the program is very large, groups may be developed within a narrow homogeneous range. The system should also allow for coeducational participation, provided the classification allows all participants a relatively equal chance for success. (JD)