An open letter to coaches about player development and playing time...

5/19/2016

Photo Source: Tricia DeJoe.

One of the "hot buttons" in sports today is the conversation around playing time.

It's part of youth, high school, club, and even collegiate sports.

From time to time I will hear a comment that goes something like this...

"How are they supposed to get any better if they don't get more playing time?"

I think the question is well-intentioned.

That said, I would suggest that playing time isn't where improvement lives, it's where mastery is displayed.

A game is an outward expression of the skills mastered through intentional preparation.

By the time game day rolls around, the opportunity to work on the technical and tactical aspects of any sport will have already happened (or not).

In practice with teammates.
In the backyard/driveway.
In taking extra reps after practice.
In coming to practice early for more reps.
In studying film to learn from others.
In watching professionals.
In asking coaches questions at practice.
In white-boarding concepts at practice.

Notice how many times the word practice keeps popping up. That's intentional, too.

There is no short-cut to progress.

So how should we handle it when someone says "Why didn't so and so play more today...or at all?".

It's not an attack on your coaching, it's an opportunity for a healthy conversation.

Still don't believe me?

Let's look #InTheClassroom.

You wouldn't expect to earn an A on a test if you never studied for it, or did homework and practice problems.

You don't get better because you took the test, you get better because you prepare, and are ready for the test.

The test is an outward expression of your intentional preparation.

Still not sure?

Think about relationships.

The trust you are trying to earn from the people around you isn't demanded, it's earned. Over time, and intentionally.

Just like playing time.

Earned.

So the next time that playing time comes up, take a step back. Don't look to defend your position, see it as an opportunity to continue to manage expectations.

Yes, I said continue.
Progress is a process, not an event.

Once parents know where you stand, why you stand there, and what you are looking for...they will likely stand with you to help their child make progress.

#OnTheField
#InTheClassroom
#InTheCommunity

And if they don't?

You just got stronger as a team because one of your distractions is headed in another direction. You're welcome. :)

I'll close by saying that nothing brings me greater joy than to see players I've coached learn, grow, and achieve moments they weren't sure they could. Yes, personal development is part of player development.

I've coached long enough now to see former players start great careers, getting married, starting families of their own...and beginning to coach themselves.

And while we may look back and talk about a game here and there...none of it matters as much as we thought it did then. Shocker, I know. :)

No one focuses on how much they played, when they know how much you cared.

But they do remember that they were there, who they were with, and that they had a great experience...together.

Value the conversations and the journey, not the confrontations and wasted energy.

We'll talk more about this topic on and off in my blog. I hope that each time we do, you take it as an opportunity to be a positive influence in the lives of your student-athletes, and their families.

Thanks for stopping by, coach.

And if you are a parent happening by today...it's great to see you, too.

Please know that as coaches we are trying our hardest to provide a great experience for your kids, and honored to be part of your family's journey through life.

Well...gotta run.
I have a practice to prepare for.

18 Comments

Mike

5/21/2016 02:28:58 pm

I love the face value of this well crafted letter. There are a few realities that creep in that affect playing time, as well. Like it, deny it, minimize it or not, team politics impact playing time as well. Think the Booster president/ team mom's kid is just sitting the bench the whole time? How about if your own kid is on the team? What about the new kid that moves into the district and has nobody to work with that makes him look good? Every coach want to put a winning program on the field but there are definitely other ugly truths that keep equally skilled kids off the field.

Bob

5/22/2016 09:58:21 am

Mike,
While in some programs pushy and over involved parents try to exert political pressure on coaches I do not think that is the norm. In fact one of the best pieces of advice I was ever given was to make sure any parent who had a position (manager, team mom, etc) also had one of the top 3 players on the team as to not put yourself in a bad position as far as playing time or favoritism. Most of the time I hear parents say this I have two reactions: the evaluation process should always be left up to the professional. In this case the coach. Often times parents evaluate their child with rose colored glasses in the limited time they see them not the hours of weekly practice they get with coaches.
Second, I think of all the times a parent says, "my kid is failing your class because you (the teacher) just don't like them. " I think as a parent it's harder to accept the reality that maybe your kid just isn't good at math or maybe they were irresponsible and didn't do their homework or study enough. That reality is often hard because we feel like our children's lack of success, however measured, reflects upon our ability as a parent and how we look in the eyes of other parents. In my experience the kids are way better at self evaluation then their own parents. If asked, they will say "I didn't study; she is better than me; I forgot the project was due." It's only when defended by the parent do kids not have to be responsible for their actions. This is important because in this case the actions are typically reflected in their work ethic in practice which predictably enough relates directly to their playing time.
While I have no doubt that politics sometime rears its ugly head in a game that is supposed to there for kids to have fun, build confidence, and learn how to be good people, I can't help but feel like complaining about his just allows your child to be the marter and never fight for something. If my daughter came to me and said they felt they were treated unfairly because someone's mom donated money or is on the board I would tell them to get better and work harder. If they were really good enough to help the team reach their goals they would be on the field. Best of luck in the future!

Rob

5/23/2016 07:34:02 pm

I do believe they some kids are made to make it and some are not. That is up for time to tell not a young or uneasiness coach to decide. At an age under 15 all players have not connected with anything concert with there skills or ability. That's where the opportunity and coaching comes in to lift up the kids that need the coaching to achieve the potential. Then when qualified and unbiased coaches reach that level for our youth to succeed they have done there job. Then the kids can decide it it is a future option and they can that there coaches.

5/23/2016 07:40:13 pm

Yes the ugly truths can do a lot of damage. Inrepairible at time to a young mind.

Paul crowhurst

5/23/2016 11:54:48 pm

It is very hard to please all the people all the time, in my case my son has suffered more than others, I am the coach and I would take my own son off to make sure I was not overly favouring him over the other boys. If your intentions are made clear at the beginning of the season as to whether you are going to compete to win trophys or make sure everybody gets a good length of game time then the kids and parents can make the choice.

TAL

5/23/2017 10:44:40 am

You hit the nail on the head. Playing time is earned in a competitive league, not mommy/daddy ball rec. league where cliques and biases tend to hinder progress for all.

Billy Costine

5/21/2016 11:31:35 pm

Hi John, a good letter defining your arguement. Hope all is well.

Steve link

5/25/2016 05:42:16 pm

I find most youth coaches aren't coaches at all play their kids and their friends kids more often or even worse they just simply want kids who already know what to do and just want to sit back and her themselves yap

5/23/2017 10:58:28 am

Absolute truth right there.

Dave

5/22/2016 08:16:25 pm

As a coach I appreciate your take on this but I must disagree with you on one point. Maybe playing time isn't where improvement lives, but more playing time leads to improvement. I believe skill development does happen in games. I have seen quite a few players master a skill in games, especially tournaments, where they get to play competitively 3 or four games consecutively with no practice in between. In fact I would go so far as to say there is no substitute for in game experience. The practice habits of a player are critical to this but I favor a more balanced approach to playing time at least up to U13, especially since we as coaches cannot predict who will develop into the best athletes and who will even stick with the game.

Robert Tenamore

5/23/2016 07:26:35 pm

Wow many props on the comment. Agree all the way. Coached for last 10 years or more. This year my middle son wanted to do travel soccer. I did not coach. After going to all extra trainings and leagues was set to go full throttle. Didn't play for 3 straight games and for 2 was only one. Left field with tears not wanting to play anymore. Back pocket coaching and league, now my son is without a team and just wants to play /learn and have fun.

5/24/2016 01:39:18 pm

Isn't the point that everyone takes the test, pass or fail? At some point the best talent will rise to the top, not at age 10 or even age 13-14. Some athletes practice well but can't handle the pressure of the game.

Not all coaches possess the same goals or objectives. Many volunteers go into it with the very best of intentions and actually carry out their plan with integrity with idea of developing the kid. Others (parents too) have rose colored glasses especially when their kid is on the field. Problems can multiply when a team has multiple parents in coaching positions. The other kids know the difference and you will offen hear the affection they have for those teachers and coaches long after their interaction with those special individuals.

Coaches need leverage to motivate kids to practice and excel. After all it is a team sport and everyone needs to pull together. It's not a socialistic society where the top performers and disciplined participants share equal playing time with those who contribute less at practice or in effort or output.

But kids develop at different times. I don't think Jordan Speith got better by just practicing or observing from outside the ropes. Try playing in any meaningful event without having the experience of playing in games leading up to that important event. To become tournament tough you must compete in live action and be tested many times against your peers to find out if you do have the right stuff. How else will you improve? Organizations committed to developing talent are generally thought to be the best organizations long term sports or business.

That said, there is the balance of a parent and competitor being honest with themselves about the level of talent and ability they possess. I recall a quote from a former NFL quarterback who said he thanked the good Lord for not calling him to be a NBA player because he simply did not possess the ability.

The point is we do get better by taking the test. We find the truth about who we are and where our talents exist and deciding if we want to get better. The best baseball players fail 7 times out of every 10 at bats. Good players who supposedly have mastered the game go thru horrific slumps.

Bottom line is find a situation that works best in the overall development of your child. It's great when the universes run parallel with each other but sometimes they do collide.

Bwin

5/25/2016 01:02:23 pm

Kara M

5/26/2016 11:05:00 am

If talking about high school sports, I agree. I 100% disagree for players in grade school. Specially for late bloomers, children that weren't fortunate enough to play for travel teams, or for children that didn't have parents around 24/7 to take them
To the gym daily or push them to the point of a break down. There could be two children with the same amount of skills, and one gets more playing time than the other, it is statistically obvious that the one with more playing time would play better. It's more than just skills. It's being comfortable on the court and in a game situation. It's having the increased confidence that you can only gain with playing time. And if you don't think coaches kids don't play more than others, you are in denial. Of course, I am not speaking of the coaches kids that deserve to play because they are the best. There are plenty of coaches out there that think their kid is better than they are, or deserve the extra time since they are coaching. You also see the same players have a terrible game but aren't taken out, and then there is another child that will make one mistake and be pulled. If you're thinking my children must not play and I am just being disgruntled, you are wrong. Both children have played sports since they were 3. Both travel and regular teams and my oldest is going into 7th and starts on her team. I think this article is more a cop out for coaches that don't sub their players. The ones that think it's more important to win than to build self esteem and self confidence and team playing. Is there going to be those top athletes who are better than everyone and should play all
The time? Absolutely. They have natural talent and I'm sure work their tail off. However, they are usually few and far between. I also coach my children's teams as well. And my daughter's travel team? I play equal time. They also earn their starting position by how hard they practiced that week. I don't care who helps coach, whose parents fund the booster club, or if we win or lose. I care if the kids learned something, grew in some form or another, played as a team, and took ownership for their own mistakes.

5/26/2016 07:28:02 pm

Said very well in deed! All kids deserve the chance to let there skills come out but for some it comes later than others. By not playing a youngster thats is trying his best, you are derailing the pursuit to become a better player.

Sydney

5/30/2016 05:39:08 am

My son’s coach emailed this article to the team after our last game of the season - a U13 State Cup game in which he decided not to sub. Instead he put in the eleven best/most fit players in his mind. We lost 1:3. If I didn’t think my son would bear the brunt of my comments I would email the reply below to his coach. A bit of a background to put the letter in context: My son plays on the Premier (Travel) U13 team. The club (Sparta) has two lower U13 teams. Throughout the year the coach has subbed normally and most kids played at least 50% of each game. The team had to win or draw the last game of the State Cup in order to move to the quarterfinals. It was this game in which the coach suddenly decided not to sub. - He sent this article to the team as justification for his decision.

Dear [Coach],

Thank you for the email and the article. I agree with the article - that a player needs to practice on their own if they want to improve. However, I think he left out several considerations when it comes to playing time. I will use our State Cup game against Forza as an example.

In the Forza game you decided to pick a starting group and play them virtually the entire game. I assume these were the eleven best players (skill & fitness-wise) on that day. This sounds like a reasonable approach and I have seen four other Sparta coaches do this in key games — In everyone of those games the result was the same — Sparta lost in the second half. Also in each game, the opponent seemed to substitute normally - even though it was also a key game for them. For example in the Forza game they started subbing at about the 10 minute mark - 2-4 players at a time. So what is the problem with Sparta’s best players/no subs strategy?

For Sparta:
1- Fatigue: Most of the midfielders and the forwards are not used to playing a full game and are not in proper condition to suddenly be asked to do this - particularly against a strong opponent. Because of our offensive player fatigue, the defense, who often do play a full game, ended up getting more pressure on them during the second half. As a result they ran more and became fatigued as well. It was like taking boys that are used to running 4 miles per game and suddenly expecting them to run 7 miles in a game.

In the Forza game, we controlled the ball for the first 20 minutes, then slowly they started getting more time in our half. By the end of the first half some of our boys were noticeably tired and began slipping/falling, making poor touches and poor passes. In fact, at halftime I commented that if you didn’t start subbing we would loose 3:0 because of fatigue - it was that noticeable. During the second half, Forza controlled the ball except for a few break-aways - we looked no better the second half than we did against La Roca (the best team in the state) in the first State Cup game [we lost that game 5:0 and La Roca controlled the entire game].

2. Motivation: Essentially what you were telling the boys by not subbing was - You boys that are in the game are the best - this encourages them to hold the ball rather than pass - which a few of them do regularly as it is. For the boys on the bench, they interpreted it as - You suck, and we will loose if I let you play.

Have you ever seen the movie “United” - After half the Manchester United team died, the coach recruited anyone he could find. The coach was able to motivate the players — Who didn’t have a lifelong passion for soccer, or any inherent talent — to become one of the best teams in England within a year. Coaching is extraordinarily important and motivation and believing in your players can yield spectacular results. Sitting players on the bench “because you want to win” is not motivation and very unlikely to yield good results from individual players (the ones on the bench or the ones on the field) or the team as a whole.

3. Predicability & Strategy: Without subbing players you are not able to talk to a player during the game and tell them what you want them to do when they go back in. You cannot point out things the other team keeps doing that might be exploited, and they don’t get any rest. You are also less able to mix things up. The Forza team was able to sub out a left wing and then put him back in a few minutes later as a center-mid. This gave them some advantage. He was able to look at our unchanging team and choose which of our players his players could best exploit and then sub them out, talk to them and put them back in against our weak links. - Even in professional soccer many subs are called super-subs - because they come in and effect a change in the game that is advantageous.

For Forza:
Pretty much the opposite of all the negatives for Sparta. They took periodic rests and had less fatigue. They all played and felt an important part of the team. They played the same strategy they did during the regular season. They were able to be co

5/30/2016 05:40:52 am

Continuation from above: For Forza:
Pretty much the opposite of all the negatives for Sparta. They took periodic rests and had less fatigue. They all played and felt an important part of the team. They played the same strategy they did during the regular season. They were able to be coached on the sidelines and they were able to switch things up a bit during the game. As opposed to our predictability.

I don’t know if we would have won the Forza game if we had played our regular game. I certainly think we could have. Unfortunately I think the no-subs strategy, which I have seen Sparta use in the past, is a no-win strategy. So in response to the article you posted, my main problem with the playing-time part of it is that Sparta has multiple teams at each level. No matter which team a player is on - you have to assume he earned the spot on that team. Because of that he should be given the respect of playing and of a motivating coach as long as he is on that team. If, at the end of the year, it is felt he would be better off on another team then that is when the change should be made. That is what tryout are for - correct?

Sitting a player out during key games can have another effect - Players quit soccer all together. I have seen this happen multiple times. In fact, one of the players that played the entire Forza game, was benched in last year’s State Cup when another Sparta coach used the same strategy. He was very close to quitting soccer altogether. Fortunately his parents talked him in to giving it one more year. For a premiere team player it would have been a shame to see him quit because of a poor coaching strategy.

5/30/2016 07:49:45 pm

All these great comments on how all our kids should be given the opportunity to learn and be part of something without selfishness. Should be a win-win for them not a win-win just to win.

whobix

Thanks for stopping by!