To Win or Not to Win

Here's the latest dilemma from the high school ranks. A coach asked me what I thought of this situation: the coach's best player always does well when she's in the game, but for some reason the team doesn't. Apparently she gets great stats, but the team loses.

When they put her on the bench and a less skilled player is in her spot, the team wins. The coach thinks it is ridiculous not to play her best player and so do the player's parents. What's a coach to do?

This is an unusual situation to be sure. But I would have to say that you must go with the line up that wins games. Your best starting six on paper is not always the best starting six in reality. Don't underestimate chemistry and other 'x' factors that may make the difference between winning and losing.

As a coach, your job is to win games as much as you possibly can. If you don't, you could soon be relieved of your duties. You should do what it takes to get the W, even if that means benching your best player.

There's a lesson in this for the player as well. Volleyball is a team sport. If you're the team's best player, it is not enough for you to just concern yourself with your own stats. Your job is to bring your team up to your level and make everyone around you better. Until this player can do that, she should remain on the bench.