What Does Playing Time Really Mean?

Many players believe that playing time means they are successful; not getting playing time means they suck. (That's typical of young teens.) When they play, they are very happy, even giddy. Yet, while on the bench, they believe they are horrible. As players get older and wiser, they realize that none of those is true.

When an athlete IS getting a lot of playing time, that only means one thing:

The coaches feel that no one else who's on the bench can do a better job.

When an athlete is not getting much playing time, that only means one thing:

The coaches believe the girls on the court are better than her, on that day, at that moment.

That's all playing time (or lack of it) is. Nothing more. Nothing less.

When I was a boy, I sat the bench on several teams, and I never touched the bench on others. And the same was true then as it is true now. And in order to get more playing time, I had to convince the coach that I as the boy who could get the job done. My job was to convince the coaches at practice, during warm-ups, at open gyms, ...ANYWHERE and EVERYWHERE.

Now back to the present. On our team in 2005, this convincing process is a constant, ongoing process.

I've told all the players several times that playing time will come and go for nearly everyone; yet, I've also told them that playing time doesn't indicate the quality of the person!! I've told my players that every one of them is just as important as every other one and that the people who aren't playing are just as important as the people who are.

The following is fact on all teams: The players on the court (in most instances) are merely the ones who are little ahead in their skills. So, parents and players: the players on the team do compete for positions and playing time. The assistant coach and I have to play who we feel are stronger players at that moment, on that day, during that week. For younger players, the players' hitting/passing/serving/setting abilities varies.

While I player may be a fine volleyball player. Coaches cannot guarantee that she'll play 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% at a tournament. Coaches must have the ability to adjust strategies and players should cheerful and supportive when not playing, and to give there best effort when she is playing. So, the moral to all of this is: In every sport, if a player is disappointed with whatever's happening, he or she will get more playing time and that playing time will come quicker if he or she is supportive/cheerful/encouraging.

Parents and players must understand that some coaches understand player's feelings, and have a certain amount of patience with emotional players. But other coaches might not. Other coaches may fuss or embarrass players, possibly in public. You think not playing is rough? Wait until a coach gets in your face and goes, "WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?"

The main thing to remember is that volleyball is a team sport. Some of learning volleyball is also learning the valuable lesson that the world does not revolve around one player and that a team, working together, sacrificing personal gain for the grater good is one of the greatest life-lessons that our young athletes can learn.