Play Time for U9-U11

[Anonymous]

Is it normal to have a significant disparity of playing time for young players?

Team roster is typical size. 50% of the players are getting 2x the playing time during games when compared to the other 50%. Some are in for 20-25 minutes per game, while others are in for 45-50 minutes per game. A few players are not getting subbed at all across the entire game, while another few players are in and out 4-5 times a game.

The coach also has the same starting line up for every game--so the same 3 kids are sitting out of the first 10-15 minutes of every single game. None of the kids getting limited play time are missing practice or games and skill wise they are fine (some, but not a lot, of difference between them and the others).

I know for older teams this is probably standard, but is this normal on younger travel teams? It is starting to create some unnecessary confidence issues and wondering if we need to raise with the coach

[Anonymous]

U9 or U11? i think there is a difference.

[Anonymous]

That is how it was on my son’s travel team for the past few years (u9-10). Now at u11, playing time is even more lopsided. The starting line up easily plays twice as much as the subs. Defenders play the majority of the game with a only a very brief break. Goalie plays the entire game. The same kids always start in the remaining positions but they’re usually only subbed at the end of the half unless someone is injured or really playing poorly.

[Anonymous]

NP, but I don't understand why the strategy is to bench all 3 of the same "weaker" players at the start of every game! Could someone explain to me the rationale of this?...If not, would one of you who is close to a coach who does this tell them that it wouldn't be THAT hard to disguise the targeting of these players a *little* bit by just rotating in which of the 3 doesn't have to sit out for the first ten minutes of every game. Sub them out, quickly...fine. But don't saddle them with the stigma of being THAT kid every single time by making it obvious you aren't starting them. It's just...really really simple not to do this. Especially at this awkward age where kids pick up quickly on this but don't have the social awareness to keep it to themselves.

[Anonymous]

They seem to be rotating everyone during our U9 games. DD seems to have an equal amount of playing time and has been in all positions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it normal to have a significant disparity of playing time for young players?

Team roster is typical size. 50% of the players are getting 2x the playing time during games when compared to the other 50%. Some are in for 20-25 minutes per game, while others are in for 45-50 minutes per game. A few players are not getting subbed at all across the entire game, while another few players are in and out 4-5 times a game.

The coach also has the same starting line up for every game--so the same 3 kids are sitting out of the first 10-15 minutes of every single game. None of the kids getting limited play time are missing practice or games and skill wise they are fine (some, but not a lot, of difference between them and the others).

I know for older teams this is probably standard, but is this normal on younger travel teams? It is starting to create some unnecessary confidence issues and wondering if we need to raise with the coach

In my experience for U11 and up travel teams-yes it is normal. Playing time is the biggest issue on every team. Starting at U11 there are kids that play all game every game and some of the subs are lucky to play for 10 minuets. That’s just how it works on most teams. If your kid doesn’t like it they can work harder and try to get better or move down a level next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP, but I don't understand why the strategy is to bench all 3 of the same "weaker" players at the start of every game! Could someone explain to me the rationale of this?...If not, would one of you who is close to a coach who does this tell them that it wouldn't be THAT hard to disguise the targeting of these players a *little* bit by just rotating in which of the 3 doesn't have to sit out for the first ten minutes of every game. Sub them out, quickly...fine. But don't saddle them with the stigma of being THAT kid every single time by making it obvious you aren't starting them. It's just...really really simple not to do this. Especially at this awkward age where kids pick up quickly on this but don't have the social awareness to keep it to themselves.

Equal playing time is only guaranteed in Rec, that is the rationale.

[Anonymous]

If you aren't happy find a new club. If your kid is not getting playing time on a travel team, move them down a level to an in house league or rec.

[Anonymous]

Or since we are just talking U11, changing clubs isn't wrong too. That's pretty young to have locked players in. I didn't see anything like that for my kids until U13. And you have to play to get better. Otherwise, the gap in ability between the players will continue to widen by sheer experience.

[Anonymous]

If development on travel is until u14, why the playing time and position BS? Don't make it ok at u11 or u13, let alone u9.

If coaches, parents and players really believed in the development model, then rehashing this discussion shouldnt be happening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it normal to have a significant disparity of playing time for young players?

Team roster is typical size. 50% of the players are getting 2x the playing time during games when compared to the other 50%. Some are in for 20-25 minutes per game, while others are in for 45-50 minutes per game. A few players are not getting subbed at all across the entire game, while another few players are in and out 4-5 times a game.

The coach also has the same starting line up for every game--so the same 3 kids are sitting out of the first 10-15 minutes of every single game. None of the kids getting limited play time are missing practice or games and skill wise they are fine (some, but not a lot, of difference between them and the others).

I know for older teams this is probably standard, but is this normal on younger travel teams? It is starting to create some unnecessary confidence issues and wondering if we need to raise with the coach

This was my kid at u9 and u10 on the D team. Never starting. Looking like a fish out of water. He practiced HARD and was really committed to improving. Fast forward to U13, he moved to the B team and is a starter and a leader on the team. Emphasize working hard at the practices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If development on travel is until u14, why the playing time and position BS? Don't make it ok at u11 or u13, let alone u9.

If coaches, parents and players really believed in the development model, then rehashing this discussion shouldnt be happening.

Both models can coexist. The issue is finding a club and coach that shares the same developmental philosophy as you do. But at the end of the day, in travel anything, equal playing time is not guaranteed. If your kid is on the short end of the stick then another team where the player can earn more playing time may be what is needed.

[Anonymous]

NO decent club and NO decent coach would do that in those years. Only once they go full field. The entire point of u9-u12 is development (many/all positions, constant rotation, development over winning/gaining soccer iQ).

—Signed a former coach and D2 college player

[Anonymous]

Sounds like your coach is focused on "Ws" and not development. I would ask him/her directly their playing time policy and force them to state why. U9-U10 they should all get fare playing time, keeping in mind that some kids will just play the whole game. 7v7 the strikers and wingers will generally rotate more given the runs they generally make.

[Anonymous]

I hit enter too quick, most importantly remember you are there for your child so if you don't like the answer push back and worst case leave. We didn't have playing time issues, but our coach thought he was bobby knight so we left.