Lineup established at the beginning of the season

[Anonymous]

This is U11.
-OP

[Anonymous]

As a coach I can tell you I want the best players on the field as much as possible if I'm trying to be the most competitive. Obviously this needs to be balanced with player development especially at the younger ages where players mostly get equal time. I can't imagine being so rigid that I don't change my lineups based on performance in matches and in training.

I don't see what you gain by it either. Sounds like a good way to alienate players and push away any new prospects via word of mouth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this common for lineups to be established and unchanged the entire season? My kid has been benched first every single game the entire season, even though he has improved a lot and other players have consistently missed practice throughout the season, those kids are still always on the starting lineup. I’ve been told by other parents that once the lineup has been established at the beginning of the season, it usually doesn’t change. This seems really dumb and also unfair considering some kids talent starts falling away and other kids start to improve and really show what they’re made of. This is the A team in the age group.
Thoughts?

Yes - a good first step would be to have your kid ask the coach - what do I need to improve so I can play more? Then follow up with asking how.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this common for lineups to be established and unchanged the entire season? My kid has been benched first every single game the entire season, even though he has improved a lot and other players have consistently missed practice throughout the season, those kids are still always on the starting lineup. I’ve been told by other parents that once the lineup has been established at the beginning of the season, it usually doesn’t change. This seems really dumb and also unfair considering some kids talent starts falling away and other kids start to improve and really show what they’re made of. This is the A team in the age group.
Thoughts?

Yes - a good first step would be to have your kid ask the coach - what do I need to improve so I can play more? Then follow up with asking how.

So a coach would prefer a 10-year-old asking him that directly, rather than the parent asking on his behalf? Genuinely want to know what is better etiquette. Perhaps the coach who previously responded could answer?
-OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this common for lineups to be established and unchanged the entire season? My kid has been benched first every single game the entire season, even though he has improved a lot and other players have consistently missed practice throughout the season, those kids are still always on the starting lineup. I’ve been told by other parents that once the lineup has been established at the beginning of the season, it usually doesn’t change. This seems really dumb and also unfair considering some kids talent starts falling away and other kids start to improve and really show what they’re made of. This is the A team in the age group.
Thoughts?

Yes - a good first step would be to have your kid ask the coach - what do I need to improve so I can play more? Then follow up with asking how.

So a coach would prefer a 10-year-old asking him that directly, rather than the parent asking on his behalf? Genuinely want to know what is better etiquette. Perhaps the coach who previously responded could answer?
-OP

No the coach NEEDS to defend their stupid lineup decision to the parents directly at that age. Any coach that would have a rigid lineup like that sucks.

[Anonymous]

It's trash for u11 and you should talk to the coach first then the director and then leave if no action. It could be you are on the wrong team but they should find a place you get minimum 50% game time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's trash for u11 and you should talk to the coach first then the director and then leave if no action. It could be you are on the wrong team but they should find a place you get minimum 50% game time.

OP made it sound like their kid isn’t getting as much playing time as they think their kid should get, not that they aren’t playing. Isn’t there a rule about minimum playing time at this age? Maybe check what the club’s or league’s rule is? If it’s not being met I think OP has a case to bring this up with the coach and/or club.

If the minimum (or 50%, since that is reasonable) is being met, I would recommend the kid talk to the coach first. Yes 10 is young but I also have a U11 and have noticed the coach is expecting the kids to start taking more ownership over things. Maybe the parent can facilitate a conversation between the coach and the kid but it seems like a parent emailing to complain about playing time could just get dismissed as a whiny unrealistic parent even if that’s not fair. Whereas a kid asking a coach for feedback on what they specifically can work on/how they can earn more playing time could lead to the coach having a more favorable opinion of the kid and the effort they’re willing to put in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's trash for u11 and you should talk to the coach first then the director and then leave if no action. It could be you are on the wrong team but they should find a place you get minimum 50% game time.

OP made it sound like their kid isn’t getting as much playing time as they think their kid should get, not that they aren’t playing. Isn’t there a rule about minimum playing time at this age? Maybe check what the club’s or league’s rule is? If it’s not being met I think OP has a case to bring this up with the coach and/or club.

If the minimum (or 50%, since that is reasonable) is being met, I would recommend the kid talk to the coach first. Yes 10 is young but I also have a U11 and have noticed the coach is expecting the kids to start taking more ownership over things. Maybe the parent can facilitate a conversation between the coach and the kid but it seems like a parent emailing to complain about playing time could just get dismissed as a whiny unrealistic parent even if that’s not fair. Whereas a kid asking a coach for feedback on what they specifically can work on/how they can earn more playing time could lead to the coach having a more favorable opinion of the kid and the effort they’re willing to put in.

In travel there is no minimum playing time requirements. Although there should be. Our coach likes to play 2 kids the entire game and 2 or 3 significantly more than the others. So with 14 on a roster for 9 v 9 several kids get less than 50%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this common for lineups to be established and unchanged the entire season? My kid has been benched first every single game the entire season, even though he has improved a lot and other players have consistently missed practice throughout the season, those kids are still always on the starting lineup. I’ve been told by other parents that once the lineup has been established at the beginning of the season, it usually doesn’t change. This seems really dumb and also unfair considering some kids talent starts falling away and other kids start to improve and really show what they’re made of. This is the A team in the age group.
Thoughts?

Hello- coach here. It depends on the age group. U12 and younger I will rotate and give players as much playing time as possible in as many different positions. I don’t sit there with a ledger and count minutes but I do the best I can.

U15 and higher it depends upon form, injuries, what the opponents weaknesses are and what strengths we have to exploit those weaknesses.

U13 and U14- it depends on what the circumstances are. Players are still developing so you want to give kids as much playing time as possible. But this is a transition phase for players and the stakes do start to become more raised particularly in the girls game. If players aren’t starting I will take time with each player and articulate what they can do to improve their game. Again, we want the players to grow from this experience and continue to do better. I am not a fan of coaches not providing feedback because I understand parents and players are putting a ton of money and effort into this and they want to do better. So I try and give them feedback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this common for lineups to be established and unchanged the entire season? My kid has been benched first every single game the entire season, even though he has improved a lot and other players have consistently missed practice throughout the season, those kids are still always on the starting lineup. I’ve been told by other parents that once the lineup has been established at the beginning of the season, it usually doesn’t change. This seems really dumb and also unfair considering some kids talent starts falling away and other kids start to improve and really show what they’re made of. This is the A team in the age group.
Thoughts?

Normal for this area? Yes. However, that's a bad coach and I'd start looking at other clubs if they will be coaching the team again next year. It's lazy coaching and a waste of money for everyone but their favorite players.

If you're extremely unhappy email the coach and cc the boy's travel director so it's on record. A lot of clubs don't condone this kind of coaching but if no one says anything the club has no idea it's happening.

[Anonymous]

This is not common for my daughter’s team. The lineup and some positions have changed as the season has gone on. Also playing time has changed

[Anonymous]

OP- are you upset with overall playing time or just that they are not starting? Our coach always keeps a cpl very strong players off the field for the first few minutes. It allows them to read the game and then he can place them exactly where they are needed to make the most impact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. This is normal sorry to say.

yup baring injury or him showing up in a way that outshines his peers i practice… he probably wont sniff the field.

Go to practices and watch visibly from the sidelines. And be honest w urself and ur kid on whether or not he is outplaying his peers.

Document… approach coach and get ready to leave when/if it doesn’t go ur way

Have him start to practice w another team if his choosing that chooses him also. Just know word will travel …..so be ready

I go to every practice and watch closely. My kid is better than at least 3 of the starters. One has been injured most of the season and missed most practices but still shows for games, one makes tons of mistakes, and one refuses to pass. My kid is not injured, rarely makes wrong decisions, and is a team player/always passing the ball.
If it’s better for the team to be successful, why can’t the lineup be changed? This honestly makes no sense to me.
-OP

It's not whether your kid is better than 3 starters. I'm sure he is. It is whether your kid is better than the kids who plays his position. For example the #10 and the back up #10 are mostly 2 of top 11 kids on team but they both can't start at the #10.
Maybe your kid can try playing another position and our work other players. Otherwise just keep hugging, if he is getting playing time... it will all work itself out. Have him use it as motivation and prove people wrong.

[Anonymous]

To clarify, he HAS gotten 50% playing time the majority of games (several games he has gotten less). But he always starts on the bench. I think psychologically it’s messing with him. He works just as hard as the others, attends all practices, plays multiple positions well, he is a good teammate (not ball hog), and he loves the game. My biggest fear is this will demoralize him and change how he feels about playing. Especially since he’s only 10.

Thanks for the feedback. I’m glad so many people agree that the unchanging lineup is inappropriate at this age. We will make a plan to provide feedback to the coach and have a contingency plan if he doesn’t take it well.

-OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To clarify, he HAS gotten 50% playing time the majority of games (several games he has gotten less). But he always starts on the bench. I think psychologically it’s messing with him. He works just as hard as the others, attends all practices, plays multiple positions well, he is a good teammate (not ball hog), and he loves the game. My biggest fear is this will demoralize him and change how he feels about playing. Especially since he’s only 10.

Thanks for the feedback. I’m glad so many people agree that the unchanging lineup is inappropriate at this age. We will make a plan to provide feedback to the coach and have a contingency plan if he doesn’t take it well.

-OP

Klopp was playing Endo over Gravenberch. Slott came in recognized the better player. Your son is young. As long as he is playing 50% he should stick it out but just go home and juggle 10 minutes per day... every day rain or shine. In 2 months he will be head and shoulders above every other player. Now he has to do this. If he does I 100% guarantee he will succeed and it will be in 60 days or less.
-HS undefeated National Champion
-NCAA college undefeated National Champion
-Boys soccer Coach for 20 years.