Benching players

[Anonymous]

I find that literally right now is the hardest part of the season. Teams have had a few months of practice but now also a few tournaments, too. You maybe had a slight sense of how things were going based on practices, but now you can see your coach's planned rotation(s). The next few months can feel like ... a lot ... as you watch other people's kids play and your kid pay to 1) train with them and 2) cheer them on. Parent claws start coming out and by April, things will reach fever pitch if not a breaking point.

Buckle up and strap in!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should play at least half a rotation for one set per game. Ideally, you should also get at least one rotation per set.

This is a lot to ask for at the highest levels of competition.

Highest levels of competition?
That's like 4-5 teams in the area.

If they aren't one of those teams, then why are they even on the team if they can't even hang for half a rotation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should play at least half a rotation for one set per game. Ideally, you should also get at least one rotation per set.

That's a low bar, but some clubs would claim that you played 100%.

I think they might mean everybody plays in every set

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish I had read this thread before accepting Club P’s offer last October. It’s just February, and I’m paying $1,000+ per month while my DD has been benched in most tournaments so far. Part of me wants to encourage my DD to leave the club to save the time and money spent on tournaments, but I know the decision has to be hers. She’s okay with things so far and is hoping for more playing time over the next three months, though I’m not sure that will actually happen. I’m not sure why the club offered my DD a spot if they don’t seem interested in developing her as a player. We feel like we’re just paying fees to support the coaches’ stipends and help cover costs for other players. Part of me wishes my DD would say she wants to stop for the rest of the season. Then at least I wouldn’t have to go to tournaments just to see her on the sidelines, make sure she’s okay, and pretend that I’m handling it all emotionally. Next year, I’ll be sure to check that the roster isn’t larger than 12, that coaches are assigned ahead of time, and that I know who they are. Playing time is very important for players’ confidence and team spirit. Even on a winning team, if some players don’t get meaningful playing time, it can impact everyone—both the benched players and their teammates—because the disappointment and frustration affect team morale. Here’s hoping I survive the next four months without hating this club and its coaches too much .

I think I know what club you are talking about. The club practices like you play, but plays to win at tournaments and will put forth their best players. I have been to the past two tournaments and seen half of the team on the sidelines. It's great to win medals, but not great if your DD is not playing. It's a very long weekend just to clap and cheer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish I had read this thread before accepting Club P’s offer last October. It’s just February, and I’m paying $1,000+ per month while my DD has been benched in most tournaments so far. Part of me wants to encourage my DD to leave the club to save the time and money spent on tournaments, but I know the decision has to be hers. She’s okay with things so far and is hoping for more playing time over the next three months, though I’m not sure that will actually happen. I’m not sure why the club offered my DD a spot if they don’t seem interested in developing her as a player. We feel like we’re just paying fees to support the coaches’ stipends and help cover costs for other players. Part of me wishes my DD would say she wants to stop for the rest of the season. Then at least I wouldn’t have to go to tournaments just to see her on the sidelines, make sure she’s okay, and pretend that I’m handling it all emotionally. Next year, I’ll be sure to check that the roster isn’t larger than 12, that coaches are assigned ahead of time, and that I know who they are. Playing time is very important for players’ confidence and team spirit. Even on a winning team, if some players don’t get meaningful playing time, it can impact everyone—both the benched players and their teammates—because the disappointment and frustration affect team morale. Here’s hoping I survive the next four months without hating this club and its coaches too much .

I think I know what club you are talking about. The club practices like you play, but plays to win at tournaments and will put forth their best players. I have been to the past two tournaments and seen half of the team on the sidelines. It's great to win medals, but not great if your DD is not playing. It's a very long weekend just to clap and cheer.

My DD is also at this club, and they made it clear at the club orientation meeting that they play to win at all levels, and playing time is not a guarantee. I’m sorry if it is not meeting your expectations. I could see how it would be frustrating to cheer for other players.

What level your daughter is playing? On our team there is a consistent rotation the coaches favor, but I believe everyone has seen action in every match so far.

[Anonymous]

My daughter is playing her 1st year of club (non-travel) and has been benched at both tournaments her team attended so far this year. She doesn't know why and we've had zero communication with the coach. How/when should we raise this as an issue?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is playing her 1st year of club (non-travel) and has been benched at both tournaments her team attended so far this year. She doesn't know why and we've had zero communication with the coach. How/when should we raise this as an issue?

Before you talk to the coach, you should check the club policies. They might be on the website or you may have been received a contract when you signed up for the season. They should explain the court time policies. Non-travel teams are typically developmental and they should not tie play time by how well a player is playing. The best time to talk to the coach is after you notice that she doesn't play. She should approach the coach and ask for the reason why she is not offered court time. If your player is out of her league, she should not be a starter, but she should still see the court. If the answer does not satisfy you, please post the name of the club here as a warning to others to avoid that club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is playing her 1st year of club (non-travel) and has been benched at both tournaments her team attended so far this year. She doesn't know why and we've had zero communication with the coach. How/when should we raise this as an issue?

What?

This is absurd.

Your DD asks the coach at the next practice.

Then you leave.

[Anonymous]

The financial agreement was signed/completed through a 3rd party online site. I don’t recall any info about playing time, nor is it showing on the online confirmation.

[Anonymous]

Playing time isn’t guaranteed. No chance your contract speaks to that.

Has your daughter asked her coach for feedback? “What can I work on to show you I’m ready to play?”

Mom and Dad shouldn’t be involved. Players talk to coaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The financial agreement was signed/completed through a 3rd party online site. I don’t recall any info about playing time, nor is it showing on the online confirmation.

What level is DD? What club are you at?

[Anonymous]

A lot of clubs require you to wait 24 or 48 hours before talking to the coach about playing time after a tournament. So don't ask at the tournament; ask at the next practice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is playing her 1st year of club (non-travel) and has been benched at both tournaments her team attended so far this year. She doesn't know why and we've had zero communication with the coach. How/when should we raise this as an issue?

It is hard to provide meaningful advice with so little information. Knowing that this is your first year of club, your DD could be anywhere between U10 and U15. It is likely that you would receive very different advice / feedback for the two ends in that range of ages. One reason why some coaches reduce play time is for missing practice. We simply don't know whether that's your case - was your DD present at the practices?

Asking your player to have an honest conversation with the coach is always an option. She could say: "Coach, I noticed that you didn't send me on the court at those two tournaments - is there any specific reason? I don't feel like I am part of the team if all I do is stand there and cheer for the other players. Is there anything I can do to get some tournament experience?" She could also ask about the club policies regarding play time. She could say that her family wanted to give her the chance to experience club volleyball and nobody expected that she would be benched at tournaments.

The longer you wait to have that conversation, the longer your DD will spend on the bench. Even if your DD won't get court time, at least you will know why (and learn the club policies on court time). Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Playing time isn’t guaranteed. No chance your contract speaks to that.

Has your daughter asked her coach for feedback? “What can I work on to show you I’m ready to play?”

Mom and Dad shouldn’t be involved. Players talk to coaches.

This. But how old is she? If this is U12 or 14 and not travel, there should be some playing time for everyone. After that, nothing will be guaranteed for any team, at any level. It’s hard but it is what it is. Your daughter needs to talk to the coach, even at U13, and ask how she can improve to earn playing time.

And then make sure you don’t play for that coach next year if you don’t like how things are run.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Playing time isn’t guaranteed. No chance your contract speaks to that.

Has your daughter asked her coach for feedback? “What can I work on to show you I’m ready to play?”

Mom and Dad shouldn’t be involved. Players talk to coaches.

Stop with this non-sense. This might be true for a competitive / travel team. You know exactly what you are getting into when you decide to be #15 on the Metro Travel roster. The OP clearly stated that this is not their case, plus this is their first year of club volleyball. All players should see the court on developmental teams. It is not fair for families to pay club fees to have their kid ride the bench as part of non-competitive teams. The club director or the coach should have had a discussion with the player and their family, explaining what to expect before signing the contract. If the club director / coach didn't have such discussion, they have the responsibility to offer court time to that player. During tryouts, it is their responsibility to place on the roster only players who can see the court. Stop blaming the the players and their families for not being able to foresee the level of the other players on the roster.