Playing time expectations

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Appreciate all the responses. I’m upset about my kid’s lack of playing time because he’s upset. It’s so obvious that it’s demoralizing for him. Moping little kids are kind of pathetic. My spouse is more of the ‘what do the rules say’ so I’m curious on both fronts.

In this case, I’m well aware he’s in the bottom quarter of the team in performance, but I think playing 50% of a game where there’s only 8 kids in attendance seems low. I also don’t love that he never starts and kids who are late to warmups (ie show up at game time) start before him. And he’s on the bench for such long stretches (15+ minutes) that it seems like it would be hard to perform well after that.

We know he’s not that great of a player, but he seems to love it and I do think he can improve if he’s not run out of the sport.

You are correct. Find another club. The worst part is the fact that the coach doesn't enforce attendance. He's rewarding bad habits that will ruin all his players, good and bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Appreciate all the responses. I’m upset about my kid’s lack of playing time because he’s upset. It’s so obvious that it’s demoralizing for him. Moping little kids are kind of pathetic. My spouse is more of the ‘what do the rules say’ so I’m curious on both fronts.

In this case, I’m well aware he’s in the bottom quarter of the team in performance, but I think playing 50% of a game where there’s only 8 kids in attendance seems low. I also don’t love that he never starts and kids who are late to warmups (ie show up at game time) start before him. And he’s on the bench for such long stretches (15+ minutes) that it seems like it would be hard to perform well after that.

We know he’s not that great of a player, but he seems to love it and I do think he can improve if he’s not run out of the sport.

His "level of play" at U10 means nothing about his future. His level of passion for the game means everything. Don't let him get written off because of where he is now. If your kid isn't happy you need to have a talk with him and try to figure it out. If he thinks he has a path to earn more playing time maybe you can stay and try for that. Otherwise find him something better. You don't want to teach him to cut and run any time things get tough, but you also should not have to accept that he is unhappy. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy where the coach at U10 doesn't appreciate the kid so he learns to not appreciate himself and is out of the game before too long. Our insane obsession with winning at those young ages is a big part of why the dropout rate is sooo high. Coach has his own priorities and the kids are not top of the list, you have to be the one looking out for him.

[Anonymous]

letting a kid who is late to the game start ahead of a kid who was on time is a really bad sign all around--time to go

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Appreciate all the responses. I’m upset about my kid’s lack of playing time because he’s upset. It’s so obvious that it’s demoralizing for him. Moping little kids are kind of pathetic. My spouse is more of the ‘what do the rules say’ so I’m curious on both fronts.

In this case, I’m well aware he’s in the bottom quarter of the team in performance, but I think playing 50% of a game where there’s only 8 kids in attendance seems low. I also don’t love that he never starts and kids who are late to warmups (ie show up at game time) start before him. And he’s on the bench for such long stretches (15+ minutes) that it seems like it would be hard to perform well after that.

We know he’s not that great of a player, but he seems to love it and I do think he can improve if he’s not run out of the sport.

While U10 is more about development than winning, winning is still a thing.

The reality is that travel playing time at all levels is earned and not "expected". Some coaches may differ on what "earned means". For some coaches playing time is earned in practice and others it is earned game by game. Some coaches will play the first half evenly in minutes but the second half is earned based on first half performance.

It sounds like you know that your kid is near the bottom of the roster talent wise. Well, stop moping about a game minutes and start focusing in practice and getting in work away from practice. You are simply finding out that simply showing up isn't enough. Talk to the coach about what improvements need to be made to get more playing time. There are likely a few easily achieved things with some extra work.

All that said, it really doesn't matter what we all think the expectations should be, what matters is what your kids coach's expectations are and whether or not your kid can meet those expectations. Find out and work for them. This isn't rec and there are no rules that you can use to get your kid on the field if the coach doesn't think your kid is CURRENTLY good enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Appreciate all the responses. I’m upset about my kid’s lack of playing time because he’s upset. It’s so obvious that it’s demoralizing for him. Moping little kids are kind of pathetic. My spouse is more of the ‘what do the rules say’ so I’m curious on both fronts.

In this case, I’m well aware he’s in the bottom quarter of the team in performance, but I think playing 50% of a game where there’s only 8 kids in attendance seems low. I also don’t love that he never starts and kids who are late to warmups (ie show up at game time) start before him. And he’s on the bench for such long stretches (15+ minutes) that it seems like it would be hard to perform well after that.

We know he’s not that great of a player, but he seems to love it and I do think he can improve if he’s not run out of the sport.

Lucky for you, there are options. Find another one. Also, with winter coming up, consider Futsal. It's very helpful at the younger ages to get in more touches and teach some good small sided tactics. I wouldn't misuse Futsal. It's still a weighted ball and not soccer, but it is a good tool at the younger ages.

[Anonymous]

Playing defenders and central mid the entire game....idk, what happens when the defenders and center mid allow goals in on a consistent basis, offense can't score, and you can't win a game? Do you stick with your lineup?

You can certainly change it up, but in my experience, putting in a different kid who is weaker at the position is unlikely to change the tide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the club and the team profile. If it's a large club, yes, I totally agree. Play whomever you want as much as you want. There's a bus of people wanting to be on Arlington or Loudoun Red.

Anyone else...50% minimum from U9-U13 for a couple of reasons. One, risk losing players. Even the 50% or 100% players are at risk for leaving to better teams, ENCL, DA. Two, if US soccer recommends this approach, all clubs should do the same in all regular and tournament games. Aside from needing the numbers, if one kid comes off the field feeling like they didn't have a chance to contribute to a win (or loss), the club has done something wrong. Period. That's not what I call a team and as adults, let's not lose perspective on youth sports.

Playing defenders and central mid the entire game....idk, what happens when the defenders and center mid allow goals in on a consistent basis, offense can't score, and you can't win a game? Do you stick with your lineup?

Anything less than 50% play time, run.

Not PP and the issue sounds specific, but I'd people here to comment how offense can score if the defenders and center mid allows goals in on a consistent basis. it relates to playing time since it sounds like those defensive and mid players who are getting playing team really could use a "rest".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Appreciate all the responses. I’m upset about my kid’s lack of playing time because he’s upset. It’s so obvious that it’s demoralizing for him. Moping little kids are kind of pathetic. My spouse is more of the ‘what do the rules say’ so I’m curious on both fronts.

In this case, I’m well aware he’s in the bottom quarter of the team in performance, but I think playing 50% of a game where there’s only 8 kids in attendance seems low. I also don’t love that he never starts and kids who are late to warmups (ie show up at game time) start before him. And he’s on the bench for such long stretches (15+ minutes) that it seems like it would be hard to perform well after that.

We know he’s not that great of a player, but he seems to love it and I do think he can improve if he’s not run out of the sport.

While U10 is more about development than winning, winning is still a thing.

The reality is that travel playing time at all levels is earned and not "expected". Some coaches may differ on what "earned means". For some coaches playing time is earned in practice and others it is earned game by game. Some coaches will play the first half evenly in minutes but the second half is earned based on first half performance.

It sounds like you know that your kid is near the bottom of the roster talent wise. Well, stop moping about a game minutes and start focusing in practice and getting in work away from practice. You are simply finding out that simply showing up isn't enough. Talk to the coach about what improvements need to be made to get more playing time. There are likely a few easily achieved things with some extra work.

All that said, it really doesn't matter what we all think the expectations should be, what matters is what your kids coach's expectations are and whether or not your kid can meet those expectations. Find out and work for them. This isn't rec and there are no rules that you can use to get your kid on the field if the coach doesn't think your kid is CURRENTLY good enough.

Well said.

It is also about what the kid wants, he may only complains on the playing time but not trying harder himself. Most kids do not care at this age, my kid was happy sitting on bench when he was U10 because he does not want try hard, he told
excuse to coach before the game that he was hurt.. but that was not true.
To help him, we signed him for additional training with even better kids, we bought equipment at home for him to play.. lucky us, it pays off when U11 he took off and became a top tire play for his team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On the 2nd or 3rd, it should be close to equal time. Those team do not matter at all. I have seen clubs strip a 2nd team before a tournament so that the top team has 5 subs for an easy league game.

Only the performance of the top team matters, right? So many parents just fall in line of doing what’s best for the club without realizing they’re not doing anything for your kid - i.e. ride the bench in an easy win vs actually play and contribute in a tournament.

Yes that is the way it is. Clubs really only care about wins(and the top few players) on their first team. If you do not know that you are pretty clueless. No one talks/cares about a clubs second team record. Example- last weekend at Arlington, the u12 girls coach skipped the second team’s tournament game for the first team’s scrimmage. LOL yes your kids on the second team are real important to the club!

So yep a second team at u10, all the players should get equal time and rotating through position. Should happen on the first team till u12 but clubs and parents want to win.

You only bothered to read (or at least comprehend) the portion of my post that you bolded. I know that's what clubs think, but parents shouldn't fall for that BS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Appreciate all the responses. I’m upset about my kid’s lack of playing time because he’s upset. It’s so obvious that it’s demoralizing for him. Moping little kids are kind of pathetic. My spouse is more of the ‘what do the rules say’ so I’m curious on both fronts.

In this case, I’m well aware he’s in the bottom quarter of the team in performance, but I think playing 50% of a game where there’s only 8 kids in attendance seems low. I also don’t love that he never starts and kids who are late to warmups (ie show up at game time) start before him. And he’s on the bench for such long stretches (15+ minutes) that it seems like it would be hard to perform well after that.

We know he’s not that great of a player, but he seems to love it and I do think he can improve if he’s not run out of the sport.

While U10 is more about development than winning, winning is still a thing.

The reality is that travel playing time at all levels is earned and not "expected". Some coaches may differ on what "earned means". For some coaches playing time is earned in practice and others it is earned game by game. Some coaches will play the first half evenly in minutes but the second half is earned based on first half performance.

It sounds like you know that your kid is near the bottom of the roster talent wise. Well, stop moping about a game minutes and start focusing in practice and getting in work away from practice. You are simply finding out that simply showing up isn't enough. Talk to the coach about what improvements need to be made to get more playing time. There are likely a few easily achieved things with some extra work.

All that said, it really doesn't matter what we all think the expectations should be, what matters is what your kids coach's expectations are and whether or not your kid can meet those expectations. Find out and work for them. This isn't rec and there are no rules that you can use to get your kid on the field if the coach doesn't think your kid is CURRENTLY good enough.

Totally agree with this.

While I understanding your feeling, giving him a few more minutes into the game does not make him better. Extra training should be the main focus if your goal is development.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Playing defenders and central mid the entire game....idk, what happens when the defenders and center mid allow goals in on a consistent basis, offense can't score, and you can't win a game? Do you stick with your lineup?

You can certainly change it up, but in my experience, putting in a different kid who is weaker at the position is unlikely to change the tide.

Change the tide of what? THAT game in immediate short term? or the long term tide of a team's dynamic over many games and season?

Couple potential reasons why that center mid doesn't get changed.

* center mid can't play any other position
* "different" kid is weaker in that spot because no one else gets a significant chance at center mid
* "different" kid is better center mid, but coach can't take the potential fall out

Better to not be exposed, right?

[Anonymous]

The post about passion level of kids was good.

As to the rest players should be playing ALL positions to develop as a player. Anything else is developing an ego rather than a player or a team. This is true up til at least U14 as kids must develop through puberty and growth. uSSF guidelines and Ajax and the Masia all adopt this approach. Winning overrides development in the US. And a lot of even knowledgeable parents don’t know what they think they know. All the board talk about which club is ‘better’ is really poorly focused to stroke parent egos.

You want your kid to get better. Only care about the club as a means to an end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The post about passion level of kids was good.

As to the rest players should be playing ALL positions to develop as a player. Anything else is developing an ego rather than a player or a team. This is true up til at least U14 as kids must develop through puberty and growth. uSSF guidelines and Ajax and the Masia all adopt this approach. Winning overrides development in the US. And a lot of even knowledgeable parents don’t know what they think they know. All the board talk about which club is ‘better’ is really poorly focused to stroke parent egos.

You want your kid to get better. Only care about the club as a means to an end.

This.

Pele was also the GK for Santos
Messi was a mid, enganche, left wing, right wing and now a false 9 to a free roamed
Ronaldo was a mid and now a left wing and striker

Perfect both feet. Train all positions.
This is how your player will advance

Otherwise your player will be pushed aside as a 1 position player when they get beat out
And that days comes for everyone.

[Anonymous]

I like the way Belgium does it.

They divide youth games into 4 quarters. No subbing allowed during the quarters (except for injury), but at every break, EVERY kid on the bench must come into the game. This ensures that everyone plays at least 50% of every game, but there is still competition for playing time because the better players can still play 3/4 or possibly even the whole game.

Another benefit would be the coaches wouldn't have to spend half the time looking at their watches and trying to focus on making substitutions, so they can focus more on actually coaching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like the way Belgium does it.

They divide youth games into 4 quarters. No subbing allowed during the quarters (except for injury), but at every break, EVERY kid on the bench must come into the game. This ensures that everyone plays at least 50% of every game, but there is still competition for playing time because the better players can still play 3/4 or possibly even the whole game.

Another benefit would be the coaches wouldn't have to spend half the time looking at their watches and trying to focus on making substitutions, so they can focus more on actually coaching.

They also do a few other things in Belgium. They don't keep stats on wins and losses before U14 - the idea is for coaches to focus on the development of all players, not on team development. They also allow, if appropriate, smaller kids to play down an age group.

If you look at players that smaller nations like Belgium have produced or look at a very small country like Iceland that has made great strides in the soccer world in a short period of time, emphasis on fun , quality coaching, and training the players you have (not constantly looking for other players from other clubs) at younger ages are common themes. In lceland, all young players are treated the same - they get the same coaching and training on quality fields. The focus for young players should not be on identifying and grouping talent and building super teams. Focus on training the players, not on winning games.