Anonymous wrote:starting at U13 playing time might be more dependent on who can play which positions. If you only have a few really good defenders, they are going to play most of the game.

In an ideal world, you could replace the starting 11 with players #12-18 with no drop-off in team performance level and everyone could play equally. That's not the case though.

This starts at some point during U13 and by U14 for sure there are differences in playing time.

Yes, I would say U13. In U12 we had two players that played the entire game. In U13 we have 5. We have 16 on the roster. Two of the kids only play about 20 minutes a game unless it's a blowout.

starting at U13 playing time might be more dependent on who can play which positions. If you only have a few really good defenders, they are going to play most of the game.

In an ideal world, you could replace the starting 11 with players #12-18 with no drop-off in team performance level and everyone could play equally. That's not the case though.

This starts at some point during U13 and by U14 for sure there are differences in playing time.

The coach should work in players depending on the competition. If you're on a shit team then that is harder to do. If you're on a pretty good team, then he will know who the lesser opponents are and give the bench more play time. Against good teams don't expect to play 50% of the game. If you're playing a cellar dweller, then he may start some of those bench players. This happens from the pros on down. It's just the way it is, but I agree if you pay to play then you should get a certain amount of time on the field normally.

Anonymous wrote:Our DS (U12) plays for a club where playing time is pretty even (except the center backs and goalie). At what age does this stop being the case and the better players start playing most of the game? Dos this differ by club or is there an age where this normally happens?

Don't come to DS's club. Roster is huge and the coach keeps a few players in until they they are struggling to run and hardly subs in a few other players. Several quit mid-season, others leaving in a few weeks. I have two older kids who play soccer and I've never seen anything like it at this age especially the exodus.

Anonymous wrote:If you are paying a club $2-3K, your player should be getting minimum 50% playing time. If your coach is not playing your player, talk to the TD.

If you are being paid to play, it's the clubs choice how much to play your kid.

+1
It is absurd at U14 and under not to get decent playing time even for the top teams. You are paying a fortune.

Big rosters are why we can’t have nice things.

If you are paying a club $2-3K, your player should be getting minimum 50% playing time. If your coach is not playing your player, talk to the TD.

If you are being paid to play, it's the clubs choice how much to play your kid.

Agree. We left our club due to massively unequal time along with lack of position changes. Positions set and starters set by ages 9 and 10. Ridiculous.

Up to about U12 all player should rotate through all positions with equal time. This is regardless of team. Some clubs do this, other do not. It is really bad for development to only have played one position. You can see this at clubs that do not rotate defenders and keep them in for most of the game.

At u13 it starts to be about positional play but you should always work in at another position. Versatility will keep you on the field.

Anonymous wrote:It would be up to the coaches, even if there is a policy in place.

Depends on club. The director of ours explicitly tells parents that if there is an issue they should escalate. Yes even on top team. They are looking towards the future, for players to develop and families as clients. Not a few dumb wins.

If you're on a lower team then as a parent I expect equal playing time BUT

if your on a competitive team (top team for club regardless of league) then no, playing time is not a given. This is further applied if it's a major tournament. My DS for example played 10 minutes on a major tournament 2 years ago it's something we still talk about. It was a tipping point, he knew he either had to get better or drop in level.

Hope this helps

It would be up to the coaches, even if there is a policy in place.

At BSC in their younger age said a few days ago that kids get equal playing time in league games. I think it is the norm at good clubs until around u14, u13, u12. The bad clubs don’t.

A short read for you...

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/841335.page

Our DS (U12) plays for a club where playing time is pretty even (except the center backs and goalie). At what age does this stop being the case and the better players start playing most of the game? Dos this differ by club or is there an age where this normally happens?