Yup. 50% of the game time, not of the total available minutes to play.

If at training mostly or in game, players show progress maybe that changes individually.

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

U9 plays 2 25 min halves. In the scenario above the weaker players are playing almost half the game. This does not seem like an issue to me.
Work hard.
Dont be late.
Go to every game.
Practice first touches. Every. Day.

Anonymous wrote:If it's as lopsided as OP said, obviously that's not right at this age. But sometimes an imbalance in playing time can be better for everyone. For instance, one really strong kid who knows how to get open and can receive passes well playing forward with two other kids who are weaker on passing can help the weaker kids improve their passing by giving them someone they can reliably pass to rather than leaving them stranded because their teammates are buried. Leave the strong player in for more of the game and rotate through the weaker players with him means everyone gets more opportunities to work on passing and setting up attack patterns than if you pull the strong player and have a crew of weaker forwards who struggle to get to where their teammates need them to be.

I agree and maybe that is why OP said a few players don't get subbed out. a couple strong players that can move well and pass and dribble with both feet should make others around them play better. In that case it makes sense to have a difference in play time, for a few players. Are there players like that on every team though? Or is it the biggest strongest ball hog not getting subbed out

If it's as lopsided as OP said, obviously that's not right at this age. But sometimes an imbalance in playing time can be better for everyone. For instance, one really strong kid who knows how to get open and can receive passes well playing forward with two other kids who are weaker on passing can help the weaker kids improve their passing by giving them someone they can reliably pass to rather than leaving them stranded because their teammates are buried. Leave the strong player in for more of the game and rotate through the weaker players with him means everyone gets more opportunities to work on passing and setting up attack patterns than if you pull the strong player and have a crew of weaker forwards who struggle to get to where their teammates need them to be.

I see some Lawn mower parents!

Of course, to the OP, some coaches just want wins. They don't care about development. For example, they like putting a fast, big kid up top who simply outruns the other team.

And no decent developmental club would ever play a kid only 10 minutes a game. Even at the ECNL level, even at U13, the weaker kids play a good 10 minutes each half. And that's when things start shifting and expectations are raised.

Usually if that kid truly remains too far behind the others, they *still* give them that time and give them the fall to catch up. If in the spring, they don't, some clubs will move them to the lower team but continue to allow them to train with the ECNL team during the spring as a chance to re-earn that spot. Others will *continue* to play them to the end of the year and if they still don't catch up, cut them after tryouts.

Again, that is ECNL and 3 years up to give you a comparison.

No decent club plays a U10 only 10 minutes a game. Anyone who thinks that's ok doesn't understand develop. Which is fine. A lot of parents don't and as long as it's not *their* kid, they defend any sort of lunacy.

I hope you find another club for your kid. Some clubs will allow your kid to participate in a practice or 2 to get a feel for how they are and how they fit with the team.

There are some truly good clubs out there. Never feel trapped.

Some clubs that have a good rep are ASA Alexandria. They also have a good futsal program and Barca Academy. Not sure what area you are looking at.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But teaching your kid that at U10, even if they do, they will still never be given equal opportunity on the field teaches them to give up before they have ever been given a chance.

Then go play Rec.

Lol!! All or nothing! How very binary of you! Luckily, I'm not trying to talk it through with you, as people like you are the same ones who think their kids are that speical YNT bound rare talent. You'll realize later.

To the normal people on this board: sure, it's not rec. They are accepting that they have to make the commitment to go to every practice and game. And that the better players will start over themk every time.

But if your 9 year old is only playing 10 minutes, that's inappropriate at this level. As they move through the travel system at older levels, sure, but not here. If that is the club you are in, they aren't a development club. Move them to one that is.

Also, consider additional training outside of the club such as BeastMode and futsal programs to help your child improve issues that may be holding them back, such as first touch and other matters of technique.

If your 9 year old is only playing 10 minutes then the kid may be at the wrong developmental level. Again, it is not rec, it is travel and as such is supposed to be developmental AND competitive.

The coach and club should find a better spot for such a player but forcing minutes isn’t always the answer either.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But teaching your kid that at U10, even if they do, they will still never be given equal opportunity on the field teaches them to give up before they have ever been given a chance.

Then go play Rec.

Lol!! All or nothing! How very binary of you! Luckily, I'm not trying to talk it through with you, as people like you are the same ones who think their kids are that speical YNT bound rare talent. You'll realize later.

To the normal people on this board: sure, it's not rec. They are accepting that they have to make the commitment to go to every practice and game. And that the better players will start over themk every time.

But if your 9 year old is only playing 10 minutes, that's inappropriate at this level. As they move through the travel system at older levels, sure, but not here. If that is the club you are in, they aren't a development club. Move them to one that is.

Also, consider additional training outside of the club such as BeastMode and futsal programs to help your child improve issues that may be holding them back, such as first touch and other matters of technique.

Anonymous wrote:But teaching your kid that at U10, even if they do, they will still never be given equal opportunity on the field teaches them to give up before they have ever been given a chance.

Then go play Rec.

At U10, a coach can give merit by letting the better players start and the others sub. He can also do a 60/40 split instead of a 90/10 split.

There are ways to reward skill without breaking the confidence and passion of the rest of the team.

But teaching your kid that at U10, even if they do, they will still never be given equal opportunity on the field teaches them to give up before they have ever been given a chance.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a coach/team is starting and/or playing certain players more purely due to nepotism or relationships, then this is completely unfair. Recommend moving to another team.

But if the coach is doing it because certain kids have more talent/skills, encourage your kids to practice and train more and harder.

While life is unfair, it typically favors the focused, determined and hard working individuals. Hence, focus on the positive and encourage your son to practice harder & more. He’ll end up being a much better player no matter what team he’s on.

Use this as a “chip on his shoulder” similarly to what Tom Brady does throughout his football career and many other athletes.

I teach this to my daughter.

Not at u10

Teaching your kid not to play or practice hard while demanding equal playing time is how spoiled kids are created.....and the parents sometimes wonder why their kids are so spoiled. LOL

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a coach/team is starting and/or playing certain players more purely due to nepotism or relationships, then this is completely unfair. Recommend moving to another team.

But if the coach is doing it because certain kids have more talent/skills, encourage your kids to practice and train more and harder.

While life is unfair, it typically favors the focused, determined and hard working individuals. Hence, focus on the positive and encourage your son to practice harder & more. He’ll end up being a much better player no matter what team he’s on.

Use this as a “chip on his shoulder” similarly to what Tom Brady does throughout his football career and many other athletes.

I teach this to my daughter.

Not at u10

Huh?? Practice is good at any age.....whether it’s sports, musical instruments and/or school work. Hence, I agree with the previous poster.

Anonymous wrote:If a coach/team is starting and/or playing certain players more purely due to nepotism or relationships, then this is completely unfair. Recommend moving to another team.

But if the coach is doing it because certain kids have more talent/skills, encourage your kids to practice and train more and harder.

While life is unfair, it typically favors the focused, determined and hard working individuals. Hence, focus on the positive and encourage your son to practice harder & more. He’ll end up being a much better player no matter what team he’s on.

Use this as a “chip on his shoulder” similarly to what Tom Brady does throughout his football career and many other athletes.

I teach this to my daughter.

Not at u10