“Basketball people” may not use the term “bencher” but kids sure do so being called that by name or whatever else feels like a put-down to my DC and other team mates that show up to practices and play hard in the little time they are given!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whats the difference between a bencher and a second-string player?

A bencher only plays if you need someone to go out there and foul a good player who can't shoot free throws.

“Bencher” is not a word basketball people use. Also, “second string” isn’t a thing. “Second unit”, “bench player” or “reserve” are basketball terms.

Anonymous wrote:Whats the difference between a bencher and a second-string player?

A bencher only plays if you need someone to go out there and foul a good player who can't shoot free throws.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have experience if certain teams leave some of their stronger players off the bench at first so that those subbing are strong?

No. This is not a thing.

Kevin McHale - Celtics.

Vinnie “the microwave” Johnson - Pistons

Other than that, no, not really.

This is sometimes a strategy. Depends upon many variables.

Anonymous wrote:Whats the difference between a bencher and a second-string player?

A bencher plays very little of the game. 2nd string usually gets a lot of minutes.

Whats the difference between a bencher and a second-string player?

Anonymous wrote: Basketball is tough because of everything that’s already been posted. There are only 5 starting players. That’s not many. Find out what is important to your daughter. For mine, she likes starting and playing almost the entire game. It’s why she ultimately stopped AAU and only plays rec. She focuses on other sports in the other seasons and knows she won’t play basketball on the high school team. Only 5-8 will have any real playing time at her high school. She’s content with house for this reason.

My son was a bencher on an elite team and a second string player on a popular NoVA team. He’s a great ball handler and shooting guard but there’s always someone better (real or perception) and other players more consistent or aggressive or confident or favored by coaches. So he left the popular (and winning) teams behind for a newer lesser known team where he is a starter. Sure he has regrets because he follows his 2 former teams winning (while his team loses) but I remind him that we made a decision that play time is more important than popularity. But if he improves with more reps and practices on his own more, his team options will expand next year if meant to be.

Also, although some of the AAU teams are expensive, consider setting aside $$ for good group skills training. It can make a difference in earning more play time by not only improved basic skills but confidence and playing aggressively.

Basketball is tough because of everything that’s already been posted. There are only 5 starting players. That’s not many. Find out what is important to your daughter. For mine, she likes starting and playing almost the entire game. It’s why she ultimately stopped AAU and only plays rec. She focuses on other sports in the other seasons and knows she won’t play basketball on the high school team. Only 5-8 will have any real playing time at her high school. She’s content with house for this reason.

More likely that the parents who know their kids wont play dont feel the need to attend.

Anonymous wrote:Is a kid more likely to get adequate playing time if the parent is there watching? Noticing that benchers often don’t have parents there but we are very new to travel basketball.

This really shouldn’t make a difference. Except that parents who are there might be parents who push their kids harder. There were some pretty knowledgeable, demanding parents my my kid’s AAU team (parents who had played in college).

Is a kid more likely to get adequate playing time if the parent is there watching? Noticing that benchers often don’t have parents there but we are very new to travel basketball.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have experience if certain teams leave some of their stronger players off the bench at first so that those subbing are strong?

No. This is not a thing.

Kevin McHale - Celtics.

Vinnie “the microwave” Johnson - Pistons

Other than that, no, not really.

OP and other PPs — Try to avoid dad (or mom) coaches who will play their kids for 95 percent of the game. Multiply by 2 if assistant coach also a dad. And if they invited any of their friends’ kids onto the team then just forget it and move on to another team. We pulled DS from a popular team last spring because the two coach sons played same positions as DS, plus coaches’ sons friends were undeserving starters who played often.

If this is AAU, all it matters is play time. If your kid is not getting half then leave and find another team. No matter what they people say, you paid the same as everyone else. Only time you have to suck it up is when it’s free or super low cost like HS. Otherwise go find another team to take your money. Use the savings on training. At the end of the day, it’s one coach’s opinion and there’s plenty out there in AAU.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP Here--only two players on our team don't get subbed much unless they request a break. They are part of the starting lineup. The other players get subbed in and out through the game. My DD is on par with these players but claims is better than some of the starters and this is the issue for her. It's souring the experience.

This is indulging a bad attitude. You support the idea that a 13 year old has an objective assessment of basketball skills, when she herself is one of the athletes being measured? No. Her attitude is souring the experience. Whining about playing time or starting is a nonstarter in my house.

+1
You and your child sound ridiculous. I can't believe you are going on and on about this. By this age the best is relative to position. Is she the No. 1 player for a certain position on the team? This is not a question for her or you to determine but something to coach determines. If you don't like his answer you leave the team. Your child sounds whiny and self-absorbed and not a team player. Why are you encouraging this?