I've been reading some of the other discussions about playing time with interest. It seems we want to make it a black or white issue when the truth is there's a lot of gray, at least in my experience.
The gist has been that it's too bad kids today don't understand that they have to earn their playing time. Rather than fighting their way into the starting lineup they jump to another team.
Sometimes that's true. But in my experience, there are also many cases where that player is never going to be able to EARN playing time because she's never given the opportunity to do so. No matter how hard she works in practice or how many extra reps she takes, it doesn't matter.
You see this a lot in Daddyball (which around here seems to be migrating to Mommyball, but it's the same basic principle). Daddy decides DD and her friends are the best, and the girls who's from somewhere else doesn't get a second look.
You'll also see it with coaches who are obsessed with their won-lost record. They'll put what they believe to be the best team on the field every single game, even pool play and friendlies. Meantime, that kid who's been fighting to show what she can do isn't given the chance in any meaningful way. As my old pal Ray Minchew says, "How can you build a track record if you're never put on the track?"
So what do you think? Should that kid just keep pushing on and stay on that team where the coaches don't think much of her? Or is she smarter to seek out another situation where the playing field is more level and she at least has a shot at actually earning her playing time? And how do you tell the difference?
Even at U of A, I'd have to say if Coach Candrea doesn't think I can play, I'd rather find another coach who does rather than ride the bench for four years.
The gist has been that it's too bad kids today don't understand that they have to earn their playing time. Rather than fighting their way into the starting lineup they jump to another team.
Sometimes that's true. But in my experience, there are also many cases where that player is never going to be able to EARN playing time because she's never given the opportunity to do so. No matter how hard she works in practice or how many extra reps she takes, it doesn't matter.
You see this a lot in Daddyball (which around here seems to be migrating to Mommyball, but it's the same basic principle). Daddy decides DD and her friends are the best, and the girls who's from somewhere else doesn't get a second look.
You'll also see it with coaches who are obsessed with their won-lost record. They'll put what they believe to be the best team on the field every single game, even pool play and friendlies. Meantime, that kid who's been fighting to show what she can do isn't given the chance in any meaningful way. As my old pal Ray Minchew says, "How can you build a track record if you're never put on the track?"
So what do you think? Should that kid just keep pushing on and stay on that team where the coaches don't think much of her? Or is she smarter to seek out another situation where the playing field is more level and she at least has a shot at actually earning her playing time? And how do you tell the difference?
Even at U of A, I'd have to say if Coach Candrea doesn't think I can play, I'd rather find another coach who does rather than ride the bench for four years.
