TeamSnap Logo
Log inFind My Team
  • Solutions
    • For Business
      For Business

      Tools for clubs, leagues, tournament organizers, and associations to run their business

      For Teams
      For Teams

      For coaches, players & fans to stay connected on our top-rated mobile app

      Promo image
      • Overview
      • Program ManagementManage all aspects of your organization
      • SponsorshipAccess our network of opportunities
      • RegistrationPayments, dues, and more
      • TournamentsBuild and manage your events
      • PaymentsA better way to manage payments
      • Website BuilderProfessional & mobile friendly sites
      • SchedulingAutomate games & practices
      • Services & SupportIndustry-leading account support
      • MessagesSimple, reliable communication
      • Get started!Chat with our team right now
  • Pricing
  • Resources
    • Community

      Our mission is to enhance the lives of kids by enabling participation in sport

        Other resources
        • Blog
        • Coaches’ Corner
        • For Business Resources
        • TeamSnap Updates
        • Help Center
        Company
        • About
        • Careers
        • Partners
    • For Brands
      • Build relationships in the moments that matter.

        Convert families into superfans with TeamSnap for brands.

          • OverviewThe #1 way to reach the Chief Household Officer
          • AudienceLearn about our audience and network
          • CapabilitiesExplore our products and measurement solutions
          • Download Media Kit

      Find My Team

      Sign upLog in
      Sign upLog in
      BlogCoaching
      • General Sports
      • Health and Safety
      • Coaching
      • for Business
      • Announcements

      Jan 25, 2017 • 4 min read

      How You Can Help Your Young Athlete Fight the Playing Time Battle

      /images/teamsnap-badge.png
      Janis B. Meredith

      Posted in:
      • Coaching
      • General Sports
      • Sports Parents

      There reaches a point in youth sports when equal playing time is no longer assumed. Once kids reach the age where playing time is not automatic, the fight will ensue in every sport, every season, on every team.

      Talent does not guarantee playing time, and vice versa; if your young athlete feels like he or she is less skilled than fellow teammates, sitting on the bench all season is still not a foregone conclusion.

      Has your child faced a playing time challenge yet? If so, here’s some ways that you can help them fight:

      Little Things Count

      rp_Volleyball-Action-Spike-.jpgThere is not just one thing your young athlete can do to make progress in this fight. There are many things he or she can do. The little things will add up to be a big thing. If your young athlete starts doing the little things consistently, don’t be surprised if someday, the coach looks at your young athlete and thinks, “I really want that kid on the court or field.”

      Your young athlete may think the little things are insignificant, but they aren’t. The coach is watching, even if your young athlete feels invisible.

      Coachability is Noticed

      Coaches love kids who listen and follow instructions. If your young athlete is serious about improving and getting more time, he or she must be willing to do what the coach asks and even go the extra mile by staying after practice to work on weak areas.

      I’ve seen my daughter stay after volleyball practice as the coach suggested so he could hit balls to her. I’ve seen my son stay after football practice and throw extra passes, and I’ve seen my softball daughter spend extra time in the batting cages. Each one was fighting the playing time battle by doing what their coach asked of them and looking for ways to improve on their own time.

      Leadership is Appreciated

      Often when your young athlete is neck-and-neck with a teammate, one thing that could give the edge is leadership. Not bossiness, mind you, but a willingness to speak up by helping and encouraging, as well as leading by example. We always told our kids to be someone that the coach did not want to take off the field or court. Someone who made a difference when they were playing. Often that difference was in their leadership.

      Team Players are Valuable

      rp_iStock_000011846735XSmall.jpgCoaches don’t like to hear kids complain about their playing time. But more than that, they love kids who are willing to do what is best for the team, whether it’s passing the ball to a better shooter or giving their position to a better player and playing another spot.

      Consistency is Rewarded

      Coaches look for athletes that they can depend on to do their job. Help your young athlete see that he or she doesn’t need to be the hero, the home-run hitter, the star. The best young athletes play their position and do their job to the best of their ability every time.

      Sometimes the playing time battle is not fair, even if your young athlete is doing all the right things. Unfortunately, politics sometimes muddies the picture. But your young athlete will know that she has given it her best shot. Hopefully that dedication will reward her with the game time she’s worked for.

      Janis B. Meredith, sports mom and coach’s wife, writes a sports parenting blog called jbmthinks.com. Her new book, 11 Habits for Happy and Positive Sports Parents, is on Amazon.


      Download our app

      app-storegoogle-play

      Share this post


      Create Your Team Today!

      It’s Free and Free is Good!

      Sign Up Your Team!Free and Paid Plans Available
      Products
      Sports Organizations
      • Get a demo
      • Features
      • Pricing
      • Tournaments
      • FAQs
      Coaches or Team Managers
      • Features
      • Pricing
      • Tournaments
      • Get Started
      Parents or Athletes
      • Features
      • Pricing
      • Find My Team
      • Get Started
      Sports
      Sports Organizations
      • Baseball
      • Basketball
      • Football
      • Ice Hockey
      • Lacrosse
      • Soccer
      • Softball
      • Volleyball
      Teams
      • Baseball
      • Basketball
      • Football
      • Ice Hockey
      • Soccer
      • Softball
      • +100s more
      Resources
      • Blog
      • Coaches’ Corner
      • Return To Play
      • For Business Resource Library
      • Skills & Drills
      • Press Releases
      • TeamSnap Updates
      • TeamSnap Help Center
      • Community
      • Why TeamSnap?
      Company
      • About
      • CareersHiring!
      • For Brands
      • Partners
      • TeamSnap API
      • Responsible Disclosure Policy
      • Youth sports team and sports org app Apple App Store Logo
      • Youth sports team and sports org app Google Play Store Logo
      • social-media-facebook
      • social-media-twitter
      • social-pinterest
      • social-instagram
      • social-video-youtube
      • professional-network-linkedin
      • social-tiktok

      TeamSnap Footer Logo

      Copyright © 2005–2025 TeamSnap, Inc.

      • Sitemap
      • Terms
      • Privacy Policy
      • California Privacy Policy
      • Your Privacy Choices