CAP II CLIPBOARD
When playing time becomes an issue Preseason moves and clear guidelines can help your team fi nd unity
By George Bottles Williamsburg Volleyball Club, Williamsburg, Va.
specialist. That scenario describes my most recent club season after various factors took my roster from 11 down to seven in less than a month at the beginning of our schedule. This situation is the exception rather than the norm.
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The topic of playing time and how you address it with players, parents and admin- istrators is best begun pre-season. I suggest written guidelines to which you can refer a player or parent as the need arises. I will discuss the issue of playing time from both a high school and club coach perspective, as that is my experience.
SPECIFY CRITERIA A common response I’ve heard about play- ing time goes something like this, “Players earn playing time in practice.” What does that mean? Be certain to spell out what is meant by earning playing time. You do not need an exhaustive list, but you do need to
laying time is a non-issue — if you have seven players on your roster and one of them happens to be a defensive
be clear about the criteria you believe to be important in earning court time. I suggest you leave yourself some leeway — a little ambiguity, if you will — when it comes to match management and playing time. In my team guidelines, I have this state- ment: “You accept that playing time is decided by the coaches in the best interest of the team, many times in the circumstances of the moment. You acknowledge that enthu- siasm from the bench is a vital part of this team.”
CUSTOMER OR EMPLOYEE?
Are the players / parents paying a substan- tial amount of money to participate (club) or are costs minimal? Consumers expect a certain level of satisfaction for goods and services purchased. No parent enjoys watch- ing their child sit on the bench for extended periods of time, especially if they have paid a considerable amount of money for their child to play. Be considerate of this fact. What is the experience level of your team? If you have a young, inexperienced team
54 | VOLLEYBALLUSA • Digital Issue at
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then equal playing time might be a realistic policy. If, on the other hand, you are coach- ing college-bound players and your team is fi lled with stud-type athletes, equal playing time is rarely realistic.
Whichever type of team you have, be cer- tain to communicate early in the season, and repeat your policy and guidelines for playing time when necessary.
WHO’S WHO?
Often it is the parent and not the player concerned about playing time. Ask the parents if they have fi rst discussed the situa- tion with the child. Children are sometimes satisfi ed with platoon roles or getting “spot” playing time because they recognize the tal- ent hierarchy for their position. The player’s goal may be to improve enough this season to be a starter in the future.
AN INDIVIDUAL MATTER “Don’t look sideways” is a phrase I fi rst heard from Sue Enquist, the UCLA Hall of Fame softball player and coach. In our con-
PHOTO: TEXAS STAR
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