Playing time in sports should be distributed out based on multiple components, instead of just skill. Some athletes are very good at what they do, but they don’t show up to practice or they don’t put in the effort to get better. Nevertheless, they still play 70% of the game, leaving their hardworking teammates on the bench feeling defeated. Coaches should encourage participation and effort from their players by awarding play time based on a balanced combination of factors, including participation and hard work, not just skill.

The coach who gives an athlete a lot of playing time, even though they don’t show up to practice, establishes a poor example. Too often, coaches say at the beginning of the season, “if you don’t show up, you won’t play,” but then they play someone who doesn’t show up to practice because they have more experience than others. That’s hypocritical. It sends the message that hard work doesn’t pay off and team spirit doesn’t really matter. It illustrates favoritism and causes resentment on the team.

Assigning playing time purely based on skill, regardless of the amount of work one is putting into the team, can be very limiting and destructive to players. Self-confidence plummets and performance becomes worse, which is not only bad for the player, but bad for the team.

Scrimmages and drills in practices will never benefit potential players as much as real playing time because they never accurately simulate the same performance-adjusting stress level of a game. If coaches distribute playing time based on hard work, participation and skill, all players will benefit by having motivation, their confidence will increase, and they’ll have fun doing that sport. This will help them and the team improve more quickly and more fully.

Playing time on developmental teams should be equal because most kids just play to have fun rather than make a career out of their sport. Winning or losing in developmental teams won’t have any impact on future life success. On competitive teams, such as varsity and older club teams where kids are considering playing in college and beyond, coaches can distribute playing time more unevenly. However, they still need to consider other factors for playing time besides skill.

Skill isn’t everything. Hard work isn’t everything. Participation isn’t everything. Bringing all three together will make a better, stronger athlete. Regardless of the type of team, whether it be a JV or a varsity team, coaches should consider multiple factors that include hard work, attendance, and skill, when they’re deciding the amount of playing time someone gets.