I took my first volunteer coaching opportunity helping out a freshman basketball team. I had an experience where one of the boys came up to me after practice and was complaining about his current situation on the team. I just sat there and let him vent his frustrations. He discussed how he was upset that he was always getting pulled from the game and being benched. After he expressed his anger,
I said to him “Do you know why he does that?” He replied saying “no.” I said, “He does that because he sees how great you can become.” I never heard anything more from that player the rest of the season and that experience has always stuck with me.
Lessons Learned from the Bench
As you start moving up to higher levels of competitive athletics, the “everyone plays” mantra starts to diminish. Not everyone will get the opportunity to play an equal amount of time, some may not play many minutes the entire season.
We aren’t all going to play every minute of every game so what can we learn when we are on the bench?
Learn to improve your game
Being on the bench can motivate you to work harder to get the opportunity to be in the game. The time you spend on the bench can help you think about what you can do to fine tune your skills to improve your chances of future playing time. Don’t be afraid to ask the coach questions about what you can do to improve.
Learn to Observe
Some never even played in high school at all. “One of the most overrated thoughts out there is that if you weren’t a great player, you can’t be a great coach,” said Coach Frank Martin with five NCAA tournament appearances including a Final Four.
Learn to be Committed
Learn to Support a Team
Learn to Push Yourself
Learn to Understand a Role
Learn to Enjoy the Journey
Learn to be a student-The bench is a master teacher. You get to study the playbook and have a greater understanding of the X’s and O’s of the game. Learn to read what the other teams are doing and how to counter. What can you do to stay engaged in the game on the bench?
Help with Water
Keep your teammates hydrated. When they come off the field or there is a timeout have water ready.
Keep Stats
Ask the coach if you can assist with keeping some stats. There are always things that coaches would like to track throughout the game and the coaches can only do so much.
Keep your Teammates Focused
If teammates come out of the game distraught, be that positive force that keeps them ready to go. If you notice players messing around the bench help redirect them into cheering for the team.
Be Prepared
Your name could be called at any time to enter the game. Know the matchups and who you may be guarding when you go in the game. Know what the coach needs from you when you enter. Be the spark off the bench to ignite the team.
I understand that we are competitors and we all want to be playing in the game, but if and when you aren’t, look in the mirror before you quit. Ask yourself about regret? How will you feel if you quit and look at what you can gain by continuing to do all you can to play the game you love!
Check out some of my other blog post on youth sports Be a C.H.E.E.R. leader. How to make the team.
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photo credit: Ryan Ojibway <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/97795627@N00/28636020953“>The Game</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com“>photopin</a> <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/“>(license)</a>