How To Help Your Child Earn More Playing Time

One of the most widely discussed and touchiest topics regarding youth sports is the topic of PLAYING TIME. While I know many are towards the end of their seasons, I still think this content will be helpful.

This message is for those kids who are not getting as much playing time as they would like or they aren’t playing the positions they want to play. This is written from the perspective of a Head Coach of over a decade.

Before I offer some actionable tips, I want to make a potentially unpopular statement: playing time should NEVER be given. It should ALWAYS be earned!

Success in this world is never given – why should playing time? What are we teaching our children when they are just handed opportunities when they did not earn them? For me, we can start teaching kids this as soon as they start playing sports: if you work hard, support your teammates and keep a positive attitude you can, and likely will, EARN your playing time!

If playing time is given because parents write a check or because they are simply signed up for a team, they will not know how to work for their opportunities, or play a role on a team. They will grow to expect opportunities and will not receive feelings of accomplishment when they DO work hard to improve and earn their chances. This goes way beyond sports and is truly an integral life lesson!

Here is my top strategy for how to earn more playing time and identify areas for improvement while at the same time teaching communication and self-advocacy, while also letting the coach know you want to contribute to the team.

TIP: Guide your child how to approach their coach. DO NOT approach the coach yourself (this will only upset your coach and could even decrease your child’s playing time prospects)

Okay, I know what you are thinking… My kid is 9 years old; he can barely tie his shoes and you want him to approach his coach about playing time!?

My response: YES! But it’s up to you to guide them and role play it at home.

You should first explain to them what I explained above, that in life, nothing is given to you. You must earn EVERYTHING. Then you should offer them some possible questions and role play the situation so they are prepared to approach their coach at the next practice or game.

Here are some questions you should arm your child with:

• “Coach, what do I need to do to improve?”
• “Coach, how can I earn more playing time?”
• “Coach, I think I can help the team on the mound. How can I prove to you that I can pitch?”
• “Coach, would you be able to hit me some extra ground balls before or after practice?”

Try this approach. If this doesn’t make an impact on your child’s understanding of what he needs to do to earn playing time, I’d be shocked. Email me if this doesn’t work and I’ll talk with your son directly… It is now up to the player to make the adjustments and show the coach he can play!

Lastly, try to explain to your child this equation, which I always preach to my teams:

“Luck is when preparation meets opportunity” 

If your child is not getting the playing time he wants, BUT he has been working hard to prepare and is staying focused despite not getting the game reps, when their opportunity comes, they will succeed! Be prepared for your opportunities and success may be just around the corner.

Bottom line: Teach your kids, even at a young age, how to approach their coach directly. Yes, I know. It is going to be very tough for them. But this exercise will teach them a valuable lesson about communication and self-advocacy. Come college time and beyond, us parents won’t be able to fight their battles. Might as well teach them to fight their own battles now!

If this memo had an impact or you are enjoying this content, please reply to this message and let me know! Also feel free to forward to your little league teams if you feel this may be of benefit to them on their baseball journeys!

Hope to see you at a Legends program soon and enjoy the rest of your season!

In your corner,
Coach Klein