Playing Time!!!!!

By: Chris Carroll, CMAA - New Jersey

I don't want to date myself, but to say that I would never question the decision of a coach or teacher is an understatement. I remember my father saying to me, "I want you to do your best." He'd be okay if I wasn't an "A" student, but I wouldn't have even come home if there were ever any issues with my behavior. The coach/teacher set the rules and determined grades, positions, levels and when or if you played.

If you wanted to play and become a starter you had to earn it. You worked hard on and off the field. You did the right thing and followed school rules and policies. Each player who truly wanted to get on the field put in extra time on his or her own. There were no special training clubs, trainers, or gym memberships. You would get home, do your homework and chores, and then run 3-5 miles, bike another 5-10 miles, and take a 100-pound barbell down in your basement and do every possible exercise you could think of, never once thinking you deserved something just for showing up for practice.

You also were never in an administrator's office for any form of discipline and you showed respect for everyone, including your teammates and your opponents.

Boy, have times changed...

Now everyone expects to be on the varsity squad and starting. Playing time is thought to be up for discussion and debate. Coaches too often hear, "My son/daughter's travel team was number one in their section and my son/daughter was the top scorer. Therefore, they should be starting varsity and be on the field at all times."

I've been an athletic administrator for the past 20 years and it has always been my philosophy that playing time is earned; that the person who determines playing time is the Head Coach. It is not the Athletic Director, the Building Principal, Superintendent or the School Board who makes that decision. It is the Coach's responsibility. It's my job (as AD) to make sure that the coach is doing his/her job and it's my job to evaluate and recommend him/her for re-hire or termination. The hiring or non-renewal of coaches should not be open to public forums and athletic administrators should be able to provide a corrective action plan if warranted.

As the song goes "The times, they are a changing" and for me it's not for the better. Players, parents and outside coaches need to understand that the school's coaching staff sees Johnnie/Jane every day in practice. They know what they can and cannot do, how much effort they put in, and they also know who will give their team the best chance to be successful.

Parents and Fans also need to know that it's not always about winning, sometimes a coach will have to sit a player for a number of reasons that may impact the outcome of the game. That's why high school athletics are an extension of the classroom and should be treated as an educational experience. Too often today many people feel that being on varsity and being the starter is going to get them an athletic scholarship at the collegiate level; a "free ride" as it were. However, statistically this is a very unreal expectation and many of our students and their parents need to grasp this reality. Fortunately, that's not what high school athletics is about. Players/Parents need to begin to understand that it's not the end result, but the experience itself that should be the reward.

Our society has made some major changes and not all for the better. Today it's all about ME and not about TEAM. The majority of students/parents have the expectation that everyone deserves a medal/trophy for participation. There seems to be a sense of entitlement about individual goals and objectives and the need for hard work and sacrifice for the betterment of the team no longer takes the lead. We need to begin to change this mind set. We need to hold everyone accountable and we need to let coaches coach. Additionally, our coaches have to feel that their decisions are not going to be second guessed by every fan sitting in the top row and our spectators need to grasp what the scholastic athletic contests are all about. We as a society need to get refocused. Players need to develop a better work ethic and begin to put the effort back into their practices and performances. Parents and fans need to do the right thing as well and that is to support the decisions of the coaches and officials even if their son or daughter has to sit the bench or the call doesn't go their way. It's time for our society to revisit what it truly means to be a high school athlete and what these scholastic events should represent which is: TEAM FIRST; hard work in and out of the classroom; positive sportsmanship; and respect for ourselves and others.

The only expectation our student-athletes and parents should have is that they need to strive to be the best supporting member of their respective team(s) and that their efforts on the field and in the stands should be to support the program and demonstrate good sportsmanship.

In my play book, playing time is:

Below is a copy of an abstract of the Kittatinny Regional School Districts Student Handbook with information that pertains to this article:

RESPONSIBILITIES: It is the Head Coach's responsibility to decide which student athlete will participate and at which level of play, as well as the amount of playing time that the student will have.

Questions regarding this area will be addressed directly to the Head Coach in a mutually acceptable time frame and in an appropriate and professional manner. If these concerns are not addressed in a satisfactory manner, the next course of action is to meet with the Athletic Director. Then, if needed, the Assistant Principal (Middle or High School depending on the student's grade level), then, if needed, the Principal. Lastly, if needed, you should request, in writing, a meeting with the School Superintendent. Athletes will be on time for practice and will be prepared for practice every day. Athletes should also prioritize their affiliations with community teams, placing the needs of the KRHS team first.

I am eager to hear about how you/your district deals with the issues of playing time and I will follow-up this article with the results that are shared. If you are interested in providing your school's approach to this matter, please email me your suggestions to:

ccarroll@krhs.net using subject: Playing Time