Switch to weaker team for more playing time

[Guest]

Would you switch your kid to a weaker team for a lot more playing time? Kid is in early years of high school. Been on current team for years. Not getting much playing time on current club. They have to chance to switch for November but the team will be much weaker (same league level). Better to practice with the better kids and play 20 mins a game or play a lot with weaker kids? Heard coach on weaker team is much more fair with playing time. Current coach def. focuses on starters and isn’t invested in others much. Has his mind made up about certain kids and it’s hard to make headway. No college aspirations. Just enjoys the game.

[Guest]

Is there another option? There are teams where, if you make the team, the players might get closer to half a game.

[Guest]

If no college aspirations, then go to the team where kid will play more.

[Guest]

Would you switch your kid to a weaker team for a lot more playing time? Kid is in early years of high school. Been on current team for years. Not getting much playing time on current club. They have to chance to switch for November but the team will be much weaker (same league level). Better to practice with the better kids and play 20 mins a game or play a lot with weaker kids? Heard coach on weaker team is much more fair with playing time. Current coach def. focuses on starters and isn’t invested in others much. Has his mind made up about certain kids and it’s hard to make headway. No college aspirations. Just enjoys the game.

Do you have the option to get more minutes with a lower team at your current club?

[Guest]

Would you switch your kid to a weaker team for a lot more playing time? Kid is in early years of high school. Been on current team for years. Not getting much playing time on current club. They have to chance to switch for November but the team will be much weaker (same league level). Better to practice with the better kids and play 20 mins a game or play a lot with weaker kids? Heard coach on weaker team is much more fair with playing time. Current coach def. focuses on starters and isn’t invested in others much. Has his mind made up about certain kids and it’s hard to make headway. No college aspirations. Just enjoys the game.

Ask your kid what they want. It shouldn't be your or our decision. If he/she is content and has good friends on the team they may want to stay. But if he/she wants to play more then switch. Because there are no plans on playing in college you can't go wrong as long as the kid is happy.

[Guest]

Ask your kid what they want. It shouldn't be your or our decision. If he/she is content and has good friends on the team they may want to stay. But if he/she wants to play more then switch. Because there are no plans on playing in college you can't go wrong as long as the kid is happy.

Good points. Think they are leaning towards switching if it all pans out. They definitely want to play more and are enjoying a ton of playing time in high school. They have friends on both teams. My personal take is everyone should get at least around 50%. Current coach has played some kids zero minutes. Not sure why their parents are ok with it. Don’t take anyone on a team you don’t want to play.

[Guest]

Would you switch your kid to a weaker team for a lot more playing time? Kid is in early years of high school. Been on current team for years. Not getting much playing time on current club. They have to chance to switch for November but the team will be much weaker (same league level). Better to practice with the better kids and play 20 mins a game or play a lot with weaker kids? Heard coach on weaker team is much more fair with playing time. Current coach def. focuses on starters and isn’t invested in others much. Has his mind made up about certain kids and it’s hard to make headway. No college aspirations. Just enjoys the game.

By your question I believe you already know the answer. To play for the love of the game is a great mindset and therefore with no college aspirations your child should choose playing time with the lessor team. That’s a no brained.

[Guest]

By your question I believe you already know the answer. To play for the love of the game is a great mindset and therefore with no college aspirations your child should choose playing time with the lessor team. That’s a no brained.

Thanks. Sometimes you just need an outside view!

[Guest]

Playing time, league or team doesn’t matter if no college aspirations. We just made a similar move and kid couldn’t be happier with the decision.

[Guest]

Playing time, league or team doesn’t matter if no college aspirations. We just made a similar move and kid couldn’t be happier with the decision.

Ummm congratulations?

[Guest]

Would you switch your kid to a weaker team for a lot more playing time? Kid is in early years of high school. Been on current team for years. Not getting much playing time on current club. They have to chance to switch for November but the team will be much weaker (same league level). Better to practice with the better kids and play 20 mins a game or play a lot with weaker kids? Heard coach on weaker team is much more fair with playing time. Current coach def. focuses on starters and isn’t invested in others much. Has his mind made up about certain kids and it’s hard to make headway. No college aspirations. Just enjoys the game.

Keep in mind, "playing down" just for more playtime will do absolutely nothing to help your kid improve. Yes, they will play more, but with weaker kids which will start to affect your kids development. The time is going to come where your kid gets an opportunity to play with a better team/group of kids, and they won't be at the same level. I'd say stay with the better club, and get your kid to play in a winter league somewhere. Hard work and commitment will get the playtime your kid deserves.

[Guest]

Keep in mind, "playing down" just for more playtime will do absolutely nothing to help your kid improve. Yes, they will play more, but with weaker kids which will start to affect your kids development. The time is going to come where your kid gets an opportunity to play with a better team/group of kids, and they won't be at the same level. I'd say stay with the better club, and get your kid to play in a winter league somewhere. Hard work and commitment will get the playtime your kid deserves.

Another TS person with reading comprehension issues. The OP said that their kid has no college aspirations. They play because they’re love the sport and just want to play, not sit. A lessor team is a win/win.

[Guest]

Keep in mind, "playing down" just for more playtime will do absolutely nothing to help your kid improve. Yes, they will play more, but with weaker kids which will start to affect your kids development. The time is going to come where your kid gets an opportunity to play with a better team/group of kids, and they won't be at the same level. I'd say stay with the better club, and get your kid to play in a winter league somewhere. Hard work and commitment will get the playtime your kid deserves.

Never playing does nothing to improve their skills either. What it does do is crush their love of the game. Besides, there often aren't vast differences between A and B and B and C - certainly not as vast as club owners want you to think.

[Guest]

Ummm congratulations?

Yes it's a real shame their kid is just playing because they love the game. Cant have that!

[Guest]

Would you switch your kid to a weaker team for a lot more playing time? Kid is in early years of high school. Been on current team for years. Not getting much playing time on current club. They have to chance to switch for November but the team will be much weaker (same league level). Better to practice with the better kids and play 20 mins a game or play a lot with weaker kids? Heard coach on weaker team is much more fair with playing time. Current coach def. focuses on starters and isn’t invested in others much. Has his mind made up about certain kids and it’s hard to make headway. No college aspirations. Just enjoys the game.

Find a slightly weaker team. As teams go down in skill there are large drop offs in the middle of the roster where top teams are strong 1-20. Don’t go to the basement for playing time as you still want a challenge, but no shame in realizing you just want to play and don’t have aspirations for the next level.