Letter From the Editor/Publisher: Playing Time: A Difficult Issue

Of the many responsibilities a coach has, one of the more difficult ones is playing time. In many cases, the decisions are clear-cut and the level of performance dictates one athlete is outplaying another. In others though, the level of play by two athletes competing for the same position can be miniscule. In this situation, who should be the starter with all things being relatively equal? Is it experience, attitude, performance in pressure situations or something else? And then you have the outside factors that can influence a decision on playing time: the role of parents, the booster club and the media. One high school coach in California told us he encourages kids and parents to talk to the position coaches if playing time is an issue. If it is left unresolved, the head coach asks the respective coordinator to get involved. Then, if still unresolved, the head coach himself will