First Thing First - Should all children/players, regardless of ability, be offered equal playing time?

The entire purpose of practicing and learning the game is so players can eventually execute what they’ve learned in a competitive match. If a player does not get to play in those matches, what is the point of them learning and becoming better players?

It is absolutely, completely necessary for players to play a significant amount of time in competitive matches in order to properly develop. This does not mean that all players should get equal time. They should play a significant amount of time, which may or may not be equal to that of their teammates. 

“Playing Time: playing less time does not have to mean playing little to no time!”

Game Time is a simple concept: come match-day, everyone in your team gets the significant amount of time on the pitch. Adopting this approach serves three important purposes. 

1. It helps to engage your team. If players spend less time on the grass than others – or don’t get on at all – they may become demoralised/disinterested. 
2. Significant playing time helps to develop your team. This is especially true for younger age groups (where it’s harder to spot potential talent). By giving everyone the same opportunity to test their skills, you can help prevent players from being left behind. 
3. In relation to players who may make it to pro-level: players should experience a range of situations – starting, starting as a substitute, coming on as a substitute, being substituted

Now, let’s define what it means to play “significantly.” As a general rule, the younger the players, the more time they should be guaranteed in a match. We need to maximize their potential for growth as much as possible, which means playing more.

• U10 and younger: two-thirds of the game
• U11-U15: more than half the game
• U16 and older: half the game

Most notably, coaches are known for only starting their best or favoured players and giving their ‘weaker players’ minimal playing time.

Obviously, adopting equal playing time can have an impact on your team’s performance. For example, it may mean that your ‘best’ or favourites players see less of the action. 

REMEMBER - there will be times when as coach you have no choice but to rely on players that you usually don’t rely on. If these players don’t have regular experience in matches, when the time comes that they need to play, they will likely be very nervous. Be prepared for big games by allowing all players to experience regular time in matches.