How To Stay Engaged With Your Team When You’re Not Playing as Much

Like anything in life, playing soccer is quite a journey with ups and downs. Sometimes you won’t be playing as much as you’d like or as much as you could. Maybe you’re trying out a new team or having a down season. Maybe you’re injured or sick. No matter the reason, it can be disheartening not to play as much as you once did. However, there are still some key ways to stay engaged with your team when you’ve been benched:

Get Together off the Field

A great way to stay connected and engaged with your team when you’re not playing as much is to keep in touch. By connecting and communicating with group chats, you can build strong relationships with your teammates that won’t waiver if you’re not playing.

Even better, spending time with your teammates on tournament weekends or before and after games can ensure that you create a strong bond with your team.

Prioritize Practices

Perhaps your coach isn’t giving you the playing time you want or feel you deserve. Instead of feeling discouraged and drifting away from your team, this is the time to be honest with yourself and prioritize what matters most to you.

If soccer is your passion, ensure you make it to practice and give it your all. At practices, work to earn more playing time by collaborating with your teammates and being a leader.

By becoming a better teammate, you are becoming a better player for games and getting closer to your team. If you work hard, you can make it impossible for your coach not to play you.

Play in Your Free Time

If you aren’t playing as much or aren’t seeing the game time you’d like, another way to stay engaged with your team is to play on the weekends or during a break when you don’t have practices or games. Not only are you improving your soccer skills, but you are also finding joy in the game again.

No matter why you’re not playing as much, there are always things you can do to stay engaged with your team. Not seeing the playing time you’d like, or just being unable to play as much for any reason, is part of soccer and your growth as a player. It’s important to remember that your team is there for you, whether you’re playing or not. With time and dedication, you’ll be back better than ever.

Featured Image via Adobe Stock

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