Hi Alex, I am new to the forums but I noticed your question and had to grapple with the same issue last season as a coach to U14s.

We had a situation where there were multiple players for one position (All on the left). It was a development team with lots of players who were new to football. Some were very promising and some were lacking fitness or enthusiasm. As a coaching team we had long discussions regarding equal play time. The main issues we discussed were based around how it affected team morale when a very engaged, hard working player (hard working, not just in games but also at training and in warm ups) was replaced with a player who showed a lack of desire and engagement. This was probably the trickiest part for me personally as I felt it was disheatening for the players who wanted to learn and worked hard for the team, to have those who didn't equally rewarded.

Bearing in mind the games were 35 min halves there was also a big issue around players who were just not fit enough to last an equal share of a 70min game. It is a bit of headache to try balancing it exactly with so many factors at play and, as you say, not knowing your team I can only offer thoughts from my own experience. We decided that it was important for players to experience being substituted and starting games as Sub. But also to be realistic that keeping a tired player on was not doing the best by the player or the team.

As the season went on began planning the game as 3x 23min phases but only planning the first phase of subs. For the final phase we would make changes based on who was struggling and needed a rest or was carrying a knock first and then players that had been on for both phase 1 and 2. Also moving players into different positions was a throughout the season to accomodate the changes allowed us to spot the true utility players who could adapt. Some players ended up up playing 3 different positions in a game. That is very challenging for the player and we found that some could do it and others would really struggle to get heir head around the changes. But once you know who can adapt to different positions it really does make the job of balancing the game time easier. Some players would also end up playing the whole game based on fitness rather than abilty to help other players get the rest periods they would need.

Eventually the players realised that they would have ample playing oppotunities over the course of the season and became more proactive about requesting a rest and taking responsibility for their own fitness and wellbeing. What we didn't do was promise an equal portion of every game to every player in the squad on a matchday. It just wouldn't have worked and we would have spent more time worrying about the timings than the team. What did do was give everyone a fair go and encouraged everyone to give 100% for the time they were on. This meant that generally players being subbed were praised for running themselves to the max for the team. One last thing was being very fluid in the final 23min phase so we may bring a player off for 8 mins and give lots of the players short rests before going back on.

I know we didn't give exactly equal game time but it really worked for us. I am sure other people will have different perspectives and experiences and obviously the age group I was working with is a bit older and the games tended to be more physically demanding but I hope there are a few ideas in there somewhere that may help you. 

Wishing you the very best of luck for the season ahead.

Much respect

Hi Alex,

I have a similar dilemma. I have just taken on a newly formed under 11 girls team. I have at least 12 in my squad but can only take 11 to game days so if everyone is available someone misses out completely every week and then I have 4 subs for 7v7. I'd also be grateful on tips to manage equal playing time, especially in the beginning whilst I am getting to know the girls and where they like to play etc.

Will keep an eye on the responses you get!

Michelle