"Resting" vs. "Sitting"

[Hedbal]

I and several others from time to time have suggested "resting" a player (e.g., Jaime) whose play has slacked off of late, presumably so that he can return fully fit for action after a restorative break from full-time play. On less frequent occasions we suggest "sitting" a player who isn't getting it done (e.g., Jamil), the idea being that we don't think any amount of "rest" would make him the player he needs to be. But I wonder if we aren't pulling our punches. Take Donnet for example. He came to town unfit, and played sparingly while he regained conditioning. Now he occasionally goes a full 90 minutes, but doesn't seem to be making an imprint on the game. "Resting" him makes no sense, since he can't be overworked, so it's either play him or sit him. Then there's Erpen. His play has always been erratic - a spectacular, athletic play followed by a terrible brain fart - but it hasn't gotten less erratic, even after a two-game "rest" due to suspension. So he should either play or sit. The aforementioned Moreno. Novak finally gave him a "rest," and when he next played it was for only about 35 minutes and he had the best match I've seen from him in a long time. For me, that proves that resting him made sense, although I have to confess that at times I am in favor of sitting him down in favor of someone, anyone, who will run hard and shoot the ball.

So I would like to hear some honest views on who should not just "rest" but "sit," because (1) they aren't hacking it; and (2) they still won't hack it after a rest.

[John L]

Coaching and determining how to treat starters is always a balance between Consistency and The Individual - Between wanting a Competitive atmosphere for starting time and the Relaxed Knowledge that the coach is confident of your starting and playing

(And YES, Relaxation is a big part of playing well in soccer - If you're always on edge, you will probably be trying too hard out there, and your touches on the ball won't be soft - If you're relaxed and confident about your starting (and your teammates around you), then you play better and can get through the rough times better)

Some feel you should always play your best XI (almost regardless of position) and determine that somewhat on play during the game and hard work during practice - If some of the best XI have to be out of position because you want them out on the field, then so be it - And you're rather brutal about player selection - If a player is underperforming or slacking off in practice, then down they go - They might have to wait a month or more for the chance to crack the starting lineup again, and hope that one of the starters gets hurt or starts to play horribly - This kind of policy is like North Dallas Forty

Others feel (like myself) that you have a starting XIV or XV with a core of probably 5-7 players - This core of players you treat a bit differently than the rest of the team - These guys are obviously the best on the team and critical in their positions and overall team strategy and play - They don't all need to start every game, but most of them should be starting - You plan ahead on rotating them a bit over the course of the season, depending upon fitness, form, injury and strength of schedule - These core players are much more assured of being starters than the rest of the XV - They would have to underperform or be horrible in practice for a long stretch in order to lose their position - This allows them to relax and play better over the long run - And if this means possibly dropping a game in midseason because the sub didn't do all that well, then bite the bullet - Its still a better strategy in the long run

The rest of XV would be more competitive in their selection for starting and playing time, but also be made aware that they are in that starting XV group - I've always felt that if a player is good enough to make your team, then they're good enough to play - Not necessarily start, but play some and consistently

In our case at DCU, its pretty obvious Moreno and even Gomez (both in that central core) needed a rest more than they got - Some younger players like Esky or Walker (in the second group and aside from injuries) need a differentl treatment - Play them enough to see if they can "play through" their problems, but then just Bench them if they can't - I think this is what Filomeno finally did for us, but then he went back to Nuevo Chicago in Argentina - And yes I'd put Boswell and Erpen in our core as well - Core players who need an occassional game off to stay sharp and keep their focus