[dude8]

just curious, but as a coach, what would you do if you had a tough, non-region game on a tuesday and a tough, must-win region game on thursday? would you play your first string tuesday, or rest most of them for thursday? i understand there are pros and cons for both.

let me know what you think.

[Chicago1871]

Depends. What age group are we talking here? AYSO, Club, High School?

My first instinct would be to play the starters, but for a limited amount of time. Get the reserves in there and give the starting 11 some long breathers. But don't just through the backups in for the whole game, mix it up a bit, it could even prove a nice warm up for the later game.

[dude8]

sorry, i am talking about high school.

[uniteo]

Competition will be the best practice, play your starters and primary subs in the 1st half, then the primary subs and secondary players in the 2nd half. If you're lucky, you'll get a lead in the 1st half.

Of course, you know which players you have that can run for days, or who never want to come out of a game. Best to let them be so they're in a good frame of mind for the 2nd game.

Whatever you do, don't tell them to take it easy for fear of injury. I firmly believe that tentative play makes such fears self-fulfilling.