In response to my last column, where I listed 25 maxims for coaches about “playing time,” several parents wrote to me with stories of coaches who handle playing time very well, or very poorly.
This made me realize it might be helpful to share some examples of thoughtful, well-executed playing-time philosophies I have witnessed during my 12 years as a youth sports parent and coach.
So here are five teams or leagues that, regardless of the degree to which they emphasize winning, have really impressed me.