Ever since second grade, soccer has been a huge part of my life. Daily practices, weekly games, and far away tournaments have been integral to my youth, teaching me how to grind my butt off in the name of self-improvement.
After years of hard work, I finally reached the pinnacle of my soccer career this year. I had become a varsity benchwarmer.
Naturally, I was not good enough to start on a team that had won the past three state championships and was ranked #1 in the nation last year. However, I was good enough to act as a glorified cone for the several NCAA recruits to dance around in practice.
After two months of watching from the sidelines, I’ve finally mastered the basics of bench warming. In the process, I’ve also reached the conclusion that those on the bench are actually quite essential to the success of a high performing team.
A lot of people argue that benchwarmers don’t do anything and just ride on the talent of the starters. While it’s true that starters usually have the most impact on a game, substitutes can operate as significant role players and even come up in huge moments. For example, on the highest level of soccer, Sergi Roberto came off the bench against Paris Saint-Germain to score the final goal in Barcelona’s six goal fairytale comeback in 2017.
Nevertheless, us non-starters probably make our largest contribution on the training pitch. During practice, we function to make the starters better. Playing with the same 11 guys can get pretty boring, but adding in a dozen different bodies of variable skills and strengths can make training more stimulating. For example, a regular part of practice is the intersquad scrimmage between the starters and the bench. We’re not trying to trample each other when we play, but there definitely is a high level of competition.
Ultimately, depending on the benchwarmer, motivations for playing are mixed. Some of the more motivated bench players try to impress in practice in order to gain more in game playing time. Others just want to have fun and help the team. Either way, both types of benchwarmers end up helping the team by pushing those around them to get better.
Last but not least, benchwarmers are the best cheerleaders. Yes, it’s cool to have the actual cheer squad on the sidelines, supporting us with their synchronized chants, but it’s something else completely to have your brothers in the sideline handing out “way to work!”s and “nice ball!”s. From personal experience, having your teammates cheer their hearts out for you on the bench while you play adds gravity to the situation; you simply don’t want to let the team down.
All in all, bench warming and its many responsibilities are demanding. I touched on the biggest benefits of bench warming, but there are of course many others. Personally, I love the bench. The feeling of family, the opportunity for unexpected playing time, and the hype of the game make sitting in those seats quite a rewarding experience.
I love how you talked about an experience that isn’t glorified in our high pressure, high achieving community. On their way to be the best, many people forget virtues like building others up that is really the fundamental of building great character. But you obviously haven’t. Most admirably, even though soccer is as large of a part in your life compared with starters on the team, you haven’t become disillusioned with not having the “glory” that the starters have. You recognize that the system is inherently unfair; you still have to give your best during all the practices and games while not getting nearly as much playing time. And that that is ok because you are part of something much larger than yourself.
Well said! I think it’s a problem when people are so driven by recognition and “clout” that they instantly become disillusioned when they don’t get it.
Benchwarming can surely be a frustrating experience, but I liked how you highlighted the importance that these players have on a scale larger than a single game. Every individual on the team has a role; when everyone embraces their role, the team is better off. How large of an effect does a weak bench have on a competitive team in your experience or knowledge?
Role players definitely have a large impact, especially in practice. When benchwarmers are working hard, they keep the starting squad on edge, motivating them to continue to improve. Stating that benchwarmers are the best cheerleaders is also accurate, but I would like to extend on this cheering, both by players and fans. Benchwarmers may be the best cheerleaders on the sidelines, but they are often the most cheered for players when they enter and start to do well. The same people excelling all the time can start to get repetitive, but everyone loves an underdog. Consider movements like Linsanity, in which millions of people came together in support of Jeremy Lin after he started performing well. People should change their view of benchwarmers, like you argue, as these players have the most to gain.
To answer your question about a weak bench, I would say that the more depth a team has, the more they will have longevity in their success. Injury, fatigue, and sickness can take star players out of rotation. If a team has a weak bench, their performance will significantly suffer. A strong bench gives the starters motivation to work hard and valuable rest to maintain their bodies. Also, I love your reference to JLin. Subs like him definitely have a chance to move up the ladder like any other athlete.
Some people find benchwarming to be a joke, an insult even, but after reading this post I love the way that you cherish your prized position on the team! I’ll be honest, I was one of those people who thought that, as you said, “benchwarmers don’t do anything and just ride on the talent of the starters”. After all, while watching games on TV or in person, you focus on the action on the field and not what’s happening on the sides. This post has shined a light on the behind the scenes, what happens backstage.
I enjoyed your outlook on the whole situation. From acting as a cheerleader who supports your team or a helper during practice, it seems as if you have found your niche in the team and make an impact nonetheless.
Because it seems like you’ve had some experience with this topic, let me field a few questions to you. Is there a stigma surrounding benchwarming in professional sports and, if so, is it something we should address? Should the benchwarmers and substitutes get more media attention and respect?
I think it just comes down to giving credit to where credit’s due. In basically all cases in sports, the starters have earned their spots by outperforming others on the team, so they have earned their media attention. I don’t think the media should feature bench-warmers because it’s not that exciting to read about a player who doesn’t play much. However, at the same time, I think we should also acknowledge the efforts of those behind the stage, whether it be bench-warmers, staff, etc.
Hi Chen, illuminating post!
I love your tone of dedication and familial strength when discussing your teammates – it’s refreshing to see such discipline and commitment to self-improvement. The fact of the matter is, although you may not be under the spotlight all the time, it’s the hard work you’ve put in for years that has gotten you where you are today.
Another aspect I feel drives benchwarmers – in fact, anyone who is perhaps ranked below, but close to, the top in anything – is the constant sense of insecurity (in a positive connotation) and gap to close. It’s this push to overtake the top that not only improves 2nd and 3rd place, but pushes the leaders of the pack to continue fighting for their spot on top. Only when people battle in friendly competition does everyone benefit and find themselves improving the most.
I 100% agree. Depending on the situation, sometimes it’s hard to motivate yourself, but when there are others gunning to beat you, it lights a fire under your butt and makes you realize that you aren’t as great as you think you are.