Let’s be honest, every player on the bench shares the same burning question: “What do I have to do to get more minutes?” I’ve been there, staring at the back of the coach’s head, willing him to turn around and call my number. Over the years, both from my own time on the pitch and from observing countless players who made the leap from substitute to starter, I’ve realized it’s rarely about one magical moment of brilliance. It’s about consistently demonstrating a value so undeniable that the coach feels he’s hurting the team by keeping you off the field. The reference point we have—a player delivering 10 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists—is a perfect case study, even if it’s from a basketball context. The principle translates perfectly: it’s the stat line of a contributor, not just a specialist.
Think about that line for a second. Ten points is solid, but it’s not eye-popping. Fourteen rebounds, however, shows a relentless commitment to the dirty work, to winning possession. Six assists reveals a player who is looking for teammates, who makes the players around him better. This is the golden ticket. Coaches don’t just need goal-scorers; they need reliable, intelligent players who impact the game in multiple phases. In soccer terms, this means your job is to be a solution, not a problem. If you’re a forward, it’s not enough to just hover near the opponent’s box waiting for service. What are your pressing numbers like? How many times did you track back and help your fullback? Did you win those second balls in midfield? I remember a specific game early in my career where I was frustrated with my lack of touches, so I decided my entire focus would be on defensive positioning and closing down passing lanes. I didn’t score, but I completed 4 tackles, intercepted 7 passes, and covered nearly 11 kilometers. The coach pulled me aside afterward and said, “Now I know I can trust you in a tight game.” That trust is the currency of playing time.
So, how do you build that trust daily? It starts when the whistle isn’t blowing. Your performance in training is your primary audition. I’ve seen incredibly talented players waste their potential by coasting through drills, saving their “real” effort for match day. That’s a fatal error. Coaches are watching everything—your first touch in a simple passing drill, your recovery speed after a sprint, even your body language when you make a mistake. Are you the first to arrive and the last to leave? Do you ask clarifying questions about a tactical setup? This professional demeanor signals that you’re invested, and it makes a coach far more likely to take a chance on you when the opportunity arises. I’ll admit I have a strong preference for players who are self-starters. You shouldn’t need a coach screaming at you to give 100% in a Tuesday afternoon possession grid. That internal drive is what separates the ones who get noticed from the ones who blend into the background.
When your chance does come, whether it’s ten minutes at the end of a match or a start in a cup game, your objective is singular: tilt the game in your team’s favor. This doesn’t mean trying to dribble past five players every time you get the ball. It means executing the fundamentals with extreme clarity and energy. Make the simple, effective pass. Show for the ball in tight spaces. Communicate constantly, organizing those around you. If you’re a defender, win your aerial duels—let’s say you win 85% of them, a specific, commanding number that sticks in a coach’s mind. If you’re a winger, complete your defensive assignments and then provide width. The player from our example filled the stat sheet across categories, and that’s what you must do. Don’t be a one-trick pony. A modern full-back, for instance, is expected to contribute to build-up play, have a pass completion rate above 87%, provide overlapping runs, and still be solid defensively. Show you can do more than one job, and you become indispensable.
Finally, you have to master the mental game. Sitting on the bench is a psychological grind. It’s easy to become negative, to blame the coach or the system. Fight that impulse with everything you have. Be the best teammate on the bench—analyze the game, shout encouragement, and be ready physically and mentally the moment you’re called. I learned this from an older veteran when I was a rookie. He’d warm up with more intensity than anyone, even if he knew he wasn’t starting, and he’d study the opponent’s weak side defender relentlessly. When he got his 15 minutes, he was often decisive because he was prepared. He turned what looked like a bit-part role into a platform for impact. That proactive mindset is a choice, and it’s one every player seeking more time must make.
In the end, maximizing your playing time isn’t about a single conversation or a flashy play. It’s a campaign built on consistent, multi-faceted contributions, a professional approach that earns trust, and a resilient mentality that turns limited opportunities into compelling arguments for more. Just like that stat line of 10, 14, and 6 tells a story of all-around effort, your game must tell the coach a story—a story that the plot is incomplete without you on the pitch. Make your narrative one of undeniable value, and you’ll find the coach’s gaze turning to you more and more often.