Let’s face it, all volleyball players want to play, win, and have as much court time as possible. The problem is, out of the dozen players in the lineup, only half gets chosen to start and have much playing time. But this doesn’t mean that bench warmers have nothing to do. In fact, one of the most difficult roles in a team belongs to bench players. Once bench players are called to play, they are expected to deliver right away. So, I will try to explore the silver lining on how to keep the drive, motivation, and confidence for bench warmers who sometimes do not get to play in matches.
Skills Discipline - Coaches need an all-around and disciplined player. It doesn’t mean that if you are a spiker, your only job is to attack. No. You are also expected to defend. This is one of the reasons why Tin Tiamzon starts for DLSU and not May Luna. Luna has more firepower than Tiamzon but Tiamzon is a better receiver and digger than Luna. Although contrary to popular opinion, I think that same can be said to Ces Molina of Petron. Although Sisi Rondina is more explosive than Molina, the former is in the starting six (in previous editions of the PSL All-Filipino Conference) because she is more disciplined in blocking and floor defense than the latter.
Counter Fatigue - In leagues with games that have short intervals, for example the schedule of the games are everyday or every other day, fatigue and injuries can be very common. In order to avoid this, coaches opt to bench some of their starters. For example, in last year’s edition of Volleyball Nations League, or VNL, USA used outside hitters Michelle Bartsch, Jordan Larson, and Kim Hill alternately, and middle blockers Lauren Gibbemeyer, Foluke Akinradewo, Tori Dixon, and Rachel Adams were given equal amount of playing time in the preliminary round.
Chemistry - Even imports get benched at times. Imports are expected to be superior in skills and this still holds true even if they are benched, but volleyball is a team sport and team members have to play cohesively in order to win. Chemistry is so important in volleyball that sometimes it is okay to sacrifice a dominantly strong player (but doesn’t have chemistry with the team) with an average player but plays well along with the team.
Injury - Of course if a player is injured, even if it’s just a minor injury, coaches would not like to risk the health of their players. Just like how Des Cheng of DLSU and Mean Mendrez of UE, who both suffered from minor shoulder injuries, started off the bench for a couple of games for their respective teams.
Special Role - If you have a special role in the team, then expect that you would really be on the bench for the majority of the match. Players who have special roles are the service specialists, defensive specialists, and players who will take part in specific play substitutions.
Demeanor - if your body language will just pull down the rest of the team, the coach might as well put you on the bench.
Substitution Opportunities for Bench Players
These are the usual situations when coaches seek the bench for a substitution:
Service Specialist - We usually observe this on the latter parts of a set, where a more stable server or a more lethal server is needed by the team. This often has a double purpose because service specialists are also expected to be good floor defenders. Example: Bingle Landicho replaces Gel Luceño for a sure service and contribute in the backline defense of NU.
Defensive Specialist - We usually observe this when a player lacks defensive skills and he/she needs to be replaced at the back. Example: Adamson’s Chen Ave replaces Eli Soyud for the whole rotation at the back to receive and dig, but Soyud comes back in to replace Ave when she rotates to the front to spike and block.
Double Substitution - We usually observe this when a frontline setter is replaced by an opposite spiker, and a back line opposite spiker is replaced by a setter. The purpose of this substitution is either to maximize three frontline spikers or to avoid having a blocking liability (because setters usually have shorter block reach). Example: DLSU’s Michelle Cobb (S), who is about to be a frontliner, is replaced by May Luna (OP), while Jolina Dela Cruz (OP), who is about to serve, is replaced by Mars Alba (S).
Direct Substitution - We usually observe this when a starting player underperforms or commits a lot of mistakes. Example: FEU’s Cza Carandang replaces Jeanette Villareal to add threat in the middle.
Specific Play Substitution - This kind of substitution is not usually observed in local volleyball. I usually see it in men’s international competitions when a team needs good blocking where they would put a good blocker to replace a frontline setter even though there’s no setter left in the court. The purpose is to block the opponent. That’s it. If unsuccessful, the player will be subbed out immediately. Example: Japan’s Naonobu Fujii (S) is replaced by Issei Otake (OP) for the sole purpose of blocking. Same scenario when France’s Ben Toniutti (S) is replaced by Jean Patry (OP).
Opportunity Substitution - When a team has a wide score gap against the opponent and they have the luxury to try out if the bench players click with the starting players, some bench players are put in to play. Example: ADMU’s Vanie Gandler replaces Jules Samonte when they are way ahead of their opponents.
Tips for Bench Players
Cheer your heart out. Bring positive energy to your team. Be the kind of teammate you would want supporting you when you get the chance to play.
Observe. Take the game as a learning opportunity. Watch how your teammates and opponents move inside the court. Take advantage of this time to increase your volleyball IQ.
Know your team’s needs. You can’t just watch and live at the bench forever. You have to add value to the team. What does the team need from you? What are you expected to deliver? Score a point? A stuff block? A service ace? Or a good first ball? Strive to be a specialist in one of these.
Always expect that you will be called to play. Some players think that when they are bench players, they can already relax. The opposite should be the case. Players should keep themselves “warm,” so that they wouldn’t be caught “cold” off the bench if they are called.
Ask. Don’t hesitate to consult your coaches. Ask how can you improve your game or how can you help the team.
Assess yourself. Players often take self-assessment for granted. Are you happy with your current situation? Have you already reached your goal? If not, are you willing to sacrifice time and effort to achieve your goal?
Do your best. It may sound cliche but this is what bench players should be doing when asked to play. Just do your best. You will most likely be called in during the crucial stretches of the match and the only way you will be able to help your team is if you do your best. Anything less than 100% is not good enough.
Earn your coaches’ respect. As the popular saying goes, respect is earned, not given.
Lay down your options. If you have done all the tips described above but still find yourself at the bench then maybe the problem is not you anymore. Maybe you do not fit in the coaches’ system. If you think you are not growing as a player any more, then consider changing your environment i.e. transfer to another team.
Success Story
Here is a story shared to me by one reader of the blog. I hope that their success story will inspire more players, starters and bench warmers alike, to always strive to be better players and individuals.
From @_jvtorino:
Volleyball has been a part of my life ever since I started playing for the name of my school. In fact, I only became a varsity way back 2015. Of course my new teammates are veterans, who has been a part of the team years earlier than me. It’s already expected that I would be put on the bench. It’s been like that for two years, I was only good for a substitution whenever one of my teammates were not doing well. It's frustrating, of course. After all the training and hard work, it’s still not enough. For a whole year, I was coping hard with my surroundings, trying to catch up with my teammates without realizing it is not benefiting my potential and myself.
I was not growing.
Over the course of summer, I took every opportunity to do self-training. Honed my skills and improve everything I have. I never wasted any day on practicing and interacting with new friends who play the sport as well.
A year after and up until today, I am now part of the first six of my team. Never ever settle for something that doesn't bring out the best in you. Volleyball is a team sport and requires teamwork, yes. But with team work alone is not enough for you to grow and be strong. Greed in volleyball is not a bad thing, it is for your own good, to yourself. Train hard, even if no one is watching you, lift those weights, run farther than before, work hard harder than before. The greed you need to own is the greed that will make you grow and make you strong, and the greed that will help your team.
Never be afraid to try new things in order for you to become strong. Do it, don't hesitate. Hesitation will delay you from becoming strong. Never be afraid to commit mistakes, they are done once, but doing it twice is an act of foolishness. Your own mistakes should be your own motivation. Accept constructive criticisms, from your coaches, team mates, friends, families, and fans. It will help and make you grow as an athlete.
Volleyball taught me that you should never settle for less, never settle for something that doesn't make you happy, never settle for something that doesn't brings the best version for you. You'll get there, little one. Patience, hard work and the passion you have for volleyball.
References
Oden, Beverly. “Know Your Role on Your Volleyball Team.” ThoughtCo, 30 April 2018. https://www.thoughtco.com/know-your-role-on-your-volleyball-team-3428907
“The Difficult Job of the Role Player or ‘Sub.’” Competitive Advantage. https://www.competitivedge.com/difficult-job-role-player-or-“sub”