Being a bench player is not easy at any level. Everybody wants to play, but unfortunately not everybody can be a starter. On different teams you will have different roles, and at some point that may require you to come off the bench, or maybe not come into the game at all. Regardless of how many minutes you play, your value to the team is still the same and your role is still equally as important. Although coming off the bench has its challenges, there are still many positives that you can take from it with the right mindset. With that said, here are a few strategies that can help keep you motivated if you are playing on the second string.

1. Don’t Compare

Rule number one, run your own race! Everyone is on their own personal basketball journey and everyone’s path is going to look a little different. Don’t let other players journeys make you feel unworthy or less than – keep working hard and stay assured that your time will come. The only person you should be comparing yourself with is yourself and the progress you are making every day.

2. Use it As a Learning Opportunity 

Although nobody wants to be a bench warmer, a lot can be learned from observing. Rather than looking at coming off the bench as a negative, try to change your mindset and see it as an opportunity to learn. Watching the game from the sidelines without the high pressure/stakes of being on the floor actually gives you an advantage to study the game and see it from a different perspective.

3. Focus on the Controllables

Focus on your things you can control, like your attitude and effort. Even if you aren’t playing big minutes, these are things (within your control) that shouldn’t change. Some other controllables include being a good teammate, locking in to the scout, putting in extra work outside of practice, keeping a positive mindset, etc. Your playing time shouldn’t dictate your focus or level of commitment to the team.

4. Set Attainable Goals

Set individual goals for yourself to stay engaged and motivated. Keep them attainable and make them process focused, rather than outcome focused. This could be making a certain number of shots every day, doing 10 minutes of ball handling before practice, topping up on extra conditioning after practice, or watching film once a week with a member of your coaching staff. Every day is an opportunity to get better, whether you are playing big minutes or not.

5. Compete HARD

If you are coming off the bench, you should compete every day in practice like you are trying to steal a starting spot. Give everything you have in each drill and come to practice every day ready to play. Earn your spot, earn more minutes. Keep your level of intensity high and show that you deserve to be in the rotation. Make your coach have to play you!

6. Find other ways to Make a Positive Impact 

If you aren’t seeing the court as much as you’d like to, find other ways to make a positive impact on the team. Encourage your teammates, host team dinners, become a vocal leader, keep the energy high on the bench, have water bottles ready, give high fives, be the best cheerleader on the team. Just because you aren’t playing huge minutes, doesn’t mean your role is not important. Teams are only as strong as their 12th player.  Whether you play 40 minutes or 0 minutes, you are still just as important to the success of the team!

7. Find Your Pocket 

What separates you on the court? What are you able to do on the team that nobody else can do like you? Is it being a knock down shooter? Lock up defender? Great screen setter? Know what your biggest strengths are, and do them to your fullest capability. If you aren’t sure, ask your coach – have an open dialogue about your role and what you need to do to earn more playing time. 

8. Stay Patient!

Remain confident that your time will come. Even the best players in the world have come off the bench at some point in their career. Trust the process and don’t allow it to become a negative experience. Try your best to stay patient and play your support role to the best of your ability. Putting the teams success over your own personal glory also shows great maturity and character. 

9. Stay Positive!

Always keep a team first attitude. Although it’s not always easy, emotions like anger and frustration will not help you when you do get to play. You need to be mentally and physically ready when your number is called, which is a lot easier to do with a positive mindset and optimistic attitude. Also, coaches are much more likely to sub in the players on the bench that are engaged and looking eager to play, rather than players who are looking disinterested and not cheering on their team.

10. Stay Ready!

Prepare every day as if you were going to start. Between injuries, match up purposes, game strategy, your name could be called at any moment. It’s up to you to be ready when that moment comes!