Playtime: Quality over Quantity

It's easy to fall into the mindset that more minutes on the court or field equals better performance. Players often think, “If I’m playing more, I must be improving.” Parents, too, may measure their child’s development or future opportunities by how much time they’re getting during games.

But here’s the question: Is playtime really the best indicator of success? Could it be that our obsession with how much someone plays actually distracts us from the more important metric—how well they play?

In today’s episode, we’ll break down why we seem so focused on playtime, how this mindset can be deceiving, and why it’s crucial to shift our thinking from the number of minutes played to the quality of those minutes. We’ll explore the perspectives of athletes, parents, and coaches—especially at the higher levels of competition—discuss the challenges and pressures they face, and then dive into tips and strategies to help make this mindset shift.

Transcript

Speaker: 0:01

I'm Dr. Nassim Ebrahimi, and welcome to Becoming My Stronger Me, a podcast designed to help you become stronger in mind, body, and heart. In season two, the mental performance series, we'll explore the intricate relationship between mental performance, sports excellence, leadership, and personal growth to help you become your stronger you. Today we're tackling a topic that's especially relevant to athletes, coaches, and parents. Playtime. Or more specifically, how many minutes are played in competition? If you've been involved in sports, either as a player, a coach, or a parent, you know that playtime is often seen as the ultimate marker of success. It's easy to fall into the mindset that more minutes on the court or the field equals better performance. Players often think if I'm playing more, I must be improving. Parents too may measure their child's development or future opportunities by how much time they're getting during games. But here's the question: Is play time really the best indicator of success? Could it be that our obsession with how much someone plays actually distracts us from the more important metric? How well did they play? In today's episode, we'll break down why we seem to be so focused on playtime, how this mindset can be deceiving, and why is it crucial to shift our thinking from the quantity of minutes played to the quality of those minutes. We'll explore the perspectives of athletes, parents, and coaches, especially at those higher levels of competition. We'll discuss the challenges and pressures they face and then dive into tips and strategies to help make this mindset shift. Let's start by looking at the mindset of players and parents. For many athletes, playtime is seen as validation. If you're out there on the field or court, it means your coach believes in you. You've put in the hard work and practice, and now you're being rewarded. The more minutes you get, the more you feel like you're progressing. Parents often feel this too. Many see playtime as a tangible sign that their child is on the right track. More minutes means more exposure, more opportunities to develop, and potentially better chances for scholarships or higher levels of play down the line. So when a player isn't getting much playtime, the natural reaction might be frustration, confusion, or even disappointment. What you might hear are things like, why isn't my child playing more? What are they doing wrong? Or worse, what's wrong with the coach? But here's the thing: at higher levels of competition, playtime isn't a simple equation. Coaches, especially in competitive leagues, high school varsity teams, college sports, or professional levels, face a ton of pressures and challenges when it comes to how they distribute minutes. They're balancing strategy, team dynamics, and sometimes even managing the emotional well-being of their athletes. Let's think about it from a coach's perspective. Every game requires different tactics. There may be times when a player who is highly skilled in one area doesn't get a lot of time simply because the game plan calls for something different. For example, a coach might need a stronger defensive presence in a particular game. Or maybe they need someone who excels in specific situations like free throws or penalty kicks. It's not always about who's the quote unquote best, but who fits the situation at that moment. Now, here's where the trap comes in when we equate more playtime with success. The reality is that playtime as a metric can be very deceiving. You could be on the field or court for 30 minutes and contribute very little, or you could play for just five minutes and make a game-changing impact. It's not just about how many minutes you get, but what you do with those minutes. Research in sports psychology shows that athletes who focus on specific task-oriented goals, like executing a certain skill well or fulfilling a key role during their time in the game, perform better and feel more satisfied, even if their playtime is limited. This shift from quantity to quality allows athletes to focus on things they can control, like their attitude, their effort, and specific contributions to the team. Take basketball as an example. A player could come off the bench for just six minutes, but grab three key rebounds, block a shot, and provide that spark of energy the team needs to shift the momentum. The stat sheet might not show a lot of points, but the player's contribution was crucial. On the flip side, another player might log 25 minutes, but play passively with little to show for the time spent on the court. So what happens when we shift our mindset from focusing on how much time we're playing to how well we're playing during that time? First, it relieves some of the pressure athletes feel to consistently and constantly prove themselves through minutes alone. Instead, athletes can hone in on their role, their purpose, and the specific skills they need to bring to the table. When players focus on the quality of their minutes, they experience greater mental clarity. Instead of worrying about whether the coach will pull them out, they can concentrate on executing their role to the best of their ability. This often leads to improved performance because the player isn't distracted by concerns about the clock. They're in the moment, playing their best. And coaches, they notice this too. Coaches pay attention to players who make the most of the time they're given, whether it's five minutes or 35 minutes. They're not just watching the number of minutes, they're watching impact. Athletes who bring consistent energy and intensity and make smart plays and contribute to the team's goals stand out no matter how much time they're given. So, how can athletes stop obsessing over playtime and start focusing on the quality of play? Here are a few strategies to help. Number one, set process-oriented goals. Instead of making your goal to play 30 minutes, try setting goals around how you'll play. For example, you might focus on playing strong defense, making smart passes, or being vocal with your teammates. These are all things you can control, regardless of how long you're on the field or the court. By focusing on these specific tasks, you can feel proud of your contributions no matter how many minutes you play. Two, embrace your role. Every player on the team has a role, and those roles can change from game to game. It's easy to get caught up in thinking that you need more minutes to be important. But in reality, it's how well you execute your role that matters. Whether your role is to come in and provide energy off the bench or be a defensive specialist, mastering that role can have a huge impact. Number three, control the controllables. You can't always control how many minutes you get, but you can control your effort, your attitude, and your focus. Bring your best energy to every minute and trust that those actions will eventually lead to more opportunities. Coaches notice effort, hustle, and positive attitude more than they notice time on the clock. Four, get feedback and improve. If you're struggling with limited playtime, instead of getting frustrated, use it as an opportunity to seek feedback. Ask your coach what you can do to earn more minutes. But also be open to hearing what areas you need to improve on. Coaches appreciate players who are proactive in their development and are willing to put in the work to grow. Again, it's not how long you play, it's how well you play. And that's the mindset shift that I want to encourage you to make. Focusing on quality over quantity will not only improve your game, but will also help you feel more confident, less stressed, and more in control of your journey as an athlete. While playtime is often seen as a major marker of success, it's not always the most accurate one. By shifting your focus to the quality of your minutes, how well you perform in the time you're given, you can improve your mindset, boost your performance, and ultimately enjoy the game more. This shift in perspective can make you a better, more resilient athlete who is prepared for the long journey ahead, not just the short moments of validation. Thank you for joining me on this episode of the Becoming My Stronger Me podcast. If today's conversation resonated with you, share it with a teammate, a coach, or a parent who might be struggling with the pressure of playtime. And remember, the real progress comes from how well you use your minutes, not how many minutes you get. Until next time, keep striving, keep growing, and keep becoming your stronger you. Until next time, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast, join our Facebook group, send in your stories and feedback. And if you're looking for a mental performance coach or want more information, go to www.becoming my strongerme.com. I can't wait to hear from you.