One of the things that a lot of youth coaches struggle with is managing substitutions.

It's a struggle because you need at least one or two players on the court that can handle the ball. But you still need to make sure that all of the other kids are getting close to the same amount of playing time.

At least that's what you should be doing if you want to make sure that every player stays engaged and improves throughout the season.

It can also help you keep parents happy and the season enjoyable for everybody!.

Here's how you can approach this dilemma with an 8-player roster...

One, you can completely map out your substitutions schedule and stick to it, maybe until the final four minutes of the game. Create a substitution spreadsheet and have your assistant coach, a parent, or even an older child can handle all of the rotations. That way you can focus on what you do best- managing the game.

Two, you can use a simple numbering system.

In the event of an 8-player roster it would be numbers one through eight.

Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 would all start.

And you'll assign these numbers before the game, making sure that your two best players are at the 1 and 5 position. This way at least one of them will be on the floor more times than not.

This is what you do when you make your next substitution.

So, if players 6, 7, and 8 are on the bench...they go in for players 1,2, and 3.

Now it's 4, 5,6, 7, and 8 on the basketball court, while players 1,2, and 3 are on the bench.

Make sense?

Good!

As you can see it's pretty simple to keep track of...cause you just always go up to the next three numbers to take out.

For example, if 3, 4, 5 are on the bench..then the next numbers you take out are 6, 7, 8.

And so on and so forth.

And then you can even set up however you want it.

Maybe in the fourth quarter, you just kind of go based on your gut. Personally, with 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders, I just continue with the substitution pattern to get equal playing time.

Hope you found this helpful!

Helpful Resource: The Complete Youth Coaching System with Jim Huber

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