SSC PLAYING TIME POLICY

Participation in the Travel Program requires a significant commitment on the part of each player and their parents or guardians.  Teams are formed, and team activities are scheduled, based on the assumption that each player will participate in all team activities, including practices, games, and tournaments, for the entire season for which the player is selected. Consequently, each player is expected to attend all practices, games, and to participate in all tournaments.  While it is recognized that participation in the Travel Program may result in conflicts with other activities of a player and the player’s family, a player’s decision to take part in the Travel Program requires that he or she and his or her parents or guardians make every effort to minimize such conflicts and to attend all team activities.

Subject to the exceptions listed below, any player who demonstrates a commitment to his or her team will be allowed to play at least 50% of each game. Coaches retain the discretion, however, to reduce a player’s playing time based on injuries, disciplinary considerations and the level of a player’s commitment to the team.  “Commitment to the Team” refers to a player’s attendance at team practices, games, and tournaments, and a player’s effort to develop as a player and demonstrate good sportsmanship.  It does not refer to the ability level or performance of a player.  Playing time will not be reduced as long as the player attends 90% (75% in the Spring) or more of the team activities.  Commitment levels below these amounts may reduce playing time to as low as 25%.  Commitment levels below 50% for the Spring or 75% for the Fall will require a discussion between the player, the player’s parents or guardians, the player’s coach, and the Travel Director to determine appropriate disciplinary action.  

Exceptions

1. Playing time in Connecticut Cup games is at the coaches’ discretion and is not subject to the otherwise applicable playing time policy stated above.

2. Playing time in out-of-town tournaments (such as Labor Day, Columbus Day, or any other official sanctioned tournament) may be considered as a whole, and not on a game-by-game basis.  Thus, provided that each player plays at least half of the tournament minutes over the whole weekend, the coach is free to use his or her discretion in allocating playing time in a particular game.

3. In the event that a player regularly displays behavioral issues, a coach is permitted to reduce playing time in order to address those behaviors.  (Behavioral issues that warrant reduced playing time include, but are not limited to, being regularly undisciplined, frequent late arrivals to events,  behavior that is disruptive and other similar actions).

4. The playing time policy is subject to SSC rules regarding dual rostered players. 

Advance communication of the policy set forth above, and its exceptions, is to be made in advance by the head coach to the entire team.  It is understood that no coach should utilize the exceptions listed above unless appropriate.  In the event that exception number three is utilized, communication of same will be made to the player and parents involved.