MVBC Club Team Playing time Philosophy

Playing Time Philosophy
Our club is committed to providing a positive, competitive, and developmentally appropriate volleyball experience for all athletes. Playing time expectations vary by team level and are outlined below to ensure clarity and transparency.

National-Level Teams
Primary Focus: Competitive excellence and performance

• Playing time is not guaranteed.
• Court time is earned and determined by the coaching staff based on:
  • Skill level and position needs
  • Practice performance and preparedness
  • Matchups and game situations
• During tournament play, particularly in bracket and elimination matches, coaches will prioritize lineups that provide the best opportunity for team success.
• Playing time may vary significantly from match to match and tournament to tournament.
• Athletes on National teams are expected to understand and accept that:
  • Some weekends may result in limited court time
  • Competitive decisions are made in the best interest of the team

Purpose: To prepare athletes for high-level competition and future advancement.

Developmental-Level Teams
Primary Focus: Athlete growth, learning, and confidence building

• Playing time is expected to be more balanced across the roster.
• Coaches will make a strong effort to:
  • Rotate athletes
  • Provide meaningful in-game experience
  • Develop skills through live competition
• While competitiveness is considered, development takes priority over match outcomes.
• Playing time may still vary by set or match, but overall participation is emphasized.

Purpose: To support skill development, game understanding, and long-term athlete growth.

Substitutions & Tournament Play
Volleyball substitutions are governed by strict rules, particularly in tournament play. These rules
can significantly impact playing time and lineup decisions.

• Teams are limited to a set number of substitutions per set.
• A player may only substitute for the same player within a rotation.
• Coaches cannot freely substitute for multiple athletes as in many other sports.
• Once substitutions are used, lineup flexibility is reduced.

As a result, substitution decisions depend on:

• Where the team is in the rotation
• The score and momentum of the set
• The specific situation (serve receive, offense, defense)
• The number of substitutions remaining
• Match and tournament context

Because of these factors, the same athlete may be:

• On the court in one situation
• Off the court in another
• Unable to re-enter later in the set due to substitution limits

This is often referred to as “the art of subbing”—a strategic process that requires coaches to plan ahead while also responding to real-time game situations. Unlike some other sports, volleyball does not allow unlimited substitutions, and decisions are 
not solely based on effort or fairness in a single moment, but on overall team strategy and rules compliance.

Tournament Play Considerations
Tournament environments naturally increase competitive intensity. As a result:

• Playing time decisions may differ between pool play and bracket play
• Late-day or elimination matches may result in more limited rotations
• Substitution constraints may further limit opportunities for in-match changes
• Coaches retain discretion to adjust lineups based on match demands

Summary

• National Teams: Playing time is earned and situational
• Developmental Teams: Playing time is more consistent and shared
• Substitution rules limit flexibility and impact who can be on the court and when
• All decisions are made with athlete development and team success in mind