Maximize Your Soccer Playing Time: Proven Strategies to Get on the Field More

Let’s be honest: every player on the bench shares the same burning question—how do I get more minutes? I’ve been there, pacing the sideline, watching the clock, feeling that mix of frustration and determination. Over years of playing, coaching, and analyzing the game, I’ve come to realize that earning playing time isn’t just about talent; it’s a calculated strategy. It’s about making yourself undeniable. Take a performance like Mike Sampurna’s recent stat line for Taguig: 10 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists. On paper, it’s a solid, all-around contribution to a win. But I’d argue the real story isn’t in the points; it’s in the 14 rebounds and 6 assists. That’s the kind of line that screams reliability and unselfishness, two traits coaches absolutely cherish. It tells me he impacted the game in multiple ways without needing to be the primary scorer. That is a blueprint for earning trust, and trust is the currency that buys playing time.

So, how do you build that trust? It starts long before the opening whistle. I’m a firm believer that practice performance is the single biggest factor. Coaches notice everything. Are you the first one on the field and the last to leave? Do you drill with game-like intensity, or are you just going through the motions? I remember a coach once told me, “I don’t pick my game-day lineup on Friday; I pick it every day at practice.” He was right. Your consistency in training directly translates to the coach’s confidence in you. It’s not about one spectacular scrimmage; it’s about being a dependable, high-effort player every single session. This extends to your physical conditioning. Can you maintain your speed and decision-making in the 85th minute or the fourth quarter? If the coach knows you won’t be a defensive liability when fatigued, you become a more versatile option. I’d estimate that nearly 70% of playing time decisions are subconsciously made during the week’s training, based on who the coach believes is physically and mentally prepared.

Once you’re on the field, the calculus changes. Now you have to maximize every second. This is where understanding your role becomes non-negotiable. The quickest way to find yourself back on the bench is to try to do too much or play outside the team’s system. Look back at Sampurna’s 6 assists. That number suggests he was a facilitator, reading the defense and creating for others. He played his role to perfection. My advice? Master one or two things that the team desperately needs. Are you the lockdown defender who shuts down the opponent’s best player? The relentless presser who forces turnovers? The player who always makes the simple, possession-saving pass? Identify that niche and own it. Coaches don’t need eleven stars; they need eleven players who execute specific functions reliably. I’d much rather have a player who completes 95% of their simple passes and makes intelligent runs than a flashy player who loses the ball 30% of the time trying the extraordinary.

Beyond pure skill, there’s an intangible element: soccer IQ and communication. This is what separates good players from trusted players. Are you constantly aware of the game state—knowing when to press, when to drop, when to slow the play, or when to quicken it? Do you communicate clearly, organizing those around you? A vocal, organizing player is like an on-field extension of the coach. They make everyone else’s job easier, and that value is immense. Furthermore, study the game. Watch film of your team and your opponents. Understand tactical patterns. When you can anticipate what happens next, you play faster and smarter. I think this aspect is often underdeveloped in younger players, but it’s a massive shortcut to earning respect and, consequently, minutes.

Finally, we have to address the mental game. Your attitude on and off the pitch is constantly being evaluated. How do you react to a mistake? Do you drop your head, or do you immediately work to win the ball back? How do you support teammates from the bench? Are you engaged, or are you sulking? Coaches build squads, not just teams, and they need players who strengthen the group’s morale. When you get your opportunity, even if it’s just ten minutes, treat it as your most important ten minutes. Chase every lost cause, fight for every 50/50 ball. Show a level of hunger that is impossible to ignore. That kind of energy is contagious and often forces the coach’s hand for the next game.

In the end, securing more playing time is a holistic endeavor. It’s the daily grind in practice, the intelligent execution of a defined role, the development of your tactical mind, and the unwavering positivity of your attitude. Performances like Mike Sampurna’s—balanced, effort-driven, and team-oriented—are not accidents. They are the result of a player understanding what winning teams truly need. It’s not always the most gifted player who gets the most minutes; it’s the most indispensable one. So, shift your focus from just scoring goals to becoming the player your coach cannot afford to take off the field. Make your value so obvious that the decision becomes easy for them. That’s the proven strategy.