Generally, when the word “bench player” enters into a conversation, some may consider the position a demotion.
People often tend to make fun of the bench players and almost never take them seriously. When people think of a bench player, they think of a secondary player — someone who is inferior compared to the starters and therefore is easily replaceable. Little do they know that these people sitting at the sidelines of games play an equally important role on the team than the people who are starting the game.
Basketball head coach Sam Manu emphasizes the importance of the bench players to the team and recognizes their effect on the game at hand. “The most important thing about a bench player is coming into the game and filling into any aspects that are missing in the game,” says Manu. “It really depends on the points and the type of game situation that we are in. It can be not playing enough defense, not getting enough rebounds, not playing aggressive enough.”
In regards to the role that bench players serve on the team, Manu says, “A deeper bench equals a stronger team, because not every player can play well in every single game. Even the best players can have their off days.
However, it is up to the bench players who have the important role of fulfilling the role that is not being filled in the game and contributing to the team.”
Football head coach Steve Sell explains how the bench players can make a difference in a deciding game. “[In] several [of the] games throughout my career, the heroes of the game are usually [the] unexpected [ones],” says Sell, “Sometimes, the deciding factor in these ‘down-to-the-wire’ games is about which team has the least amount of drop offs from their bench.”
Sell elaborates on how bench players must always be physically and mentally prepared to come in at a game. “Bench players must be ready at the drop of the hat,” says Sell. “In football, especially, athletes are more prone to injuries than in any other sport. When you have 11 players on the field, there are occasions where students leave for a variety of reasons; one of the main reason is injuries. It is very essential for a team to have a bench that is ready at all times and when called, must play like the starters they are filling in for.”
Junior Michael Lanthier, who started as a midfielder for the varsity soccer team, elaborates on the importance of bench players — especially pertaining to soccer — saying, “In soccer, there is a lot of running involved on the field. We have to run end to end, front and back, side to side. These bench players can come into the game with fresh legs, refresh the game, and keep the game at a same speed or pace.”
Junior football player Aris Recidoro, a backup wide receiver for the varsity football team, says, “We, bench players, must know the exact same plays as the starters, and when the coach talks to the starters about plays, we are expected to know those too. Even though there are occasions where we do not get a chance to play, we try to make our presence known by bringing [up] the morale and keeping our heads up high throughout the game.”
Starting sophomore offensive lineman on the varsity football team Tomislav Medan explains the depth of the bench players on the team. “The bench players bring an element of depth and surprise to the game; in some ways, they are our secret or extra weapons on our team,” he says. “When we are fatigued from the game, these bench players can come in and play as a working man-force on the field, a result of the hard work and discipline that comes into our daily practices.”
Starting senior quarterback Billy Mason adds, “Our bench offers great advice [on] defense, and motivates and pumps us up in the middle of games.”
Shifting from his role as a starter on the junior varsity team to a bench player on the varsity team, sophomore water polo player Mikey Collins describes how his playing styles change due to this shift. “As a starter, I do not know what to expect from our opponents at the beginning of games,” he says. “We would have to adapt as the game progresses. However, as a bench player, I have time to watch the other team and analyze specific details about their playing styles, such as their best throwers, best swimmers and best defenders.”
Even though these players do not necessarily begin the game, they play an equally important role as that of the other players. Without them, a team would not be able to succeed. Even if their role is simply giving a starter some rest, their presence is known both on and off the playing field.
