How to deal with being on the bench

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In football being on the bench can be frustrating as the urge to be on the pitch never goes away even after those 90 minutes of a match. As a footballer, it feels degrading to be on the bench knowing it is for tactical or performance reasons as all you want to do is to run around on that pitch. However, being on the bench is also for players to reflect on themselves, analyse the match from the side and review their own previous performances. Sometimes it is ok to take a step back onto the bench to refocus.

Some of the main reasons why players are placed on the bench can be due to fitness concerns - this could be your own fault or something beyond your control. Therefore it is essential to maintain a perfect fitness regime in order to not cause yourself little niggling injuries that could force you onto the side.

However, there are cases where the injuries are caused by external factors and for that reason, being on the bench (if the injury is not too serious) will be the best option. You can be half-fit and produce decent performances but they will not be consistent and can result in you returning to the bench in the near future. Thus, it would be better for players to result on the bench early on to rest and recuperate in order for them to be 100% on the pitch to produce consistently good performances for the team. This way will definitely avoid the disappointment of being stuck on the bench in a vicious cycle.

The other main reason for being cast to the bench is your performance. If you have established yourself as an important player or don't produce great performances week in and week out, it is always possible to end up on the bench. In football, no player is bigger than the manager or club. Of course, if a player produces only one bad game, there may be leniency for the next game where they must recover and produce. Otherwise, a consistent run of bad games will lead to consistent games on the bench.

Footballers feel this pressure and they use the pressure to thrive and not overthink every detail. You cannot force a good performance out. That can cause the team problems as you are too busy focussing on your own performances and ignoring the team. That's how players end up becoming bench warmers.

To deal with this it is best to relax and analyse the game from the sides. Think of 'what can you do to improve the team's performance?' rather than only thinking about your own personal performance. Resort to the basics of the game when given another chance, don't force a good performance.

It's always good to remember that feeling of being stuck on the bench and the disappointment and agonies. That way you can ensure that you never feel that way again by always learning, being composed and playing well in order for the team to succeed and not just yourself.