Stay By the Stuff - The Importance of Players on the Bench

Stay by the stuff!  So many times, in our quest for being all that we desire, we get disappointed and downtrodden when we don’t get the opportunity we want.  Players constantly strive to be at the forefront in battles their team is engaged in, and many time they forget how important it is to have the support of the whole team.

In I Samuel 30 we find the story of David and his mighty men at their home in Ziklag.  All of their possessions were taken – including their wives & children.  David seeks the Lord and receives His permission to go after them.  They arrive at the brook Besor and find that the enemy has left some of their possessions there, but not all of them.  David continues his pursuit with 400 men, but he leaves 200 men to “stay by the stuff”.  David recovers all of the stolen possessions and families, and upon returning, discovers that some of the men who went into battle do not want to give back the possessions of those who stayed by the stuff.  David swiftly corrects them and declares that “as his part (reward) is that goeth to battle, so shall his part (reward) be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.”

I am drawn to this story because, as a former player who didn’t get a whole lot of playing time in my junior/senior year of high school, I have a soft spot for athletes who sit on the bench for long periods of time or even whole games.  I feel for the players who I know have committed themselves to the team, but just don’t get to play in the game when they really want to.  I have been that player who was told what my role was, and what my role would not be – which was not what I wanted to hear!  There are a couple of lessons that we can take from this scripture in I Samuel for players asked to “stay by the stuff”:

1 – Not all are called to fight in the battles.  In coach speak, not all are called on to play in the game.  It’s a tough pill to swallow, but sometimes God calls you specifically to “stay by the stuff”.  That does not mean He didn’t call you to the team – it simply means He didn’t call you to get into the game.  Now some would argue that it’s the coach who dictates whether a player gets into the game, but I ask you to consider this – if you are a child of God, centered in His will, and if God wanted you to get into the game, then do you really think He would allow a coach to stand in the way of His will being accomplished?  If God’s will was for you to get in the game, then I guarantee He would make a way for it to happen.  Sometimes that is not the case – sometimes He just wants you to “stay by the stuff”.

2 – Not all are able to fight in the battles.  In coach speak, not all have the skills or mental toughness required to play in a game.  This does not mean the player does not want to play, or that they don’t have the heart to play.  It simply means they are not yet ready to play.  In terms of skill set and mental preparation, not all players are equal.  Some are better trained and/or mentally tougher than others on the team.  This is not a criticism of players.  It is simply the fact that all players on the team train at different levels, and are therefore prepared to play at different levels than their other teammates.  There is no doubt in my mind that players with less skill or a weaker mentality have just as much willingness and heart to play late in the game.  They are willing, but they may not be able.

3 – Staying by the stuff is vitally important to the success of the mission.  In coach speak, every member of the team plays an equally important role in a team’s win or loss.  Too many times players and parents question the importance of their athlete to the team based on playing time.  Many times they take it personally when a coach does not get their son or daughter into a game, and many times they judge or condemn a coach because of it.  However, what many of these players & parents do not understand is the importance of each and every team member.  Players who sit on the bench the most are those who are charged with “staying by the stuff”.  While it may not be a glamour role, those who “stay by the stuff” help a team succeed in 5 ways:

A.     They prepare the team for battle.  Have you ever thought about how a team would perform if it only had the minimum amount of players?  Those players would prepare for the game, but they wouldn’t be as prepared as other teams because they would not get the opportunity to practice in a game situation.  Much to the chagrin of parents, an athlete does not prepare to play in a game by playing in a game!  They need practice, and they need to practice in as close to a real game situation as possible – at practice!

B.     They provide energy off the bench through encouragement.  In heavily contested games, many times only 6-8 players will get on the floor.  While you condition to handle 4^th quarters (and beyond if need be), there are many times where players will get tired late – right when you need them most.  It’s tempting for a coach to dip into his bench to rest a player, but that’s not always possible or the right move.  So how does a player, who can’t get a breather late, be able to continue playing when they’ve given all they got?  By receiving encouragement from teammates on the bench!  It’s amazing what team spirit can do to help the team succeed.  Consistent & passionate encouragement from the bench tells players on the floor that they can overcome.  It provides the necessary fuel required to finish the mission!

C.    They are able to play when called upon.  In coach speak; players on the bench understand the plays and their roles if the coach needs to put them in.  One of the important notes of David’s story is that he didn’t leave just anyone to stay with the stuff – he left soldiers!  I’m sure there are some parents who leave a game with the mindset of – “the coach should just have us sit on the bench if he only wants support!”  Or “Why am I showing up if my kid is never going to play?”  A coach does not need parents or friends on his bench during a game, and he doesn’t need an empty bench – he needs his team!  He needs those he can call upon to enter a game late, if warranted, in order to pick up the slack or plug a hole.  These players must be ready at a seconds notice.  There is no time for them to fall asleep during the game – they must stay engaged and be ready to play at all times if their coach calls their number.

D.     They can provide direction to teammates through the lens of a player.  In coach speak, they help a teammate realize when they ran the play wrong, missed an assignment, or got lost on the floor.  Teams that listen, correct, encourage, and hold each other accountable are teams that possess a championship mentality.  They are teams who can overcome great obstacles, and defeat the biggest giants.

E.      They give a coach peace of mind.  In coach speak, when a coach doesn’t have to worry about the attitude of his bench, then he can focus on doing his job and doing it right.  So many times a coach will end up hurting his team because he is trying to prevent a player from getting disgruntled.  It’s a tough battle for all coaches to fight, but those players who accept their roles and put aside selfish attitudes are the ones who help the team reach its greatest potential!

While 6-8 players may get in the game, it requires everyone on the team in order to succeed and reach its God-given destiny.  It’s not always easy to stay by the stuff, but it’s just as important as those who fight the battle.  This does not mean that you should not continue striving to be on the front line.  Players should always strive to become the best they can be.  It’s critical to understand that lack of playing time now does not need to mean you’ll never play.  Sometimes God allows you to go through these circumstances in order to prepare you for something greater.  Don’t quit – press on!  Thomas Edison said “Many of life's failures are experienced by people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”  God’s will for you is perfect.  Don’t short-change God’s GREAT plan for you over something as little as playing time.

Players:  Always strive to be on the front line for your team. 

Parents:  Always encourage your players to strive to be on the front line.  However, understand that sometimes the required role is to “stay by the stuff”.  You may not be called on right now, you might not be able to right now, but staying by the stuff is equally as important, and the rewards the same.  

This story in 1 Samuel ends with all of the possessions being recovered, plus those of the enemy - a remarkable blessing!  Next time you are tasked with “staying by the stuff” - give God praise, and watch how He blesses you!

Striving for Excellence,

Coach CJ

Executive Director – C.H.S.M.

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