How to Help Your Athlete Daughter Talk to Coaches About Playing Time

Playing time can be one of the most emotional and confusing parts of sports for athletes and parents alike. You see your daughter working hard, but she’s frustrated when she doesn’t get minutes on the court or field. You want to help, but you’re not sure how to do it without stepping in or making things worse. In this episode, Coach Bre shares practical ways to support your daughter when she’s struggling with playing time, and how to guide her to confidently talk to her coach. You’ll learn: ✅ How to understand your team’s playing time philosophy ✅ How to help your daughter own her role and see her value beyond minutes played ✅ What to do (and not do) when you’re frustrated, too ✅ Step-by-step conversation tips for your daughter to approach her coach ✅ How to reframe tough situations into powerful growth opportunities Your daughter’s worth isn’t measured in minutes. It’s reflected in her effort, her courage to speak up, and her growth through challenges. When she learns how to advocate for herself, she doesn’t just earn more playing time. She earns lasting confidence. Episode Highlights:  [00:00:00] Coach Bre sets the stage: Playing time is one of the most emotional, frustrating topics for parents and athletes alike. [00:03:10] Invitation to join the TrainHerGame.com free training, a gateway to the Elite Mental Game program designed to boost girls’ confidence fast. [00:05:30] Inside look at how Bre’s varsity team sets clear expectations and defines roles to help players feel valued even if they aren’t starters.. [00:09:20] Bre shares her own college story of being a blocking sub. This is proof that limited playing time doesn’t equal limited impact. [00:11:40] Moms, check yourselves. Is it your frustration about playing time, or your daughter’s? Honest self-reflection prevents emotional overreactions. [00:13:50] Encourage self-advocacy! Don’t email the coach yourself. Let your daughter take the lead to build real-world communication skills. [00:15:00] How to prepare for “the talk” with her coach: plan ahead, reflect on strengths and areas to improve, and approach with curiosity, not blame. [00:17:00] Sample conversation starters: “Coach, can you help me understand my role?”, “What can I work on to contribute more?” [00:18:40] Prepare her for tough feedback and remind her to thank the coach for clarity. This is growth in action! [00:20:10] Perspective check: Coaches make decisions for the team, not just one player. Parents can remind their daughters to see the bigger picture. [00:21:00] If the environment doesn’t fit your daughter’s goals, it’s okay to seek a better team next season. Look for one that aligns with her needs. [00:22:00] Wrap-up: These hard conversations build confidence, communication skills, and resilience. Playing time might not change overnight, but her self-belief will. [00:23:00] Final encouragement: Remember, your daughter’s self-worth isn’t measured in minutes on the field but in her courage to keep showing up and speaking up. Next Steps:Join our FREE Training for Sports Moms - How to Strengthen Your Athlete Daughter"s Mental Game so She Believes in Herself as Much as You DoVisit our podcast website for more great episodes Thank you in advance for joining us on our mission and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.