Should young Hockey Players receive equal playing time or fair playing time? Coach Jane™ explains how age, level and development should shape the answer.
U5–U7
Answer: Equal playing time should be the default.
At this age, the priority is participation, confidence, learning, and fun.
Kids need touches, shifts, mistakes, and repetitions.
A six-year-old should not be sitting because the Coach is protecting a one-goal lead in October.
THTR takeaway:
At U5–U7, development requires participation. Equal playing time matters.
U8–U10
Answer: Still very close to equal, with small situational differences.
Players are beginning to develop different abilities, but this is still a major learning stage.
A Coach may shorten a shift because of effort, focus, safety, or a specific game situation, but no Player should consistently become “the kid who barely plays.”
THTR takeaway:
At U8–U10, fair should still look very close to equal.
U11–U14
Answer: Fair playing time becomes more appropriate than perfectly equal playing time.
Now development, effort, role, position, special teams, attendance, and game situations can legitimately matter more.
But one thing should remain clear:
Players need enough meaningful ice time to develop.
A Player cannot improve from the bench.
THTR takeaway:
At U11–U14, playing time can vary, but development opportunity still matters.
U15–U18
Answer: Fair does not necessarily mean equal.
This is where competitive Hockey becomes more performance-based.
Players may have different roles.
Power-play Players may get more ice.
Penalty killers may get specific minutes.
A Coach may shorten the bench late in a close game.
That can be legitimate.
But the Player should understand why.
THTR takeaway:
At U15–U18, unequal ice time can be fair when roles and expectations are clear.
Junior
Answer: Playing time is earned and role-driven.
At Junior, Players are no longer participating under a youth-development expectation of equal shifts.
Coaches are trying to win, develop Players, manage matchups, and prepare athletes for higher levels.
That does not excuse poor communication or permanently burying a Player with no development plan.
But equal playing time is no longer the standard.
THTR takeaway:
At Junior, fairness means clarity, opportunity, and accountability, not equal shifts.
Keep learning with the Coach Jane™ collection.
As always, thank you for being part of The Hockey Resource Community.
AMAZON Hockey https://thehockeyresource.com/hockey-products-amazon/
NEW Tournament Search APP
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hockeyresource.hockeytournamentapp&hl=en_CA&pli=1
GUMROAD – eBooks
https://thehockeyresource.gumroad.com/
SEE My Interview with the Mental Health Academy
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1824112/episodes/13519482
https://thehockeytournamentresource.com/parent-questions-your-answers/
HOW WE REACHED THE HOCKEY ANSWER™
At The Hockey Tournament Resource™, we believe Hockey families, Players, Coaches and Officials deserve more than opinions. They deserve answers supported by research, experience and practical understanding of the game.
Every question begins with something Hockey people genuinely want to know.
OUR RESEARCH PROCESS
- WE FIND REAL QUESTIONS. We investigate what Hockey Players, Parents, Coaches and Officials are asking and searching for.
- WE SEARCH THE WORLD FOR ANSWERS. We examine relevant Hockey knowledge, coaching practices, available research and expert perspectives from around the world.
- WE COMPARE THE EVIDENCE. We look beyond individual opinions, consider different approaches and identify where the strongest available evidence points.
- WE APPLY REAL HOCKEY EXPERIENCE. We consider how the findings apply to actual Hockey situations, including different ages, skill levels and stages of development.
- WE DELIVER A PRACTICAL ANSWER. We explain what our research suggests, why it matters and what Hockey people can do with that information.
We recognize that not every Hockey question has one perfect answer. Age, ability, experience and individual circumstances can change what works best.
Our commitment is to provide thoughtful, practical answers while being clear about what the evidence supports and where uncertainty remains.
REAL CURRENT QUESTIONS. REAL CURRENT RESEARCH. REAL CURRENT ANSWERS.™
SEARCH THE WORLD FOR ANSWERS.™
The Hockey Tournament Resource™
LEARN WHEN IT FITS YOUR LIFE.™
