{"id":16056,"date":"2023-11-09T19:51:32","date_gmt":"2023-11-10T00:51:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/?p=16056"},"modified":"2025-06-03T08:01:40","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T12:01:40","slug":"how-to-respond-after-being-benched","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-respond-after-being-benched\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Respond After Being Benched"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/being-benched.png\" alt=\"How to Respond After Being Benched\" class=\"wp-image-16057\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/being-benched.png 600w, https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/being-benched-300x150.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Athletes_Want_to_Compete_Play_or_Start\"><\/span>Athletes Want to Compete, Play, or Start<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Article Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0769bf;color:#0769bf\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0769bf;color:#0769bf\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-respond-after-being-benched\/#Athletes_Want_to_Compete_Play_or_Start\" >Athletes Want to Compete, Play, or Start<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-respond-after-being-benched\/#You_can_take_several_positive_actions_to_improve_your_situation\" >You can take several positive actions to improve your situation:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-respond-after-being-benched\/#Related_Sports_Psychology_Articles\" >Related Sports Psychology Articles<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-respond-after-being-benched\/#The_Composed_Athlete\" >The Composed Athlete<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>But what happens when the athlete is benched or replaced in the starting lineup?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your <strong>attitude<\/strong> towards the situation will impact your response, motivation, and the message you send to your team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you act out or talk poorly about your coach, you will cause tension within the team. Your effort will be lacking during practices as you think, &#8220;Why should I push myself in practice if I&#8217;m not going to get much playing time?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This negative response worsens your situation and hurts you and your team. The key is to maintain a positive attitude and respond constructively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you maintain a <strong>positive attitude<\/strong>, you will be motivated to work harder and smarter in practice. In addition, your positive attitude will demonstrate that you are a team player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having a team-first mentality will influence how your coach views you and, most likely, improve your situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How can you respond positively after being benched or your playing minutes reduced?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"You_can_take_several_positive_actions_to_improve_your_situation\"><\/span>You can take several positive actions to improve your situation:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Take control of the situation by asking yourself, &#8220;What can I do differently to earn increased playing time. Instead of blaming the coach, ask your coach, &#8220;What can I do to help the team succeed?&#8221; This positive response will give you specific feedback to improve your game and show your coach you are a team-first athlete.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Once you understand how to move forward, it&#8217;s time to get to work. Prove yourself to be a leader by having a positive attitude in practice, a strong work ethic, and being supportive of your teammates. If you need a boost, use your circumstances to motivate your efforts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stay mentally engaged whether you are in practice, in a game, or on the bench. If you are on the sidelines, watch your teammates and analyze game situations. There is always an opportunity to learn and gain a deeper understanding of the game.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has performed at a high level during his seven years in the NFL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After being benched in the closing minutes of an early season game, Smith-Schuster chose to stay positive rather than becoming a team distraction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even during his stint on the sidelines, Smith-Schuster remained optimistic, confident in his abilities, and committed to being a team player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>SMITH-SCHUSTER<\/strong>:\u00a0<em>&#8220;I&#8217;m not frustrated at all. I&#8217;ve been in this league way too long. When the time is called, the opportunity is called for me, I&#8217;ll be ready.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Being benched or losing playing time can be frustrating, but it can also motivate you to kick your performance up a notch. Within every situation is an opportunity to become a better and mentally tougher player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The number of minutes you play is not fully under your control, but you have complete control over your attitude, work ethic, and demeanor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When your playing minutes are reduced, identify what you can control&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>List three ways to improve your game, contribute to the team, and sharpen your mental skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maintain a strong focus on these three aspects. In addition, remind yourself that within adversity lies opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And always be mentally and physically ready when your number is called so you can perform well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"block-979ef383-5bc7-43ee-b8f9-249663ca1a6c\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Related_Sports_Psychology_Articles\"><\/span>Related Sports Psychology Articles<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul id=\"block-05642731-8752-4dbf-9c18-5cc4d276e821\" class=\"wp-block-list has-normal-font-size\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-athletes-can-cope-with-getting-benched\/\">How Athletes Can Cope With Getting Benched<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-be-an-impact-player-from-the-bench\/\">How to be an Impact Player from the Bench<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/quarterback-jalen-hurts-ready-to-compete-even-on-the-bench\/\">Quarterback Jalen Hurts Ready to Compete, Even on the Bench<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\" id=\"block-5726d13f-f715-4ca4-8813-2f8a9ebd8bc3\">*Subscribe to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/sports-psychology-podcast-by-peaksports-com\/id152566009\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Sports Psychology Podcast<\/a>&nbsp;on iTunes<br>*Subscribe to <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0ynyaalKxbnNmsoeL8gF5X?si=8224669de9b3435b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Sports Psychology Podcast<\/a> on Spotify<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\" id=\"block-281f5afb-980b-4c71-9aa0-11d606b5f7c9\"><strong>Download a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/mental-toughness-report-athletes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">free sports psychology report<\/a>&nbsp;to improve your mental game!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\" id=\"block-94138e75-d591-4645-bb1d-212cf57a8841\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sport-psychology-training-athletes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn more about our one-on-one mental game coaching.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Composed_Athlete\"><\/span>The Composed Athlete <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/composed-athlete-small.jpg\" alt=\"The Composed Athlete Workbook &amp; Audio\" class=\"wp-image-19327\" style=\"width:158px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Composed Athlete\u201d is presented on<strong> 80-minute Audio Programs<\/strong> with a <strong>70-page step-by-step workbook<\/strong> that guides you through the program each day. It\u2019s a complete system for conditioning your mind to have <strong>maximum composure in competitio<\/strong>n.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c<strong>The Composed Athlete<\/strong>\u201d was developed for <strong>any level coach, parent, or junior to professional athlete<\/strong> who wants to improve performance and gain a competitive edge. It does not matter if you are a fledgling junior athlete; or a seasoned professional, plagued with distractions; or you just wanting to learn how to improve your composure\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-8fee86ee\">\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-df6f9eb5 gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/the-composed-athlete-cd-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GET DETAILS<\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-9e238db0 gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.peaksports.com\/collections\/the-confident-athlete-series-digital-download\/products\/the-composed-athlete-digital\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BUY NOW<\/a>\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Athletes Want to Compete, Play, or Start But what happens when the athlete is benched or replaced in the starting lineup? Your attitude towards the situation will impact your response, motivation, and the message you send to your team. If you act out or talk poorly about your coach, you will cause tension within the team. Your effort &#8230; <a title=\"How to Respond After Being Benched\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-respond-after-being-benched\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about How to Respond After Being Benched\">Sport Psychology Article&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16058,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[142],"tags":[324,250],"class_list":["post-16056","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports-psychology-tips","tag-focus-in-sports","tag-sports-psychology"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO Pro 4.9.5.2 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Maintain a strong focus on these three aspects. 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