Throughout the football season, there are many changes that happen on a team. From formations to player rotations, coaches are constantly looking for the best solutions that will bring the most success. Coaches may discover that their planned player rotations or other personnel arrangements need adjustments to make the team even better.

These adjustments and switching positions happen often, and many times, it is just what a player needs to succeed.

 “There's a popular phrase in coaching, ‘It’s not about the X’s and O’s, but the Jimmy’s and Joe’s,” said Mike Ridings, USA Football camp director and Marian (Indiana) University assistant coach. “A coach’s job is to get the right “Jimmy’s and Joe’s” in the best position to compete. As a player, if your coach is moving you to a different position, it is to help the team and because they believe that you might fit in that position better than another. They are looking to put you in the best position possible to succeed.”

Moving positions is a big transition. “If a coach is moving you from one position to another, it shows that the coach believes you can help the team, or he wouldn't be making that move,” Ridings said. “The sooner you as a player buy into this transition, the sooner you will excel. Sometimes you might not understand the move, but put your trust in the coach that he has a purpose.”

Ridings’ biggest advice to players who move positions is to dig in and get to work on learning the new techniques and terminology. Be eager to learn and ask questions.

When it comes to losing a starting role, it is best not to get discouraged. You might not have been playing to the best of your ability and your coach now has decided to move you to a backup role. “How you respond to this will tell the coach all he needs to know,” Ridings said. “If you stop working once you become a backup, you have told him everything he needs to know. However, if you work with motivation to take back the job, who knows what will happen?”

Ridings recommends if you lose your starting spot to ask the coach, “What do I need to do to get back that spot?”

“Take what he gives you to work on and be resilient in earning your starting position back because nothing is given,” Ridings said.