Our son was a late arrival to the sport of football and to the team he is now playing on. Even though he has the skills to play on the “A” team all the time, occasionally he is asked to suit up for the “B” team.

While some players and parents might scoff at this, we, and when I say that I mean our son included, have taken the approach that occasionally playing on the “B” team is OK.

By doing so, it sends a message to our son that sometimes you are asked to do things that you might not want to do. But in the best interest of the team, you need to step up and comply to the request.

To us parents, it’s a reminder that even though our son “belongs” on the “A” team fulltime, when he is asked to support the other team, we must support the request to reinforce the message sent to him.

In the latest situation, playing on the “B” team meant getting up to drive to a tournament two hours earlier than we would have had to for the “A” game, as well as getting home an hour later. And trust me, it was the last thing any of us wanted to do.

In the end, it was a win-win for everyone. Our son had one of his best games yet — yes it was at the “B” level, but for his confidence that didn’t matter — and when he walked off the field after the second game, his first words were, “I’ll play for this team anytime.”

Lesson learned. Message sent and received. Everyone is better for it, including his “A” teammates. They now realize someday it might be their turn to contribute to the “B” team, and when it is, the best thing to do is just go play ball.

Jon Buzby has been involved in and writing about youth sports for the past 30 years, originally as a coach and board member with his now-adult son and most recently "just as a dad" with his 9- and 11-year-old sons. Jon is an award-winning writer and his latest book, “Coaching Kids Made Easier,” is available on Amazon. Send comments or future blog topics you'd like to see to JonBuzby@hotmail.com and follow him @YouthSportsBuzz on Twitter