Very good points.
As the player, who may show exceptional ability, moves up the ladder and on to the highest level teams....competition becomes stiff. If the team is only carrying 13 or 14 players, most of the the time this player will have an opportunity to get quality minutes on the field. If the team is carrying 17 or 18 players it becomes a little different. It's very difficult for a coach to make wholesale substitutions, and get 6 or 7 substitutes quality minutes, if the coach is primarily focused on winning the game.
The problem often arisies, at the higher level, when the perceived difference between the player getting the playing time, and the player sitting the bench, is extremely marginal. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that's why the coach gets paid the big bucks. Tough decision.
I believe it's also up to the player and parent to figure out when it might be the best time to step down to another team where you can get the playing time you need (or feel you deserve). On the college level it's called transfering, on the club level it is asking for your release at mid-season or sticking it out until the May free agency period. Years ago, especially with girls, it was tougher to get them to leave a team for greener pastures. Most club teams were fairly local and girls played with their friends and classmates. There was a real strong bond and emotional attachment there. Now it seems much easier, at least at the higher levels, especially if the girl really loves the game and wants to succeed, as opposed to just being out there for the social experience.
