My child hasn't been told this in exactly the same words, but seeing her level of play, I KNOW she is holding back and in our case,the coach is just plain stupid. She has know idea how to bring the best out in any player,therefore, she holds my child back to make all the players look equal. I have talked to my child and told her regardless of playing time,give it ALL you have every second you're on the floor and if you get benched then anyone with any sense of the game will know the coach is lacking something!