The Importance of Being Idle: A Look at the Rotation Policy

It seems like a good/bad idea.

It gives everyone a chance to play/doesn't give players a chance to settle in.

It keeps all the players happy/angers players who have been performing well but find themselves kept out of the team due to the policy.

It is the rotation policy, and it is one of the most opinion polarising policies in coaching today.

The rotation policy is a method of team selection where the starting 11 are switched up from game to game. Rotation policies differ from manager to manager. Some switch players regardless of form, some bring into consideration which players would have the most impact against a certain opponent, and some are chosen based on fitness.

The biggest difference between rotation policies however, is how successful they are. The most ardent advocate of the rotation policy is Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez. In my opinion, the rotation policy at Liverpool was a complete failure.

Some people point to Liverpool's European success as vindication of Rafa's rotation but I credit Liverpool's Champions League record more towards Benitez's ability to dissect an opponent and find their weakness more than his commitment to keeping players fresh by rotating them.

Liverpool's recent success has only come after Benitez has toned down his rotation policy a bit and has gradually begun fielding players based on form.

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