BuzzerBeater Forums

When I first started training, I learned the lesson of "garbage time"and since then I only play 9 players in a match if I am doing single position training. Trainee playing 48 minutes, the other 4 positions covered by a starter and a backup. This has always worked in ensuring my player got exactly 48 minutes unless injured.

In my latest league game however, my trainee was substituted off twice, and lost 2 minutes. Luckily as an 18 year old, this will not affect this weeks training, but I am confused as to why this happened. There was not even a garbage time note in the game.

The game is linked below, and here are the time references for when my trainee (Zhidkikh ) with no backup and no reserve was subbed off:

(https://www.buzzerbeater.com/match/135388817/boxscore.aspx)

4 6:11 96 - 119 Substitution at C: S. Huisong (H) for D. Zhidkikh (H).
4 5:55 96 - 119 Substitution at C: D. Zhidkikh (H) for F. Kuanhai (H).
4 2:13 107 - 129 Substitution at C: K. Stanton (H) for D. Zhidkikh (H).

Interesting, I assume that you had the "Follow Depth Chart" option active for this match. Also, did you leave the backup and reserve positions for your Center blank, or did you have Zhidkikh assigned to all three?

I have also sometimes had the case that even when done everything right, the manager substitutes younger players off for a short time in a game. I have had the feeling that the GE recognizes that they need less minutes for training ans thus get some minutes off of them on purpose. But for me it has only happened irregularly a couple of times, so I do not know what the real explanation for this situation could be.

Yes, had follow depth chart selected for the match. I left the reserve and backup for my trainee blank, like I have done so for the past 4 seasons while training.

My last batch of trainees started at 19 years of age, so could this be something particular to 18yo's? All 3 of my trainees are 18 this season

I've seen that sort of behavior in blowouts when the trainee is 18 or 19, especially if they have low stamina, though typically on higher margins than that. It doesn't tend to happen in close games or games you're losing.

Leave the starter position blank and list your trainee as reserve and backup.
Hasn’t failed me since I’ve been playing.

Leave the starter position blank and list your trainee as reserve and backup.
Hasn’t failed me since I’ve been playing.

Thanks, I'll give this method a try

I don't know if the Game Engine is different for pickup games, but I tested the blank starter and filled backup and reserve (in my PU game with you) with a player (simulating training) and that player only got 44 minutes (edit: Oh, he fouled out).

I will try filling in starter+backup+reserve slots with my trainee in todays cup game

Last edited by Elnoth at 7/17/2025 3:37:51 AM