Whenever you see an interview with a backup QB, the answer to any questions about their preparation for each week is inevitably answered with this theme..."I practice as if I am the starter and will be ready whenever my team needs me".
Can you really practice as if you are a starter? You won't get the reps that the starter gets nor will you have the opportunity to practice with the team in the same capacity. For the most part, it is a stock answer to a predictable interview question and it represents the statement that people want to hear.
Nobody dreams about being a backup.
Part of waiting for your turn is saying the right stuff. For some, it's going through the motions. For others, it's a time of education and preparation. Anyone that is sitting in the #2 position wants to be #1. Biding your time, being respectful, learning what to say and how to say it is necessary. Arguably, saying the right things is as necessary as having the talent to perform the job.
People can be immediately placed in the starting role and given a list of expectations. It is assumed, since this person is a "winner", they are going to be able to step right in and lead everyone to the promise land. A lot rests on their shoulders and sometimes it's a perfect fit. Sometimes it's not. Sometimes they fail. Not because they are overrated. Maybe it's just timing.
4 U.S. Presidents lost their first bid for President.
Mickey Mantle was brought up from the minors, hit a slump, got overwhelmed by pressure and was sent back to the minors. He almost quit baseball. 40 games later, he was brought back up and the rest is history. Mickey Mantle had a .298 lifetime batting average, hit 536 HRs and is member of the hall of fame.
Bands, after years of playing frat parties, dive bars and street corners suddenly become an "overnight success". When they are selling millions and topping the charts, we quickly forget that these guys were once considered to be talentless losers.
Timing can be everything.
It takes time to become the person you are destined to be. Even if you possess the ability to lead people now, you might have to wait your turn. Some people get the opportunity to lead and fail. Sometimes you don't fail, but your timing wasn't right and you end up working towards a second chance (or quitting).
Playing the part of the backup or taking a step back gives you time to see the mistakes of others and provides you a better grasp of the overall playing field. Use that time to gain knowledge and reflect on what you are seeing. This will help slow down the game and allow you to be more successful than someone who was just blindly thrown into the position.
