Each coach has a different method or criteria for choosing team Captains. Most feel the team leaders should be the best players. Others feel it should be the most experienced or oldest players (upper-classmen or Seniors).
Although both of these are probably valid reasons to select team Captains, I think a team leader is one who understands the long-term vision the team has for success and works to make that vision a reality. I think it requires a level of maturity that goes beyond that of just being a player... it requires accepting responsibility for success or failure. A leader can't be a leader in title only, they must take ownership of the team and play an active role in delivering the team to it's intended destination.
With the loss of four upper-classmen from last seasons roster (two of which were team Captains), our team enters into the 2009-10 season with only one Senior and a relatively young team. Who will step up into the role of being the team leader?
Being a leader is much more than just holding a title. It's a privilege, challenge, and a huge responsibility. To do your job effectively, you must bring out the best in your teammates and be able to deal with them when they are at their worst. Your success depends on your ability to develop and master the Six “R’s” of Respected Team Leaders. As you read through them below, honestly evaluate yourself on how well you fulfill each of the six important responsibilities.
1. ROLE MODEL
All leadership begins with self-leadership. People will respect you as a leader only if you can walk your own talk and lead yourself effectively. You must model the commitment and work ethic you expect from your teammates. You must have confidence that you can achieve your team’s goals. You must maintain your composure when the inevitable storms of adversity strike. And you must do the right thing even when it isn’t the popular or a convenient choice to make. You must continually model the attitudes and actions your coach expects and be an example to your teammates.
2. REMIND
As a team leader, you must frequently remind your teammates about what is important – the team goal, the game plan, and making smart choices. Remind your teammates that all of the commitments and sacrifices they are making now are really investments in the team’s success and their future. Remind them that the time they spend practicing, getting involved, and doing the little stuff the right way will pay off immeasurably in the long run.
3. REINFORCE
You’ll also spend a lot of time reinforcing the positive strides your teammates make. Be sure to compliment them often to build their confidence and fuel a positive momentum and environment on your team. It’s surprising how fragile confidence can be for some of your teammates. It’s amazing what a simple word of encouragement can do for them coming from you. As Mother Teresa once said, “Kind words are short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” Acknowledge and appreciate your teammates often as a way to reinforce the positive things they do.
4. REASSURE
Because there are so many obstacles, setbacks, and adversities involved in every season, you will need to reassure your teammates when they feel nervous, scared, frustrated, helpless, and hopeless. Give them a sense of hope and optimism even if your team has lost six in a row. Let them know that no matter what happens, every thing will be okay and the team will get to the finish line as planned.
5. REFOCUS
Your teammates will often become distracted throughout the season. With the countless temptations and distractions with boyfriends, parties, television, cell phones, etc., it’s no wonder that some players lose their focus. It is easy for your teammates to get their priorities out of whack. A leader’s primary job is to establish a vision for the team and then continually refocus the team back on the vision when they get distracted. Put simply, your job is to keep “the main thing” the main thing. That also goes for helping your teammates refocus back on to what’s important when they begin to stray athletically, academically, and socially.
6. REPRIMAND
Last but not least, you must be willing to constructively confront and reprimand your teammates when necessary. That doesn’t mean you should be bossy or turn into a scolding parent figure. You must hold them accountable to live up to and maintain your team’s rules and standards (including Christian standards). Confronting your less disciplined teammates is often an uncomfortable and a sometimes difficult task for most leaders, but one that must be done if your team is going to be successful. Part of being a leader is becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. You must have the courage to constructively confront your teammates who aren’t willing to do the right thing. You may not be liked all the time when you hold your teammates accountable, but you will be respected, which is much more important anyway.
(thanks Jeff Jansen)
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