Buzz
Inspire, communicate, and guide your team towards victory
Being a great team player is one thing, but becoming an exceptional captain is a different challenge. Not everyone has the chance to take on this critical leadership role. If you're lucky enough to step into the role of team captain, you'll need to lead your teammates both on and off the field.
Steps
Leadership During the Game
Consistently give your best effort. One of the most vital parts of being a captain is setting a strong example. Your teammates will watch you closely, and whether you realize it or not, they will follow your lead. Regardless of the situation, they need to see you working as hard as possible to win; you'll be the one who either takes credit for the team’s success or bears the brunt of any failure.
- Show your commitment by never jogging when you should be sprinting, and always giving your all in every play. If you fail to push yourself, your teammates will feel it’s okay for them to do the same.
- This is especially crucial when you're trailing during a game. Don't let the score affect your effort. Let your teammates see that you'll give everything, no matter what. Maintaining energy while losing can be tough, and your example will inspire them to keep going.
Show respect and good sportsmanship. On the field, always treat your opponents with courtesy. After the game, make sure to shake their hands. Regardless of how tough the competition was, congratulate them for the good match. Lead your team in showing that respect for everyone involved in the game is essential.
- Respect your fans too. You can guide your teammates to applaud or salute the cheers of your supporters after the match. Ignore any boos or insults from opposing fans, and show your teammates that negative comments shouldn't affect their focus. Never engage in shouting matches or make inappropriate gestures in response to negative fan reactions.
- Engage your teammates in discussions about sportsmanship. Ask them what they believe sportsmanship means and how they plan to demonstrate it during the game. This ensures they understand your actions and reinforces the importance of treating everyone with dignity, both teammates and opponents alike.
Show respect to officials. As a captain, you may be the only one allowed to communicate with the referees. Avoid yelling at them about missed or incorrect calls. Remember that the referees are in charge and their decisions shouldn't affect your performance on the field.
- Don’t hesitate to ask the referees about calls, but do so in a respectful manner. Phrasing such as “Why was that called a foul?” and calmly listening to their explanation is much more effective than accusing them with statements like “That was a horrible call” or “You didn’t call that foul on the other team.”
- Referees often inform captains of certain rules they’ll be emphasizing during the game. Be sure to communicate these to your teammates and coaches to ensure everyone is on the same page about how the game will be officiated.
- Disrespecting the officials can result in penalties or even getting thrown out of the game. This not only sets a poor example but also harms the team’s chances.
Own up to your mistakes. Leading by example means showing your teammates the importance of taking responsibility for your actions. When things go wrong, avoid making excuses. If needed, apologize and say, “I made a mistake. Sorry, everyone.” If you fail to own up to your actions, your teammates will feel they have no reason to do the same.
- This applies when dealing with officials too. If your teammates see you blaming referees for poor calls, they might shift the blame rather than recognizing their own performance mistakes.
- Remember, this responsibility applies only to your own mistakes. It’s not your job as a captain to take the fall for your teammates' errors. If you’re always trying to shoulder the blame, your teammates won’t learn to take responsibility themselves.
Effective Communication with Teammates
Keep the morale high. Never let your teammates think they can’t win or succeed. Be there to encourage them after a mistake, and remind them that you believe in their abilities.
- This doesn’t have to be a grand speech like a scene from a sports movie. Simple words like “Let’s go!” or “We’ve got this!” can make a big difference in showing the team that you’re confident in their skills and the team’s chances.
- This is particularly important when a teammate has been scolded by the coach for an error. Don’t pile on—lift them up. Let them know they can improve, and you believe in their potential to perform better next time. A kind gesture, like a pat on the back and saying, “It’ll be okay, you’ll get them next time,” can go a long way in boosting their confidence.
- Body language speaks volumes. Avoid gestures like shrugging your shoulders or throwing your arms up in frustration when a teammate makes a mistake. These actions, even without words, send negative signals and can demoralize the team.
Communicate with your teammates. As a leader, it’s essential that your teammates feel comfortable talking to you about their performance, team dynamics, or how the season is progressing.
- Encourage open communication between teammates too. Show them the value of acknowledging effort with small gestures like high-fives and simple phrases like “Great job!”
- If a difficult situation arises, such as a player who struggles with criticism or someone creating issues, find a private moment to address it. Discuss their concerns and explain how their actions affect both them and the team. Be firm and consistent, and remind them that behaviors detrimental to the team won’t be tolerated.
- On the field, you’re the one in charge. Once you’ve made a decision, communicate it clearly and confidently to the team. Say “Here’s what we’re doing,” and be ready to explain your reasoning. The more you clearly explain your decisions, the more trust your teammates will have in you.
- As a leader, not all of your decisions will be popular. That’s one of the challenges of leadership. However, if your teammates trust you, they’ll be more likely to accept your decisions, even if they don’t always agree or if things don’t go as planned.
- Listen to your teammates’ feedback as well. This shows them that you value their opinions and can accept advice, just as you give it. After all, there’s always room for improvement in your own game too.
Collaborate with your teammates. As a leader, your role isn’t just to tell your teammates what to do but also to help them get there. Be proactive in offering advice both before and during practice to help everyone raise their performance.
- Avoid sounding accusatory; instead of saying “You’re doing it wrong,” try saying “How about trying this,” or “Remember to add this one extra step when making that move.”
- This also applies to working with fellow captains. Many teams have multiple captains, so it’s crucial that you collaborate with your co-captains to ensure you all share the same vision and approach for leading the team.
Establish goals for the team. As a captain, you need to set clear, achievable goals for the team. Look for personal and collective milestones that everyone can work toward. Having specific objectives helps keep the team focused on a shared purpose.
- Work with your coach to develop these goals. It’s important that they align with your coach’s overall vision for the team and the path to success.
Leading Beyond the Field
Take charge in practice. As a leader, you know that practice is just as important as the game itself. To lead by example, work hard in every practice session, showing your teammates that dedication is key. Compete in every drill, and push your teammates to work harder to beat you, setting the standard for effort and intensity.
Respect your teammates. To inspire your teammates to follow your lead, you need to be someone they admire. Address rumors and gossip, and look for ways to uplift your teammates at all times.
- Take the time to understand each of your teammates, including the best ways to motivate them individually. Not everyone reacts to motivation the same way, so it’s important to know how to encourage each person effectively.
- Steer clear of team cliques. Your team should be united as a whole, not divided into sub-groups. While you can’t force everyone to become best friends, it’s important to break up any groups that exclude other team members.
- If you have personal issues with a teammate, discuss them privately. Publicly calling someone out can create unnecessary embarrassment and escalate conflicts.
Step up when your coach isn’t around. While your coach is in charge, they can’t be everywhere at once and will likely rely on you for support. If you notice a teammate who needs help, step in without waiting for the coach to address it. If practice is about to start and the coach is occupied, take the initiative to set up stretches or drills to keep the team productive.
- If you see issues developing in a teammate’s performance or habits that the coach hasn’t noticed, hold a players-only meeting. This can ease some pressure and help the team resolve the problem without the coach’s presence.
Foster team camaraderie. Your team will function better when you all get along. Find ways to build team spirit and encourage your teammates to bond outside of practice and games.
- Simple gestures like organizing a team dinner, creating a team motto, or setting up a fun postgame tradition to celebrate good performances can go a long way. Even casual conversations with teammates outside of practice or games can strengthen the sense of community.
- Some players may naturally gravitate toward organizing social activities. Don’t hesitate to let them take the lead in organizing, but ensure you support them and make sure everyone feels included.
- While not everyone will become best friends, social events help players learn more about each other and reinforce the importance of team unity.
Set a positive example off the field. As the team captain, you are not only a leader but also a representative of the team in the wider community. Your actions reflect on your team, so it’s important to set a good example for your teammates.
- If you’re part of a school team, this means excelling in your academics and staying out of trouble. Many high schools and colleges won’t allow you to compete if your grades suffer, so it’s important to stay eligible and encourage your teammates to do the same. Show them that academic success is just as important as athletic success.
- For professional athletes, staying out of legal trouble is crucial. As a captain, your behavior affects not just you, but also the image of your team. Getting arrested or suspended can have a negative impact on your career and the team’s reputation.
- Regardless of your level of competition, be mindful of what you post on social media. Keep your comments positive and respectful, whether towards teammates or opponents.
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A great team captain should always be the first to arrive at practice and the last to leave.
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A passionate captain who is committed to winning will set the tone for the team. A good captain knows that sports are competitive, and they must lead by example, doing whatever is necessary to ensure the team’s success. The best captains hold themselves and their teammates to high standards.
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Being a great captain is a skill that takes time to develop. Just like any other aspect of your sport, leadership requires practice. Don’t be discouraged by mistakes; instead, focus on doing your best, and you’ll improve with time.
The advice provided in this section comes from the valuable experiences shared by Mytour readers like you. If you have any useful tips you'd like to contribute to Mytour, please feel free to submit them in the form below.
- Be sure to stay loud and enthusiastic, cheering for everyone to make them feel appreciated. Keep the energy positive, so you’re always a source of encouragement.
- Even if your team is facing a tough time, continue to cheer and support them. Being a positive role model means staying encouraging, regardless of the score.
