Being a good team player is not enough to be a good captain. Few people have the opportunity to take on such an important leadership role. If you are lucky enough to be captain of your team, you need to learn to lead your teammates on and off the pitch.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Leading the Companions During the Game
Step 1. Always try your hardest
To be a good captain, it is essential to lead by example. Your teammates will respect you and follow you, whether you want it or not. In any situation, they have to see you give everything to win.
- You can show your commitment by always running at maximum speed and trying to win back all the balls. If you are lazy or don't give 100%, your teammates won't sacrifice either.
- This tip is especially important if your team is losing. Do not change the intensity of your game based on the scoring situation. Let everyone know that you are always willing to give it your all, even in the event of a defeat. It's not easy to get energized when the score doesn't smile at you, so your teammates need your example.
Step 2. Show off your sportsmanship
On the pitch, you should treat your opponents with respect. At the end of the game, shake everyone's hands. As tense as the match may have been, congratulate the opposing team for their commitment. Make it clear to your teammates that it is important to respect all players.
- Respect the fans. After the match, lead your team under the stands to greet the fans and receive their cheers. Ignore the "buu", taunts and insults, in order to show your teammates that words must not influence your performance. Never respond to the public and do not make obscene gestures in response to the insults of the fans.
- Talk to your teammates about sportsmanship. Ask them to describe how they interpret the concept of sportsmanship and how they plan to put it into practice during matches. This way they will understand what you are doing and you will not have to hope that they read your mind. Remind everyone about the right way to treat teammates and opponents.
Step 3. Treat the referees with respect
In many sports, only captains are allowed to speak to the referees. Do not protest a wrong call or an unassigned foul. Remember that the referee has the power to decide what happens on the pitch, you cannot allow his whistles to influence your performance.
- Don't be afraid to discuss the reason for the whistle with the referee. Just remember to do it with respect. Asking the referee why he assigned a foul and explaining why you think he misunderstood what happened is a much smarter choice than getting into a fight with him. Ask him "Why did he call a foul?" and listen to his response, rather than accuse him with statements similar to "What are you whistling!" or "Before you did not give the phallus for us!".
- In some sports, the referee will remind the captains of some of the rules they need to know. Be sure to explain them to your teammates and coaches as well, so that everyone knows what refereeing style the referee intends to follow.
- In almost all sports, protesting against the referee is the best way to be given a penalty or to be expelled from the game. You would be a bad example for your teammates and cause damage to your team.
Step 4. Take responsibility for your mistakes
To set an example for your teammates, you need to make them understand that it is important to admit your mistakes. Don't make excuses when things go wrong. If necessary, ask for forgiveness. Stand up and exclaim: “I made a mistake. I apologize to everyone”. If you are unwilling to accept your responsibilities, your peers will have no reason to do so.
- This advice also applies to relations with referees. If your teammates saw you protesting for a whistle, they would have the excuse of losing due to the referee and would not take responsibility for not playing well.
- Remember this advice only applies to your mistakes. The captain is not tasked with taking responsibility for the mistakes of others. If you always try to take the blame for everything, your teammates will not be able to admit their shortcomings.
Part 2 of 3: Communicating with the Companions
Step 1. Maintain a positive attitude
Do not give the impression to your teammates that a match cannot be won or that they cannot succeed. Encourage them after mistakes and lead them to believe that things will be okay.
- You don't have to deliver a poignant speech like you see in sports movies. Simple encouraging phrases such as "Let's go!" or "We can do it!" to help your teammates believe you can play well and win.
- These phrases are particularly important after the coach has reprimanded a teammate after a mistake. Increasing the dose will not help him, so push him to recover. Let him know he can get better and that you are sure he will do better next time. A simple pat on the back accompanied by a phrase such as "Everything will be fine, next time you will score" will suffice to remind him affectionately that you and the team support him.
- Body language matters. Don't shrug or raise your arms if one of your teammates makes a mistake. Even if you don't say anything, these gestures will communicate negative feelings and send frustration to the whole team.
Step 2. Talk to your mates
As a leader, you will need to make them understand that they can talk to you about the team, their performance or the progress of the season.
- Encourage them to talk to each other too. Show them that it is important to commit themselves, with a simple nod and saying "This is how you do it!".
- When you are faced with a difficult situation, such as a player who does not respond well to criticism or someone who creates problems, find a way to talk to him on the sidelines. Ask him what his concerns are, explaining that he is hurting himself and the team. Remember to be firm, consistent, and remind them that you can't tolerate actions that jeopardize team performance.
- On the pitch, remember that you are in charge. If you have decided how to approach a game situation, let everyone know quickly and confidently. Say "This is our tactic" and don't be afraid to motivate your decisions. The more consistent you are in your explanation, the more your companions will trust you and follow you.
- The team probably won't appreciate all the decisions you make. This is one of the things that make the role of leader difficult. If your teammates trust you, they will more willingly accept your choices, even if they don't agree with you or if things don't go well.
- Always listen to tips from peers to improve your game. This way they will understand that you value their opinion and will more willingly accept your advice. Plus, you know you can always improve.
Step 3. Work together with your teammates
As a leader, your job is not to tell others what to do, but to help them figure it out for themselves. Offer your advice before and during workouts to help everyone improve their performance.
- Do not adopt a tone of voice that is too accusatory, for example by saying "You are wrong". Try suggesting solutions, for example: “Why don't you try to do this” or “Just remember to do this movement when you shoot like that”.
- Communicate with the other captains. In many sports, the team has more than one captain, so you have to work with them to make sure you are all on the same page.
Step 4. Set goals for your team
As a captain, you need to be ready to set goals for your team to achieve. Think about personal and team results that you can achieve together. Concrete goals are very useful for keeping everyone focused on a single goal.
Set these goals together with the coach. They must be compatible with his idea of leading the team and his expectations of success
Part 3 of 3: Lead by Example Off the Field
Step 1. Lead by example in training
As a captain, you need to know that training is as important as matches. Just like you do during a match, you must be willing to do your utmost to demonstrate the importance of practice to your teammates. Compete with them during every drill or training session and force them to do their best to outdo you.
Step 2. Treat your teammates with respect
If you want them to follow your example, you need to be someone they can value. Silence the rumors, gossip and always encourage them.
- You need to know all your teammates well so that you can use the best methods to motivate them. Not everyone reacts in the same way, so you need to know what are the most effective strategies for motivating and encouraging each of them.
- Avoid creating small circles within the team. You are part of a team made up of players, not other teams. Not everyone will become friends, but you need to be prepared to break out of groups that tend to exclude some people.
- If you have a personal problem with a teammate, it is always best to try to resolve it privately. Avoid arguing with him in public, as this can create embarrassment and make things worse.
Step 3. When the coach can't do it, you take the lead
The coach is in charge of the team, but he may not always be there and probably needs your help. If you notice that someone is in trouble, give them a hand rather than waiting for the coach to notice. If the time has come to start training and the technician is busy, start organizing stretching exercises or drills, so that the team uses the time in a productive way.
If you notice that one of your teammates is developing problematic tendencies or if his level of play is too low and the manager is unable to remedy the situation, organize a match between the players only, so as to give everyone a chance. to discuss the team's problems, away from the watchful eye of the coach
Step 4. Contribute to the development of team spirit
A team works best if its elements are happy to play together. Find ways to create this spirit of unity and encourage your teammates to interact with each other even off the pitch.
- You can organize a dinner or party for the whole team, create a motto and maybe print it on t-shirts, or invent a fun and humorous post-race tradition that celebrates your best performances. A short conversation with teammates when you meet them off the pitch may be enough to make them feel part of the team.
- Many teams are made up of outgoing players who like to organize social events and other occasions that can raise the morale of their teammates. There is nothing wrong with letting another player take care of these events, as long as you are willing to participate and that the whole team is involved.
- Not all players will become best friends, but by attending social events together you will get to know each other better and will remember the importance of being a team.
Step 5. Behave well off the pitch
As captain you are not only the leader of the team, but one of its representatives in the eyes of the community. Proper behavior allows the team to make a good impression and sets a good example for your teammates.
- If you are part of a school team, you should do well in class and stay out of trouble. In almost all high schools and universities you will not be able to play if your grades are not enough, so make sure that you and all your peers maintain adequate academic success. Set a good example by getting the best grades possible, encouraging the success of your teammates on and off the pitch.
- If you are a professional athlete, avoid legal problems. As captain you are the most important public face of the team, and if you were arrested or suspended you would cause damage not only to your image, but to that of the whole team. You could also be forced to stay away from the pitch, weakening the squad available to the manager.
- At whatever level you compete, pay attention to what you post on social media. Only write positive comments, both about teammates and opponents.
Advice
- Great captains are made. Being a good leader takes time and patience, as does every other aspect of sport. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, do your best and you will get better.
- There are several ways to exercise leadership. Some people have no problem expressing their opinion verbally, to teammates and the coach. Others prefer to be quieter and lead by example with their behavior. Choose the style that best suits your personality.
- You have been chosen to become captain, either by the manager or by your teammates. Someone is convinced that you can be a good leader for the team. Remember this if you feel nervous before giving a speech to another player. Everyone has the same goal: to improve as a team.
- A good captain gives his soul to win and for his sport. During the competition you have to set an example for your teammates so that they understand what needs to be done to get to victory. The best captains demand success for themselves and their teammates.
- To be the captain, you don't need to be the best player on the team. While you should always try to improve your skills, don't worry if you aren't the most talented player on the pitch. Do your best to set an example for your teammates.
