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BUILDING THE PERFECT TEAM

Team building in the athletic arena is likely the most important skill for a coach to master.  While the public is looking at star players and winning maneuvers, the prudent coach is constantly surveying his or her team, analyzing it as a whole.  The actual sport being played is probably secondary to the dynamics of the group.  Stories abound of players who fell into the trap of believing the headlines, letting the momentary glory go to their heads.  A team is exactly that: a team.  This means moving forward as one body, each part fully aware that it is in need of and in service to all other parts.  If there is a well-executed play, good defensive mechanics, even a spectacular winning goal, it is the team which is to be recognized.

START YOUNG

Children are generally born self-centered, needing little help forming a natural disposition toward self-preservation.  As self-confidence gains momentum during the early years, wise parents, teachers and community leaders recognize the need to cultivate the principles of group mechanics and what is commonly referred to as “the long view”.  Coaches who train youth sports teams are privileged to a window into the formative years of a person, influencing that boy’s or girl’s character and, therefore, their future.  The benefits of playing team sports from a young age do not really show up until after a person has left school and entered the working world.  It’s easy to spot the team players in the office, for example, versus the solo artists.  The sports field, whether at school or extra-curricular, is a wonderful place to develop the individual’s star power.  A solid coach then deliberately channels it into a team of excellence and integrity.

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Tips for Individual Sport Training Motivation

Training for an individual sport can be much more difficult than training for a team sport. The main reason being that there isn’t readily a motivational factor such as scheduled practices or teammates encouraging you on. Instead, for most individual sports the athletes have to train on their own and create their very own training regiments.

Training individually is where many athletes can lose focus and the desire to compete. It is easier to fall victim to excuses and a hectic schedule. For those that don’t have a coach, here are some tips to keep the drive alive and train to your fullest.

Keep Track of Progress

By keeping a record of what you’ve done, you know how far you have to go to get in the shape you want most. Also, as a individual athlete, having record of your past performance allows you compete against yourself while training. This creates goals to meet and scores to break.

Mix up the Training Routine

Doing the same training regiment over and over causes your body to become complacent as well as your mind. Such monotony can cause anyone to lose interest in a sport. Trying new things eliminates the risk of boredom and helps build new skills. Even just changing the scenery can go a long way.

Join a Group

For those that just can’t seem to be able to motivate themselves, there is always help. Joining a group that competes in the same individual sport is a great way to find the motivation to push yourself further. Additionally, groups help athletes to keep working on a consistent basis.

Make Free Time

Even for the most die hard athlete, there is such a thing as training too much. Going overboard is a quick path to burning yourself out. So it is important to make time for engaging in other activities other than your sport.

Just because you play an individual sport doesn’t mean you have to lack the organization of a team sport. Nor does it mean not training competitively. An individual can always be their greatest motivator.

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Characteristics Needed to be a Good Teammate

While having complimentary playing styles is highly important in excelling at team sports, it’s only half the story. Being a good teammate demands more than athletic excellence. In fact, some of the best team players aren’t the best players on the court. Instead, team players are very efficient at other parts of the game.

Those aspects of the game have more to do with character, and it is the most essential necessity for being a good teammate. Here are the best characteristics needed for any good teammate.

Vocal/Communication

Communication is one of the most unsung characteristics in team sports. Yet, it becomes most apparent when the losses start piling up. Players that aren’t vocal and don’t speak to their teammates will never have a chance to build a fluid team chemistry. Being on the same page on the court or field means letting teammates know what you plan on doing and listening to what others plan on doing.

Honesty

Constructive criticism is an absolute must in any team sport. Teammates shouldn’t be afraid of bringing up the mistakes of others. In doing so, a team can sort out their flaws and realize what they need to practice on a team level and individual level. Honesty also helps build camaraderie as teammates can then turn their criticism into much needed encouragement.

Trust

It’s easy to see on the playing field when teammates don’t trust each other. Instead of staying in position, they are moving all over the place tyring to do too much because they don’t think their teammate will. This causes teams to play in erratic patterns and will hurt them overall. Teammates need to trust each other, which will allow them to play as one instead of as many.

Compassion

Every athlete will go through trials in their playing careers from slumps to injuries. Good teammates understand this and are ready to offer their compassion rather than their disappointment.

Rarely will you find a championship team that didn’t get along. The fact is that good teammates make great teams, all with a little character.

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