Week Eight - Being a Good Teammate
INVEST SOME TIME WITH YOUR TEAM AFTER A PRACTICE!
-"I think that from the time you start playing sports as a child you see that your responsibility to your team is to play the best that you can play as an individual.....and yet, not take anything away from being part of a team." -Wayne Gretzky
Players and coaches must always be aware that great moments by an individual are many times due to the help of teammates and their efforts. And… great individual performances will help the team effort. Teammates can expect your best efforts and making great plays.
Talking Point – What is an example of being bigger than the team?
-You said we’re a team. One person struggles, we all struggle. One person triumphs, we all triumph – Coach Carter
Let players know that everyone needs to play to their best they have that day and with that best effort they will gain the respect of every teammate.
If a player is struggling- make sure you and your teammates are giving them positive support to keep their chin up and keep working and playing with their best effort. That things can and will turn at around with best effort.
If the game is lost – let the player know that even though it wasn’t their best day, there will be others and that they have to put this behind them and work to improve.
Talking Point- Ask how they would feel if they happened to be in a middle of a play that cost a game. Would they want to dwell on it – or be asked to be ‘picked up’ and asked to give best effort he next game. Ask your team how would they react to that player/should they act?
-We play together, we win together; We lose together, We stay together
Blaming a teammate for a loss – is not productive and can come back to bite yourself, words and actions against a player for one or two games may really affect the team for a season. Coaches work on “TEAM” whenever the opportunity arises.
Do not single out a player in front of the others – unless you are ready to come back with SPECIFC positive comments for that player. It is always best to address players one on one if there is an issue with them not honoring the game. You want them to respect you and the game – show them that same respect.
Action – Ask players to get a Tank Filling buddy for the game. Switch kids up from day to day.
This is teaching them to be a leader and trusted teammate. Tell them to get specific in their
positive comments. IE “Your hustle after that loose ball was great”… “you had good position
on that rebound”. . . “That is only one foul – keep playing strong”…etc.
Talking Points–– How can a teammate help ‘pick-up’ a player having an off day?
In what ways can we fill the emotional tank of a player to get them to feel
positive about the sport their team.
Review with your team, I Make Positive Actions Count Today !