The Many Definitions of Teamwork

Teamwork is a vague, catch-all term that gets thrown around like a football. After a while, athletes hear the word and just nod their heads to the cloudy definition in their mind. But even though teamwork can’t be described in a single way, it does still matter. As the runners of Mitchell High School in Nebraska and the field hockey team for North Allegheny Senior High School in Pennsylvania can teach us, it’s a word that has many significant meanings.

Mitchell runners encourage one another

Mike Harringer, coach of the Mitchell cross country team, watched many of his runners record big-time finishes this past season, the Star-Herald reported. He told the publication that all of the team members, from top runners to middle-level talent, have worked hard and pushed one another in practice and in meets.

“I think for the last couple years, that is what’s made Mitchell cross country successful,” Harringer said to the Star-Herald. “They’re always encouraging each other; the whole team wants everybody to do well. There’s no focusing on individual [accomplishments] with these guys at all.”

Sophomore runner Celeste Cardona served as a good example of this kind of teammate, the paper noted. Harringer told the Star-Herald that she is humble and modest, and she’s equally concerned with other runners as she is with herself. He added that Cardona is also good friends with many of her opponents.

Field hockey squad plays team defense

While players on the North Allegheny field hockey team are also known for pushing one another, their teamwork is especially notable on the field, according to TribLive. On their way to a second consecutive league championship, the Tigers relinquished just one goal in 14 games.

At first try, senior Megan Guzzardi said it’s hard to explain how the team could play such good defense.

“Or maybe it isn’t. It’s the offense working with the midfield and both of them working with the defense,” she told the publication. “Everyone plays together when we defend our goal. Our forwards, everyone, plays back. We all support each other. There’s no one person or one group doing all the defending.”

These are just a few of the many examples of teamwork. Youth coaches and league commissioners can use sports team websites and sports league websites to provide a comprehensive list of cases in teamwork. Young athletes certainly benefit from using teamwork in practice and game settings. However, they could be even more prepared if they understand their coach’s definition of the word before the game begins.