Helping Players Develop Voices of Leadership

 

Leadership skills are one of the many benefits that sports, led by a supportive, caring coach, can provide. Within an engaging, positive sports environment, athletes develop the confidence, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills to handle all types of situations. As a learned trait, leadership must be intentionally and proactively worked on by coaches. To develop leadership, coaches can:

• Provide all players the opportunity to take on specific roles throughout the season, such as captain of the day or equipment manager. Captains of the day could lead warm-ups and team cheers. The equipment manager could be tasked with organizing their teammates to clean up after drills or getting help distributing pinnies for a scrimmage.
• At the start of each practice, identify one player to set a goal of the day. Have them report out on the progress towards that goal at the end of practice.
• Implement a buddy system where players support and encourage one of their teammates.
• Use players to demonstrate a skill or activity. Connect with the player before you introduce the skill/activity to the team so they know what you are looking for.
• Invite player input and feedback throughout the season. I.e. How can the coaches make this a better experience for all? What are we doing as a team that is working? What can we improve upon?