Team Leader

[SoonerNorm]

A lot has been said about having a team leader. I have to say, in my opinion, that is over-rated. I have played on a state championship team and I honestly couldn't tell you who the team leader was and I think my teammates would say the same thing.

IMO you only need one leader, the coach. The coach explains to each player their role. It is up to the players to do their jobs and I don't think most players need another kid telling them what to do. In fact, it would probably tick me off if they tried to tell me how to do my job. I don't need a rah-rah teammate pumping me up. Players who don't give 100% should sit on the bench.

I realize I'm in the minority on this subject but that's my take.

Fire away!

 

[rocjunkie]

Okay, I'll shoot the first salvo!!! Most of your post I am in agreement with, however there is one intangible missing. A team leader in my book IS NOT the coach on the floor, I never really liked that term. However you want that one kid you can always depend on, the one player that wants the ball in their hand at crunch time, the one that the team will rally around, and we have had some great ones. This kid is usually a gym rat, doing every thing they can to improve every single day, absorbs like a sponge at practice, brings a work ethic to the team, that if team mates give a hoot, will follow the example. That is your team leader, and the more the merrier. They can be quiet, or full of vinegar, but the one aspect of them you will always see, the team always comes first.

 

[sybarite]

All good teams have good team leaders. Teams with less talent and good leadership can beat a leaderless group of stars every time. But, what is a leader? Is it your best player? Is it your senior?

It may be the worst starter that you have, or even a sixth man. The team leader may or may not be vocal. The team leader may or may not be the one who yells, "full speed ahead."

Your team leader is your example, the one who stands firm when necessary. Your team leader is the one who gives absolute effort on every play, who does the best that he/she can do on every play. That sets an example that others must follow, an example of effort. Your team leader can't yell, but throw the ball away and make mistakes. Your team leader is the one who has taken the time to learn not to make mistakes. The team leader may not score twenty or rebound ten. But, your team leader will make the play, cover the other team's scorer.

We won the national title in softball last year. We won the Big Twelve title against Texas in a game in which Chamberlain and Pendley must have struck out seven times between them. The bottom of the order was something like eight of nine and scored the runs that won the game: a junior, sophomore, and senior. The stars didn't do it. The bottom of the order did it.

When Tennessee scored three runs to take a lead, it was the bottom of the order that Tennessee couldn't get out. They weren't beaten by the stars, but by those who rose above. The team leader may be the player who didn't hit 400, but who got the key hit in a championship game----and does it repeatedly. When the pressure is on, the team leader rises above with effort.

The team leader plays so hard that everyone else feels obligated to play. The team leader doesn't sit out at the three-point line waiting to be tossed the ball. The team leader makes something happen, and by sheer energy sometimes finds their shot. In so doing, he/she has made the shots possible for others. Teams that stand around don't have team leaders.

You can only coach people to do the best they can from the sideline. Sometimes, they rise to the level of someone on the floor. Bud used to teach his quarterbacks to be the team leaders. But, when the game started, they were in charge. You can't provide energy from the sidelines.

We have some great girls. They do their best. But, they are not responding as though they had a leader. Usually, we develop someone. Will we this year?

 

[got mulk??]

I agree with most of your post except that the team leader is the coach and not a player. They don't have to boss others around but experience is important, especially with a young team. You need that leader on the floor that everyone looks to provide a sense of calmness to settle the nerves of younger players. It is also key to have someone who wants the ball in the clutch and can be counted upon to produce every night.