You can also learn a great deal from reading about great captains such as Steve Yzerman, retired Detroit Red Wing. How do they handle certain sticky situations? Also, spend time around good captains and model their best qualities. To improve your caring, courageousness, and consistency spend time talking to captains you know. The good news is that captains can be developed they are not necessarily born captains. Nothing is more important in leading your team into competition than being seen as an authentic, credible leader. If you successfully accomplish these 3 C’s you will earn a 4th C – credibility. Importantly, to be a consistent captain you must remain true to your own style of communication and not try to be someone else. Some lead by their actions, while others are more vocal. Consistent captains also have an authentic style of communicating. You cannot cut corners and earn the respect from teammates and coaches that is necessary to lead the team effectively. To be a consistent captain you need to hold yourself to a standard of giving 100% effort in every practice and game. Consistent:Įffective captains need to be the model of consistency. Finally, as a courageous captain you must show that you trust your teammates and coaches, and are also willing to hold teammates accountable to working hard and being prepared. Be a model of courage and dedication to your teammates by setting lofty goals and working hard to reach them. Your actions must embody the core values of the team, especially during times of adversity. Courageous captains set the example for the rest of the team. As a courageous captain, you must “walk the talk” and you cannot be afraid to compete in the worst of situations. Courageous:Ĭaptains are willing to step up. These kinds of behaviors destroy team chemistry. The captain should be the one to stop rumor spreading and gossiping. If you have a problem with a teammate, you should approach that teammate in private and in a positive way to address the situation and find a solution. As a caring captain, you should treat all teammates with respect and recognize the contributions made by all team members. They put the success of the team ahead of their own needs and are truly concerned with the well-being of all team members. Great captains have an undeniable passion for the game, for competing, and for their teammates. In our opinion a good captain should embody the 3 C’s:Ĭaring, Courageous, and Consistent. Athletes should take the captain’s role very seriously and put some thought on what it means to be an effective captain. In fact, in some situations captains may be selected because they are popular amongst their peers rather than being a suitable candidate for the captaincy. Yet, many athletes take this honor for granted and do not understand the significance of their responsibilities as captain.

In our opinion, being a captain is one of the greatest honors an athlete can receive. Wow, coaches and athletes expect a lot of captains don’t they? Is it really worth it to be a captain? It is also expected that captains will maintain control in the most pressurized situations and be the model of excellence for their teammates. Captains are expected to perform in the clutch and lead the team to victory. A captain must be accountable after a bad performance or practice. However, with this great honor also comes great responsibility. The position of captain is given to those athletes whom the rest of the team respect and trust to lead the team in the right direction. Major Point: Captains embody 3 C’s in leading their team: Caring, Courageous, and Consistent.īeing named a team captain is quite the honor. The 3 C’s of Being a Captain Larry Lauer, PhD and Kevin Blue

You the captain