Leadership by Players

How does this work out on most HS teams? I'm talking about guys that step up and assume leadership roles on teams, like a coach on the field. & ability to do this without rubbing other players the wrong way.

how does this evolve? is it an important element to a team's success?

 

Team chemistry is what a team is seeking and leadership can be a byproduct of that. But whether a player is an example setter or a vocal leader, the one thing he must be...is a producer.

On the flip side, if a player is consistently making outs at crucial times or losing big games as a pitcher, if he tries to force his leadership with vocal
enthusiasm...it will fall on deaf ears and potentially alienate his teammates.

I used to cringe when a coach placed the "captain" title on a player he thought should be the leader of his team. That is not something a coach should do. If you feel it's necessary to have one for your team, let the players decide. They know who they will follow and who they won't. You can't force it.

 

OK

I played HS ball with a guy that just naturally was the team leader. Did not have a title, but he just had that knack for leadership that helped to build up the team , without alienating the other players on the team.

He is now a highly successful D-1 baseball coach in a major conference. He was and still is just flat-out a "baseball guy".

 

braves,
i agree. as a coach i have never pointed anyone as a captain. first off they have to earn the respct from the other players. secondly (sp?) i want ALL of my players to be captains. we try real hard to police each ther and push each other in practice. this requires different people gettin on others on different days. what if your "captain" is having a bad day and is loafing in practice etc. in our system i expect someone else to get onto him and challenge him to step it up.
ps changed my avatar. this kind of summarizes how i feel sometimes as the head coach and occaisionally here. ha ha

 

Leadership

Catamount makes some great points. I have never liked naming team captains at all. The players will follow the guys who lead by example and the guys they respect. If you name a captain you better make sure that this is the guy or guys. Some kids are vocal in their leadership and some guys are quiet leaders. Each team is different from year to year. Some teams require a vocal leader and some do not. Team chemistry is the most important factor in a season. It also will determine if you are having fun that year or not regardless of how many wins you have under your belt. The bottom line is if you are unwilling to lead you MUST be willing to follow. If they fall in that category you better identify them as soon as possible and send them packing regardless of their ability.

 

Hahaha...I love your avatar coach. When you are through with it, can I borrow it?

You and Coach May have made some very good points.