PLAYER LEADERSHIP
16 Feb
Player leadership is the ability of a young man or woman to provide, purpose, direction and motivation to his or her peers while successfully completing the desired goal. Leadership in the state of supervisor to subordinate comes easier just because of the dynamic of the role or position of the two people. When a player is seen as a leader of his peers on the field or classroom, he finds and seeks the ability to provide, that motivation and has the ability to see situations more relaxed that his peers.
Player leadership is one of the most crucial traits that is needed for a team of 25-35 young men to have. I feel that a team will be made up of stronger personalities across the board, and you will be a successful program and team if you can get those leaders to be both visible and vocal when needed.
Yes, I agree it is our role as coaches to teach the quality leadership for our players to follow. The best way to teach quality leadership is to demonstrate that quality and those traits everyday your players see you. Being a coach doesn’t stop on the football field, when your out in the community getting gas, or at the local watering hole, we need to still remember we are being watched. I find that will be easy for me since as a member of the us military, I’m reminded everyday that I respect a situation larger than myself. My family, career and community watch, listen and study my every move.
My intangible leadership traits that i look for are age specific, I have coached ages U7 all the way to high school players. i understand that there is a huge difference in cognitive understanding about what is expected of a person at different age groups. Listening, communicating skills, and calmness under pressure are a few of my intangible leadership traits i would look for as my players get older. With age comes the ability to reason better and you should have a better sense of conflict defusing skills.
I’m a firm believer that we are have inherent leadership abilities, so right off the bat I might take a player who I see as a more shy or reserved player and make him the team captain for a week at practice. I would pull him aide, and inform him that I need him to take this opportunity and show his peers, what we are trying to convey to the group. When i encounter a stronger natural personality he might be pulled off to the side and asked to support the more reserved player. I believe as a leader you should be able to lead form the front, middle or rear of the formation.
As a US military Solider for the past 23 years I have encountered many forms of leadership. To me the best kind has a cooperative approach to mentorship and counseling. As coaches that is what we do on a daily basis.
THIS POST WAS SUBMITTED BY ART CROSBY.
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Very interesting post! I have to agree with what you said that leadership involvement plays a crucial role in the team’s success. Every team needs to have a strong leader to rely on for guidance and motivation. As a coach, one should practice what he preaches and serve as a good example to his student by demonstrating the leadership skills he wants to instill in his players. Age is another thing that impacts leadership skills, just like you said. Coaches should expect certain things from players in different age groups. I also believe that some people are born with leadership skills but even the most promising individuals still need guidance and mentorship before they can develop and grow. Once again, great article! Thank for sharing!
Alex