Role of Team Captains

 One definition of captain is "the person in charge of and responsible for a vessel". Is your captain steering your team the right way?

A misguided or uninformed captain can have negative ripple effects on your entire program- it's important to clearly lay out your expectations about a captain's responsibilities.

Here's a great handout for team captains:

1.     Be on time for all classes, team meetings, practices, and trips.

2.     You are the bridge/liaison to the head coach about how the team is feeling:

a.      If you have any concerns about individuals (academics, socializing, etc) you should walk the line of confidentiality.

b.     Communicate to the team the things that we as a staff want the team to understand (sell staff & program philosophy)

c.      If you, as a captain, disagree with an idea, voice it to the head coach in our meeting; you may either present a new perspective to coach OR you may buy into the idea by understanding it better. Once the final decision is made, you must communicate that to the team (“sing the same song”).

3.     Be loyal to our team goals and team philosophy

4.     You must be role models for the team- actions, words, on and off the court. Lead by example.

a.      Philosophically: be an extension of the head coach.                 

                                               i.     Represent school, team, and self with class.

b.     The younger ones will be upperclassmen, maybe captains someday; leadership begins with leadership.

5.     Reinforce Rules & Regulations and procedures both on and off the court (self-police first)

a.      Set the standard for appropriate behavior on and off the court.

6.     Respect your teammates and your coaches, as well as members of the Athletic Department.

7.     Help establish and/or reinforce traditions.

8.     Bring your own sense of identity and leadership into the program- make it YOUR experience. If there is something that you want to bring or create for the program, try to make it happen.

9.     Keep a check on all incoming freshmen

a.      Make sure they’re connected socially with others on team, off the court

b.     Make sure they understand the workout schedule (who, what, when, where, when)

c.      Along with coaches, match up new players with a sophomore/junior.

10 Be in charge of getting team ready for practice

a.      On time for practice, etc.

b.     Locker room behavior

                                               i.     Conversations, atmosphere

c.      Set work ethic in lifts, conditioning, workouts

11Confirm times and attires on team trips

12  Game warm-ups

a.      Organize drills and supervise pre-game

1   Live the “AND THEN SOME” philosophy…do everything that is asked of you and then some.