LBI’s: Team Tips
“Not Fit to Lead”
The beginning of a very exciting 2015-16 high school basketball season is right around the corner and teams will officially be coming together on November 9. Coaches will be making some very important decisions like; who makes the team, who will play what position, and who will be the team’s starters. Successful teams/programs all have one thing in common…good leadership. Leadership is often overlooked when it comes to naming the captain of the team. Quite often coaches or players may elect a team captain because they are the star player on the team; however the best player does not always equal the best choice. Coaches and players should go into the season looking for the player who possesses strong leadership characteristics on and off the court. The captain should be the player that demands respect from their teammates, but also gives respect, the player who is encouraging and uplifting but not afraid to chastise when necessary, and the player who is committed to the team’s goals and leads by example.
Here are 8 signs that someone is NOT fit to be the leader of your team. When someone shows these signs, don’t follow blindly, or except it because of their talent level. More importantly…look for a new leader!
1. Blame - It’s never their fault. They blame the process, the system, teammates, or coaches for their or the team’s lack of success. They share the blame but hoard the fame.
2. Passion is Missing - When the leader lacks passion the whole team knows it and will eventually follow suit. If the leader isn’t passionate about the vision, or refuses to buy into the vision, then the team will sooner or later feel the same way.
3. Doesn’t Listen - They think that they’re always right, and their idea or opinion is the only one that matters. They have no problem letting it be known that everyone around them is incompetent, is out to get them or just plain wrong.
4. Feels The Team Is There To Serve Them - They expect teammates to be submissive instead of influencing them to follow by setting an example of working hard and sacrificing for the team. They want a team of “yes men”, not a team of peers.
5. Threatened by teammates- They go throughout the day with fear that someone is better than they are and they work hard to ruin teammate’s credibility and isolate players from the team.
6. Uncooperative - They keep the line in the sand. They’re not willing to compromise or negotiate with the team. It’s always their way or no way.
7. Excuses – They are never wrong or accept responsibility for their actions, or lack thereof, because they always have an excuse that justifies it. The words “I’m sorry”, “I messed up” or even “My fault coach” ever come out of their mouth because they are not a part of their vocabulary.
8. “Un-Coachable”- The un-coachable player is the perfect player in their mind. They feel they have no performance issues and no room for improvement…because they’re perfect. They remind you that they have all the experience and know what’s best and right. Correction is an invitation to rolling of the eyes, smacking of the lips, and in really bad cases, unreasonable parental involvement.
Your team’s success begins and ends with the leader/captain of the team. Being a captain is more than leading the team during stretching activities or stitching a “C” on your jersey. If a person is displaying any of these 8 signs, adjustments should be made. Remember this quote, “Attitude reflects leadership”. Select a captain that will help your team exhibit the work ethic, attitude, and integrity that are the foundation of all great programs.
This story was written by LBI Assistant Scouting Director Nate Brown he can reached via email nbrown@lbiscouting.com also follow him on twitter @LBI_Nate
