Four Characteristics of Championship Teams

Four Characteristics of Championship Teams

Championship Teams have an Agreed Upon Goal - When talking with a championship team, they have a common goal  - or a series of them.   Win this game - Win District - Win State.   There is a clear direction which dictates decisions each day, each practice and each game.  Will this help us win?  Is this what is best for tonight - does it help us to the goal of District and State?  These goals are shared by the team and coaches.    Now there are secondary individual goals - faster running, strong, more carries - sacks - fumbles recovered, etc. - but these are all secondary to the overall Team Goal.

Championship Teams Believe and By-in to Their Leadership - There must be unity between players and Coaches.   Coaches set the tone and direction, players should so believe in their Coaches that they will charge ahead.   There are going to be times when the player doesn't understand why/what the Coach has asked the team to do - but he has to decide whether to trust the Coach and follow or not.   Championship teams follow their Coaches.

Championship Teams have Unselfish Players - This goes back to a Team Goal - but is more difficult for a High School Player.   Let me explain - my son is a running back (among many other things) for his team.  As a Daddy - I think the only time he shouldn't run the ball is when they pass it to him!  (grin)  Isn't that what is best for my son?   But the question is, "Is that what is best for the Team Goal?" And that answer is undeniably NO.   So what is best for my son - is not what is best for the Team.  That is tough on me as a Daddy at times.   There are times when I have to remind myself - and my son - that it is team first - and we choose to trust the Coaches to get us to accomplish the Team Goals.   Just one more thing: Dads - don't harm your son by undermining your Coaches.  Teach them to trust his leadership.  He will be a better player and a better man in the long run for it.

Championship Teams have Each Others Backs - In every game there is going to be failure - plays that go bad.   Fumbles, missed tackles, penalties, interceptions are all part of the game.   When those happen, championship teams pick each other up.  Sure there are times when a player needs to be challenged to improve - but during the game players need to pick one another up - encourage each other - have each others backs.   That is what a team is all about.  When we win - we win together.   If we lose - we lose as a team.