By Shane Dreiling, Director of TeamArete
Courtesy
of www.teamarete.com
Coaches at all levels are looking for that special
player. You know the one. The special player who has all the qualities
that you are looking for, perhaps to build a team around. That one individual that you want the
members of your team to watch and to emulate.
Whether you are a college coach hitting the recruiting
circuit or the high school or youth coach making final cuts or planning playing
time, I believe it is critical that you are able to recognize those qualities
that YOU find absolute necessary in your team leaders. Coaches at all levels talk about athleticism
and quickness. We all want the great
athlete, the big strong post player and the quick pesky guards up top. However, are these qualities that YOU find
absolutely necessary?
Below are the qualities that I feel are vital in our
players, especially those student-athletes who you want to be team leaders.
The first quality that a leader must have is a positive
ATTITUDE. There is a popular saying,
“Attitude determines Altitude”. I am a
firm believer in this simple concept.
If you believe you can, you can…and more importantly, you will. Obstacles are only challenges, not
impossibilities, and the great player understands this concept. Leaders don’t complain about hardships. They “use the difficulty” to become stronger
people and better players. If you have
a team with a collection of great attitudes, simply put, you’ve got a
team!
For an individual to succeed, they must be willing to submit
themselves to the good of the team. In
other words, leaders must practice overall SELFLESSNESS. Will they sacrifice to make themselves and
their teammates better? Will they bring
the young players or new players along and show them how you expect things to
be done? It today’s game, players must
know and accept their role, regardless of the flash it might entail. A true leader willingly sacrifices personal
glory for team glory.
A leader understands that they are a role model. Good CHARACTER is always monitored by a true
leader. They accept that role and value its importance. They realize that they are a role model to
their teammates, their program and to the community. They believe in doing the right thing the right way all the time.
Great players have an intense desire to succeed. They push themselves harder that anybody
else possibly could. While winning is
important, it is only a small piece of the puzzle. A leader will RELENTLESSLY PURSUE EXCELLENCE in all phases of
their life to fulfill their goals.
It is impossible for a player to be born “good”. Great players are self-made and they are
self-made by hours of hard work and dedication. A leader has an intense WORK ETHIC that pushes them to get up,
get moving and get achieving. They don’t take time off. They spend hours in the gym, alone, with no
one around, taking jump shot after jump shot, practicing dribble after
dribble. Leaders have a passion for the
game and a passion for being the best they can be.
Every program faces challenges and these challenges can
affect each and every player on the team.
Leaders always seem to be able to PERSEVERE, no matter how hard times
get. When faced with obstacles, they
“use the difficulty” to become better players and stronger people. They rally their teammates and motivate
others to rise above the ashes and accept the challenge that greatness
requires.
Finally, CONSISTENCY if that final ingredient that makes a
leader a leader. Can I count on you day
to day? Occasional greatness is a
fluke. I want someone who is going to
give me a consistent effort, a consistent attitude day after day.
In over 10 years of coaching, these are the qualities that I
want in my players…especially in those athletes who I expect to set the example
for others to follow. Give me fifteen
student-athletes who have positive attitudes, a selfless approach to others,
good character, a drive to relentlessly pursue excellence, a strong work ethic,
the toughness to persevere and a consistent approach and we will win some
games. And, more importantly, we will
have a recipe for success for our total program.