Being a Good Teammate

Author: Katelyn Hoffman 

For high school athletes with aspirations of playing college football, the need to focus on excelling as a teammate is just as important as individual skills. Being a good teammate is a way to incorporate effective communication, respect, collaboration, reliability, accountability, and a positive attitude, you can contribute significantly to your team's success. 

• Communication Skills: Effective communication is the foundation of being a good teammate. Incorporate the following communication strategies to develop a positive team environment: 
• Active listening: Pay attention to your teammates, coaches, and support staff during conversations or team meetings. 
• Clear and concise communication: Express your thoughts and ideas in a way that is easy to understand and encourages open dialogue. 
• Encouragement and support: Provide positive feedback, motivation, and support to uplift your teammates during both triumphs and challenges. 
• Displaying Respect: Respect is vital in building strong relationships with teammates. Consider these practices to demonstrate respect: 
• Understanding people's differences: Embrace and appreciate the differences among teammates, including their backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. 
• Sportsmanship: Show respect to opponents, officials, and coaches, even in intense game situations. 
• Supportive gestures: Celebrate your teammates' achievements and be there for them during difficult moments. 
• Collaborative Mindset: Being a good teammate means prioritizing team success over individual. Adopt a collaborative mindset by: 
• Embracing roles: Accept and excel in the role assigned to you by coaches, recognizing the importance of every position on the team. 
• Cooperation and teamwork: Work closely with your teammates, demonstrating a willingness to collaborate and contribute to collective goals. 
• Selflessness: Make sacrifices for the benefit of the team, whether it's sharing playing time or putting in extra effort to support teammates. 
• Reliability and Accountability: To be a good teammate, reliability and accountability are key. Consider the following practices: 
• Dependability: Show up on time for practices, workouts, and team activities, demonstrating commitment and dedication. 
• Fulfilling responsibilities: Take ownership of your assigned tasks and duties, ensuring that you meet expectations. 
• Holding yourself and others accountable: Encourage a culture of accountability by addressing issues constructively and leading by example. 
• Positive Attitude: Maintaining a positive attitude makes a huge difference. Ways to be positive are through: 
• Encouragement and motivation: Offer words of encouragement and motivation to teammates, inspiring them to perform at their best. 
• Resilience: Demonstrate mental toughness and optimism, bouncing back from setbacks and motivating others to do the same. 
• Being a source of energy: Bring enthusiasm and energy to practices, games, and team activities, uplifting the morale of your teammates.