Embracing the Qualities of a Great Teammate
There is a big difference between good teams and great teams. Good teams are often defined by their stats, wins and losses. Great teams are not only defined by their record, but by the teammates that came together to beat the odds, support each other and have fun while doing it. Great teams are made by great teammates.
Having great teammates is important for a successful athletic experience, but being a great teammate is equally important. Let’s examine some of the ways student-athletes can practice the qualities of being a great teammate both on and off the field.
Examples of Great Teammate Qualities
Our American sports world is ripe with inspiration for qualities that make great teammates. Collaborative effort, shared goals, trust and the desire to elevate others above oneself can be seen in some of America’s most popular athletes, such as Michael Jordan, the 6’6″ Chicago Bulls shooting guard, who once said, “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.”
Then there is Kareem Abdul Jabbar, who held the NBA’s all-time career scoring record (38,387 points) for nearly 39 years and is known for winning six MVP awards and six NBA championships. He once said this about being a good teammate. “What separates the good players from a great player is that a great player is willing to give up their own personal achievement for the achievement of the group.”
These are just two basketball players who embodied the concept of being a great teammate through not only exceptional athleticism, but also in unselfish actions, trust in teammates and positive energy.
Cornerstone Qualities of a Great Teammate
There is no formula or fixed recipe for being (or becoming) a great teammate, but there are qualities that many coaches, trainers and sports professionals point to as characteristics that can be found in some of the greatest teammates in history.
Positive Energy
While great teammates don’t always need to be the “hype-guy” for every workout, practice, game or tournament, they should be an “energy giver” rather than an “energy taker.” For many young athletes, this could mean avoiding drama, gossip, or negative talk, while at the same time encouraging teammates to be the best they can be both on and off the field.
Humility & Team First Approach
If you’ve ever heard the mantra “there is no ‘I” in team,” then you understand the concept that team success comes over individual accolades. Having humility and being excited for a teammate’s achievements is a sign of a great teammate.
Communication & Trust
Collaboration between teammates takes communication, which will lead to trust. Practice communication during workouts and practices so that during high-stakes games and tournaments, teammates will trust that they can understand the needs of the team as a whole.
Hard Work & Reliability
Consistently bringing an A-game to practices and being willing to put in the hard work are the signs of a great teammate. Being a positive role model to the rest of the group by not giving up, being on time, and following what is best for the team is an ideal teammate.
Developing the qualities of a great teammate, including positive energy, humility, communication, and hard work, is what truly transforms a good team into a great one. These core characteristics foster trust and collaboration, leading to success both on and off the field. To help your athlete cultivate these essential teamwork skills and find opportunities to practice them, visit Club Sports Finder today.
