Captainship

Today we begin a new school year, and with that, a new Cross Country season.  One of the things I am most excited about this season is my 2 captains.  I have been blessed with 2 incredible leaders. And so it is fitting that the first of my many posts about XC through the fall be about captainship:

A good team captain is:

One who is a dominant leader: he leads by his actions more than his words: he is the hardest worker on the team, he endures the most critiques, he respects the coaches the most, he helps out without being asked to, he keeps his teammates on task, and he genuinely loves his teammates.

A Captain always looks out for his fellow team members (on and off the field) and always has their back. (if he disagrees with the team member, he expresses it privately; in public he has their back)

Good team captains are the ones that pick their team up when they're down (sometimes through humor, sometimes by kicking their butts... Whichever is deemed appropriate by the captain) they encourage them to keep striving for their goals, rather than giving up.

Captains are always analyzing what goes on at practice and meets.  They have realistic views of what's being done well as well as what needs improvement. They discuss these views with their coach (in a respectful way) and are willing to work to do more than their part in making the improvements they see that are needed.

While most of the team are at home sleeping, captains are the ones working hard daily to improve their performance for the better of the team and themselves.

Good team captains are the ones that always try to keep a fun and positive environment between the runners; they give admiration and respect to teammates, and they always have an open mind to the opinions and suggestions from them.

Captains must be DEDICATED to their team as well as DEDICATED to their coach (setting an example for younger runners at all times). They're the ones always talking plans and working with the coaches to formulate ways of improving the team for their ultimate goal. They put in the most time and the most energy.

A good team captain must be able to connect with his teammates on various levels. He helps with the sport, with school, with family and social problems, with personal issues... Everything.

Captains are the ones who take full responsibility for the way their team performed when they had a bad meet.  Yet they more than share the glory when their team had a good meet.

A captain is one that is willing to assist their teammates in any way possible. Whether  it’s staying a few hours after practice working on a weakness, helping with homework, or even just communicating with them, giving guidance for any problems they may be having.

Good team captains must also be able to balance their schoolwork with their meets, practices, and teammates; and still be able to make time for other friends and family: always showing younger runners that life is about balance.