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This is and will likely be my only post as I have up to this point as a parent believed that the parents role is to support a coaches decision and allow them the ability to coach. Our job is to praise and raise our kids to be the best they can be. Through our combined efforts and traits of genectics, our kids will in their own right find their place in sports. I have tried my best to do so over the many years. But recently, my daughter, a senior, came home and told me this story. I knew after listening, that it was time to express in something that I feel strongly about. I will try my best to relay the story based on how it was told to me with the understanding this is one side of the story.

The other day, a girl that many believed carried preferential treatment (real or perceived, I do not know) over the years was indeed promoted to the position of team "Captain". Don't get me wrong this girl has worked hard and has the best skills of the team and I am sure for that part, she does deserve the "C" assignment.
There was no team announcement or discussion and that is the right of the coach to handle the assignment in every way he/she desires.
No other "C's" or "A's" were given out, so the other senior girls approached their coach. The coach explained how the one girl deserved the "C" and that an arm band would be traded off so that there would always be two people to approach the officials as there always is in the game.
The three girls after that talked with each other and two of them decided that they would opt out of the co-captain or assistant captain rotation. That way at least one could wear the patch vs an arm band through out the season. They viewed the arm band not as a recognition of their efforts but as an obligation by the coach just to have another representative body and his effort to appease the group. They knew they were leaders in their own rights because of all the reasons I will list below.

Interestingly, the coach handed out a sheet from one of the hockey forums at the parents meeting that stated that it would not be by skill alone by which success at the highest levels of play would be achieved but rather the mind set of the players during the hardest of times.

Forgive my long prologue, but I wanted to set the tone for the discussion and express importance of the topic. I don't want this to be reflective of the coach as he has been a great coach over many years and coaching is hard work and people don't often give them enough credit. The prologue is more about the girls decision and why they truly are "Captains" in every sense of the word. I can't express the level of extreme pride I have in both of them.

I found this on the following web site (http://www.leadershipexpert.co.uk/sport ... ptain.html) and it is clear and to the point. Yes skills and hard work are an inherent part of being a captain, but interestly, they do not individually make the list. Rather it is the "Desire" to lead by example which encompasses those two abilities.

Are You Sure You Want To Be A Sports Team Captain?
Being a sports team captain isn’t just about wearing the cap or being the boss or even just cheering your friends on. It requires a number of things including:
1. the desire to lead by example
2. a passionate belief in team spirit
3. the ability to handle the conflicts that invariably arise when a team is under pressure
4. the desire to put more input in planning the team’s strategies
5. the ability to handle problems which may arise in a fair and expedient manner (eg. disqualifications)
6. the ability to behave professionally and responsibility despite personal feelings of frustration and anger
7. a thorough knowledge of the rules of the game
8. a desire to build relationships with other members of the team, in good times and bad
9. the ability to handle the burden of being captain while still playing in the team
10. the ability to inspire and motivate and raise team morale
If you are able to possess these qualities, then being a sports team captain can be one of the most rewarding leadership experiences you can have.

What I do know is that while these two girls may not be the top players that are aspiring a division 1 scholarship, they did aspire to be the best they could be in the game from the time they were young. The fact they are not the best in skills is probably a factor of many reasons some their own, some as my being a parent, fate itself and to an extent their coaches decisions. However, what they truly excelled in is representing everything that the term "Captain" means. Their team mates recognize that and the coaches decision will be felt by all of them.

I don't want the coach to change his decision because of this post and quite frankly for him to change now would show inconsistency and perceived or real preferential treatment. The team will at this point succeed or fail and the decision of electing leadership is now over as the first game of the season begins. Fate will now become the deciding factor. Unfortunately there will be a piece of moral that will be missing this year as these girls will struggle with being a team player vs a team leader. A piece which there is no measurement in the form of skill or monetary value. In the end, win or lose, the coach will forever look at the words written by one player that represented something he admittedly knew was missing in prior years captains.

I hope that the girls will continue to impart their excitement and leadership desire on others and maybe there will be yet another dynamic leader that will rise to the occasion but this time be recognized with the "C" not only just because of the "S"kill factor.

I wish the team the best of luck this year. I don't know if my daughter will ever read this but if she does she will know how proud I am of both her and her friend that are and will be leaders without the "C".

Interesting topic and excellent presentation of the issue. My take on the issue is this.
The role of a high school captain seldom if ever goes beyond the technical issue of speaking for the coach to the referee. Beyond that they organize spagetti dinners at peoples houses, inadvertantly contribute to drama by simply being the captain. Constantly under scruitiny by teammates, receive day to day drama by players who believe its there job to fix everythinig the coach cant . And in the end stand up and thank people at the banquet.
Often elected by popularity, or by distinction of skill,few selections in my experience have ever considered the LEADERSHIP SKILLS the person has. They are simply plunked into the position and told to lead, and often chastised when they make a mistake in leadership. By the way how well you get along with everybody is not a very valuable leadership skill because sometimes you have to take an unfavorable position. No slills in handling feed back, conflict managment etc . In short, I like the arm band idea spread the pain around. being a captain does not make you a leader!

I am a big Wild fan and I really like the approach they take. Name a captain only for a given time period. Leadership is never given it is always earned and some who appear to be a good leader often are not. Leaders rise to the top and often the informal leader has the most impact.

I agree with you that election by popularity, skills alone, technicality of interface is not right and represents the problem with the "C" spot. Spreading pain is not a good relationship that I would compliment or condone. (Don't worry I know that is not what you were trying to say) However if pain is part of the job, thats acceptable because with any job there is the level of reward or you don't accept the job.

Sports "C" represents an opportunity for us to teach the right reasons of why the "C" spot is or should be awarded, in fact, I would say it is our duty to ensure that the true meaning of the "C" is understood as parents and coaches.

I would further say that the first challenge here is for coaches to stand up and take advantage of the opportunity to teach leadership and it's meaning.

The second challenge and opportunity is for those players wearing the "C" to understand the meaning and live up to its part. If they can't, maybe they should support another player that can and is willing to do so.

It won't solve all the team dynamics, but these kids, by the time they hit their senior year, are very intelligent and often inherently recognize those that are within their ranks leadership values.

Changing the "C" to mean something more than just another peg on a persons stick, belt or jersey first has to start at the coaching level. As parents we can only sit back and hope that our children fully understood the reasons why and be supportive to help them learn if they don't.

Hey all it is just about that time of the year again and it is time for some players and coaches to think about the BIG "C" here are some words of wisdom for players and coaches to ponder on and hopefully create a top Notch Captain. Good luck Girls!

Team Success Often Tied to Bearer of the "C"

The 3 C’s of Being a Captain

Larry Lauer, PhD and Kevin Blue
Michigan State University

Major Point:
Captains embody 3 C’s in leading their team: Caring, Courageous, and Consistent.
Being named a team captain is quite the honor. The position of captain is given to those athletes whom the rest of the team respect and trust to lead the team in the right direction. However, with this great honor also comes great responsibility. A captain must be accountable after a bad performance or practice. Captains are expected to perform in the clutch and lead the team to victory. It is also expected that captains will maintain control in the most pressurized situations and be the model of excellence for their teammates. Wow, coaches and athletes expect a lot of captains don’t they? Is it really worth it to be a captain?

In our opinion, being a captain is one of the greatest honors an athlete can receive. Yet, many athletes take this honor for granted and do not understand the significance of their responsibilities as captain. In fact, in some situations captains may be selected because they are popular amongst their peers rather than being a suitable candidate for the captaincy. Athletes should take the captain’s role very seriously and put some thought on what it means to be an effective captain. In our opinion a good captain should embody the 3 C’s:
3 C’s Caring, Courageous, and Consistent.
Caring:
Great captains have an undeniable passion for the game, for competing, and for their teammates. They put the success of the team ahead of their own needs and are truly concerned with the well-being of all team members. As a caring captain, you should treat all teammates with respect and recognize the contributions made by all team members. If you have a problem with a teammate, you should approach that teammate in private and in a positive way to address the situation and find a solution. The captain should be the one to stop rumor spreading and gossiping. These kinds of behaviors destroy team chemistry, Be a Mentor.
Courageous:
Captains are willing to step up. As a courageous captain, you must “walk the talk” and you cannot be afraid to compete in the worst of situations. Courageous captains set the example for the rest of the team. Your actions must embody the core values of the team, especially during times of adversity. Be a model of courage and dedication to your teammates by setting lofty goals and working hard to reach them. Finally, as a courageous captain you must show that you trust your teammates and coaches, and are also willing to hold teammates accountable to working hard and being prepared.
Consistent:
Effective captains need to be the model of consistency. To be a consistent captain you need to hold yourself to a standard of giving 100% effort in every practice and game. You cannot cut corners and earn the respect from teammates and coaches that is necessary to lead the team effectively. Consistent captains also have an authentic style of communicating. Some lead by their actions, while others are more vocal. Importantly, to be a consistent captain you must remain true to your own style of communication and not try to be someone else.

If you successfully accomplish these 3 C’s you will earn a 4th C – credibility. Nothing is more important in leading your team into competition than being seen as an authentic, credible leader.

What if you need to develop your 3 C’s?

The good news is that captains can be developed; they are not necessarily born captains. To improve your caring, courageousness, and consistency spend time talking to captains you know. How do they handle certain sticky situations? Also, spend time around good captains and model their best qualities. You can also learn a great deal from reading about great captains such as Steve Yzerman, retired Detroit Red Wing.

Talk to your coaches as well. Find out what they are looking for in a captain and how you can fulfill that role. Finally, take your role seriously. Be willing to do what is right for the team even if it is “not cool”. And, get out and do it. You will learn much on the job including from your mistakes. The captain has to become a lighting rod for team criticism while focusing on the team first and their own selves second. Being a captain means putting aside personal achievements for the good of the team. , keeping the team together, making sure everything’s running smoothly. On the ice I need to lead by example: keep a pretty mild temper and if things aren’t going our way, try and rally the troops and get it going.

I personally don't like the Wilds approach as I feel a HS coach should know/think who his leader of the team is. As far as rotating assistant captains. That I don't have a problem with. I think it should always be the coaches decision to name his captain/s as I feel they know which player shows up during the summer programs. Which player is willing to help as many teamates as possible. Which player wants to help the team go as far as possible. Which player is most dedicated and works hardest.

I want to also make a statement that yes we as parents and yes players might not agree with a coaches decision. But we MUST always try to make our girls know/understand that the decision has to be respected for the sake of the team. No matter what! We must help the girls know that team always comes first. Let's all remember someone will always have a problem with something. Always. There will never be 100% approval. Never.

Is it always fair. No. But it's the right thing to do.

If captains were'nt important teams would'nt have them. Last time I checked most if not all teams have captains! I think all teams should have captains.

Melvin, I could not agree more. Rotating team Captains in my opinion, is absurd…and a good captain can make all the difference. You not only want a leader but someone who can greatly influence the game… and a coach that does not properly utilize this key resource is not a very good coach to start with. I also feel it is important for the coach to assign these positions themselves… and not leave it to a team vote... for this is not only a very important decision…it can be extremely difficult one and needs to not only be well thought out, but decisive. I also like the three C’s example for determining a captain.

hockeyheaven wrote:Melvin, I could not agree more. Rotating team Captains in my opinion, is absurd…and a good captain can make all the difference. You not only want a leader but someone who can greatly influence the game… and a coach that does not properly utilize this key resource is not a very good coach to start with. I also feel it is important for the coach to assign these positions themselves… and not leave it to a team vote... for this is not only a very important decision…it can be extremely difficult one and needs to not only be well thought out, but decisive. I also like the three C’s example for determining a captain.

I also agree on not liking the rotating captain.
and Some times when the kids vote it is just a popularity contest but then again sometimes it is right on. I think that most good coaches will make the final decision themselves.

I enjoyed reading the articles on attributes of a good captain, and I think both articles are right on point. Here are my thoughts:

I am in total agreement that every team should have captains. While it is not an automatic right for a senior to become a captain, I believe many girls work hard over the years and deserve a chance to wear the “C.” I agree that the coach should choose the captains – after watching them skate and interact with the other players over a number of years, the coach probably has the best idea of who will make a good captain. I think captains should be chosen at the end of a season for the next year – that way captains are in place for captain’s practices, input into ordering clothing, and someone the other players or new players may contact with questions.

I firmly believe that the coach has an obligation to the team to pick captains who are mature and responsible, who work hard all the time, who care about their fellow teammates, who will be able to handle problems when they arise [because with girls they will arise], and who can inspire and motivate their teammates. The best player on the ice does not always equate to the best captain. In my humble opinion, this should not include a player who sits out the hard drills in practices, who is consistently in the penalty box during games, who only shows up at activities when those activities are convenient to the player, who belittles other teammates, especially younger ones, or who makes choices that benefit only that player or her friends on the team.

While choosing the correct captains is important, it is also imperative that the coach informs his or her captains what is expected of them and mentors them throughout the year. This includes how to handle themselves in the locker room and on the ice, how to prepare the team for a game, how to handle issues that arise between teammates, how to organize team activities, how to be an advocate for other teammates, and how to communicate issues from the coach to the team and vice versa. It is also the coach’s responsibility to ensure that the captains receive the respect from other teammates that they deserve. Captains should be trusted to make decisions that are good for the team as a whole without worrying about being second-guessed by their teammates.

I base my opinions on my own experiences playing high school sports [just after the civil war] and by watching my daughter play various sports on a number of different teams with different coaches over the years. I have by no means directed any of my comments to specific players or coaches.

jumpstart wrote:I enjoyed reading the articles on attributes of a good captain, and I think both articles are right on point. Here are my thoughts:

I am in total agreement that every team should have captains. While it is not an automatic right for a senior to become a captain, I believe many girls work hard over the years and deserve a chance to wear the “C.” I agree that the coach should choose the captains – after watching them skate and interact with the other players over a number of years, the coach probably has the best idea of who will make a good captain. I think captains should be chosen at the end of a season for the next year – that way captains are in place for captain’s practices, input into ordering clothing, and someone the other players or new players may contact with questions.

I firmly believe that the coach has an obligation to the team to pick captains who are mature and responsible, who work hard all the time, who care about their fellow teammates, who will be able to handle problems when they arise [because with girls they will arise], and who can inspire and motivate their teammates. The best player on the ice does not always equate to the best captain. In my humble opinion, this should not include a player who sits out the hard drills in practices, who is consistently in the penalty box during games, who only shows up at activities when those activities are convenient to the player, who belittles other teammates, especially younger ones, or who makes choices that benefit only that player or her friends on the team.

While choosing the correct captains is important, it is also imperative that the coach informs his or her captains what is expected of them and mentors them throughout the year. This includes how to handle themselves in the locker room and on the ice, how to prepare the team for a game, how to handle issues that arise between teammates, how to organize team activities, how to be an advocate for other teammates, and how to communicate issues from the coach to the team and vice versa. It is also the coach’s responsibility to ensure that the captains receive the respect from other teammates that they deserve. Captains should be trusted to make decisions that are good for the team as a whole without worrying about being second-guessed by their teammates.

I base my opinions on my own experiences playing high school sports [just after the civil war] and by watching my daughter play various sports on a number of different teams with different coaches over the years. I have by no means directed any of my comments to specific players or coaches.

couldn't agree more! And you can only hope every parent has had a talk with there girls about respect and Bullying which unfortunately happens much too often.

Very interesting read, one the I've enjoyed reading and often think is either taken for granted my some parents and kids.

A captain, in my opinion, is a person who may not be the best (most skilled) player; but one that can lead the team, help out others and has that passion for their team and this wonderful sport.

I believe it's the coaches choice who is their captain; and how the coach comes to that decision is up to them (whether players vote, or the coach just names them).

It's a tough lesson for some girls who do not get "picked" to be a captain. This may lead to a whole another discussion; but does it matter if a coach hands out 3 "C's" or 1 "C" and 2 "A's"? Do people take the "A" as being demeaning or 2nd best? I'm not sure what coaches even hand out anymore if it's all C's or a combination of the 2.

Very interesting read and a lot of good information is already posted here!