Creating Captains

• Rett Larson
• 4/12/2011
• More Articles at Combine 360

I read a great blog a while back that got me thinking about the way we treat and train young athletes. 

It said:
“I am sick of seeing 13 to 15 year old kids labeled as the next superstar. We anoint these kids to the point where they think they are above the rules. Adults tolerate ant-social and sometimes illegal behavior; we enable these kids to the point where they never have to grow up, this is not a racial thing, it transcends race and gender. They don’t have to go to class, they don’t have to do their assignments, and someone always takes care of them. What do you think will happen when you give a kid like this a contract worth millions of dollars? Will he immediately learn responsibility and change a behavior pattern that authority figures have enabled him to do throughout his athletic career? I don’t think so and there is evidence everyday in the sports page to prove it. I know I am old fashioned but I was raised to believe that character was important. As coaches, teachers and administrators we have a responsibility to teach good behavior and responsibility for the star and the last person on the bench.”

This reminded me of another conversation I had with a coach recently about the philosophy of creating greatness in young athletes on and off the field.  He trains his athletes to not only run faster and jump higher, but to be the captains of their team.  From a practical standpoint it means that athletes are responsible for getting and putting away all equipment, they’re instructed how to give a good handshake while looking their coach in the eye, they’re lauded for encouraging others in the group, or welcoming a new athlete and making them feel like part of the team.  Coaches ask parents to make their young athletes call and schedule their training so they learn to take responsibility for their athletic potential. 

Some coaches go even further, correcting their athletes’ poor grammar or bad posture.
Lots of speed and strength programs, even bad ones, can make young athletes faster, but it takes a great coach to change the behaviors of those athletes off the field to create better human beings.  Create captains – the world thanks you in advance.