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Hi folks, I did a search on the site and didn't find many specific answers to the question, so I'd like to pose it here and see if I can get any.

My son was just named team captain of his freshman team. He was noticably proud as he told me and I told him how proud I was of him, noting that it is a testiment to him and his attitude to the game and that he should feel honored that his coach recognized it.

I fell short of giving him many examples of what his responsibilities are as a captain.

Any advice that you can share will be passed on and discussed with him and are appreciated.

Thanks, best regards, Mike
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Congratulations to your son for being chosen team captain. I am sure many coaches will help you with examples of what a team captain should do.
My best advice is a TEAM reflects their leadership. Lead by example. Always be early for practices, never have a attitude problem, be encouraging and uplifting to your team and the underclassmen who might not be seeing a lot of playtime. Work hard. Whenever you are in a leadership role people look to you . Play hard, practice hard, which I am sure he is doing since he has been chosen the team captain.
You got named captain because of who you are and what you are----great accomplishment for a freshman you are to be commended

Just continue to be yourself--it worked so far so why change---you dont try and fix whats not broken


Good Luck and we look forward to seeing you when you get to the varsity level
WTG!!!
I'll add that academics are important for ALL team members. Have your son take an interest in how well the others are doing, by encouraging them to study for that test, get their homework done on time, every time!! and suggest a tutor or getting a study group going for the whole team.
Son's HS team had a "creed" that they would recite, and gentle reminders of expectations of what it takes to be a "__________" (fill in with the team), maybe develop a "motto" for the team...
Congrats & hope he has lots of fun!
This is a very timely topic for me right now!! I have two GREAT captains this year. It's next year I'm worried about. I have two juniors on the team that should naturally assume Captain roles next year. However, one screws around too much and the other is lazy. I have talked to them twice, letting them know I'm considering them as Captains for next season but they need to start assuming the role now so the younger players begin to see them as leaders......to no avail. Both are decent ballplayers, but my speeches to them have had no effect. The one keeps screwing off and blew up at a teammate yesterday, and the other is still just plain lazy......

I wish now I'd kept my mouth shut. I just thought they'd begin to conform to what I was asking of them........

It is a GREAT thing that the coach chose your son as captain. Believe me, a LOT of thought goes into this. It's a crucial role for the direction of the team. Congrats!!
Last edited by Krakatoa
When I think of a good captain ...the things that come to mind are:

1. Poise - Dont lose your cool, keep your head up and dont take sides in team sqaubles,calm the situation and let the coach sort it out for themselves.

2. Postive - Keep a positive, yet comeptitive attitude. In other words, stay upbeat and encourage teammates ..but dont pretend all is ok after taking an 11-0 whipping.

3. Lead by example - Do the simple (often overlooked things) everything from... being on time, to running out popouts, to wearing uni properly, to raking the field w/o coaxing.


I have 1 "Don't" ...

Don't repeat or reiterate everything the coach says, especially right after they say it ... or after a coach says something say "Yeah, Guys, C'mon" etc. etc. This typically breeds negative sentiment because the other kids think the captain is brown-nosing or trying to be in an authority position like a coach, when they are still a teammate. If the coach said it, its been said...the captain is not a coach (except for situatinal situations ON the field).

Thats my best shot at the attributes of a captain. Hope I helped, I am sure many other knowledgable folks will have good stuff to add.

Congrats!
Last edited by Estone28
Congratulations, Mike on your son's recognition. That's gotta make you feel great that you have raised a talented kid and others have noticed his exceptional character.

Krak, I was wondering if you really have to name a captain. There may be a deserving lower-classman, but I don't see the need to annoint someone who isn't a clear leader. I don't know if infidel_son's team has a captain. I'd be surprised (but not disappointed) if they do and he is not it. He has never mentioned it, though.
Last edited by infidel_08
Good stuff here and I'm sure your son is a great person and a great player.

Now if you want to know what the responsibilities of being captain are have him ask the coach. This way he will know exactly what is expected of him and it will show his coaches he truly cares about this title and do it to the best of his ability.

Never hurts to ask if your not sure of something or how to proceed with something.

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