Embracing We, Including Me

Every year we have a team motto which is a phrase that the coaches believe the team needs to embrace so that we can achieve maximum success. This season our motto is "Embracing We, Including Me." The most challenging aspect of coaching is getting the entire team to buy into our definition of team. With the emphasis of the media and many others put on who scores, it is oftentimes difficult to get players to believe that EVERY aspect of the game is critical.

There are many aspects which a team needs to embrace including rebounding, screening, taking the charge, defending, making the extra pass, being a solid substitute, calling plays, being a great teammate, leading on the floor, and supporting teammates from the bench. Unfortunately, these aspects are often not reported in the statistics and do not get recognition from the media or fans. HOWEVER, without these aspects being fulfilled, a team cannot win.

It is our job as coaches to educate the players of the importance of each individual role on a team so that that role is embraced and accepted with enthusiasm. When an individual believes her role is not important enough, the entire team fails. It only takes one dissatisfied player to start a stampede and trample the goals of a team.

We often tell our players that if one member succeeds, we all succeed. If one member fails, we all fail. We attempt to get them to buy into team by rewarding the team for one player's success and punishing the team if one player fails to follow the team's standards. While it appears unfair for all members of a team to run sprints because one player doesn't go to class, our stance is that the team is weakened if that same player fails her class and becomes ineligible. If players don't buy into the unity theme, we encourage them to participate in an individual sport where their success or failure does not effect teammates.

This team has shown their acceptance of the concept of "Embracing WE" over and over again. A few weeks ago, I was prepared to punish the entire team for the failure of one individual. Before running the team, I asked if there was any single player who was prepared to run for the team rather than having the entire team run. Every single player raised her hand. WOW!

When a team can embrace the concept of we, they empower one another. How much easier is it to perform on the court when a team member believes that every one of her teammates wants her to be successful? We also want every team member to understand how important it is that she embraces herself--that she has confidence in her abilities and feels secure about her talents whatever those talents may be. When individuals can feel good about their contribution to the team whether or not any outsider understands that contribution, and every player is prepared to go the distance for her teammates, a true team is born. That team has the opportunity to win championships.