On Sunday night, Keith Kenyon from the American Athletic Institute presented the organization's research on athletic performance to a group of R-MC student-athletes. It was fascinating and he provided a number of statistics about the effects of drugs and alcohol on athletic performance including: drinking to intoxication can negate as much as 14 days of training effect and players who drink are twice as likely to become injured. Both drive home the notion that drinking alcohol decreases an athletes performance.
Mr. Kenyon also talked about the leadership that is needed on teams to be successful and how all team members contribute to team leadership, not just the coaches and/or captains. He provided a handout with the 13 Leadership Goals for All Team Members. I think it captures what it means to be a good teammate.
1. Always follow team rules.
2. Try to be the hardest worker on the team.
3. Try to be the most enthusiastic player on the team.
4. Try to be the best conditioned player on the team.
5. Observe and reflect on the leadership traits of the team captain(s) and coaches.
6. Master the plays and team strategy.
7. Care about your teammates; this includes being supportive and never backstabbing.
8. Maintain your sense of composure and balance when adversity strikes.
9. Always put team goals ahead of personal goals.
10. Inspire confidence by demonstrating self-control.
11. Try to be the most coachable player on the team.
12. Reach out to those team members with whom you have little in common.
13. Try to energize your teammates by your positive attitude.
