Voices of the Nation: How do you select your team captains?

How do you select your team captains?

Noble Cotton
Softball Coach
Churchland High School
Portsmouth, Virginia

I coach varsity softball and I select captains for our team based on leadership, consistency and attitude. My captains exhibit leadership on and off the field. They must perform at a consistent level, at practice and games, to challenge their teammates and bring a positive attitude to the field to carry the team throughout the year. I try to choose a captain who will model these behaviors for their teammates to follow on and off the field.

Laurie Glass
Volleyball Coach
Leland Public School
Leland, Michigan

I pick my captains based on leadership qualities. They must be able to communicate effectively with others and understand the vision for the season intimately. They are my voice on the floor and the example of our work ethic. I allow my seniors to be “captains” on the program and at the opening coin flip ceremony. My floor captain is the true leader of our team and chosen specifically for what they bring to the emotion of the team.

Stephen Piercefield
Baseball Coach
Cambridge Christian School
Tampa, Florida

When deciding upon team captains, I truly believe leaders separate themselves. Did the Yankees and Red Sox have to announce Derek Jeter or Jason Varitek captains? Or was it just a formality? Our captains share these qualities: attitude, effort, communication and accountability. Those traits are often found when describing most great leaders. Being a captain is not easy. A player that can be looked up to by their peers, and willing to become the example every day is difficult. When a player invests in everything they do for the good of the program, then you have a captain.

Barbara Schiffler
Volleyball Coach
Churchland High School
Portsmouth, Virginia

I select our captain on the following criteria: In volleyball it is critical to have a floor captain who epitomizes the reflection of our team and the school which is sportsmanship. The floor captain must have the knowledge of the rules and games because he must be able to approach an official, in the heat of the moment, with a calm demeanor to be able to ask questions. He must be able to lead by example and be a role model to the other players. The captain not only has to lead on the court but in the school building.