|
 | ||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| |
Role Play Teamwork is a beautiful concept, but putting it into practice starts with doing your part
By Sara Glassman We've all seen those teams -- the ones grabbing the headlines, winning the championships and collecting the golden hardware -- in short, teams we wish we could be a part of. What's the secret of their success? Just this: Every team member contributes specific qualities to a winning formula. Players with established roles -- from the gung ho scoring leader to the nurturing player who helps everyone rebound from a hard loss -- make the difference between a team that clicks and one that clashes. On the U.S. women's soccer team, for example, Julie Foudy takes her role as co-captain and field leader seriously. She calls out plays on the field, motivates, listens and keeps everyone's spirits up. "I have a pretty assertive personality," says Foudy. "But I think I'm in charge because I'm the loudest." Field general may seem like the glamour role, but on the soccer team, as on every successful team, performance would suffer if others didn't do their part. "Kristine [Lilly] is the consistent fighter, she goes out there and is unwilling to quit every time," says Foudy. "Mia [Hamm] is the intense one. If I get too goofy, she balances me out. Brandi [Chastain] is the Energizer Bunny. She likes to be in the limelight. And Carla [Overbeck, the other co-captain] is the glue. She's a tremendous motivator." Finding and accepting your niche isn't always easy. Lisa Fernandez is one of the veteran pitchers on the U.S. women's softball squad, but her shyness is a hurdle she has to overcome constantly. "I've always been a physical leader, concentrating on workouts and games," she says. "But I've had to learn to be more vocal and to be an off-field leader and take the entire team into consideration, instead of just myself." Ideally, players' personalities would perfectly fit their parts. Realistically, it takes maturity and selflessness to put the success of the team ahead of personal goals. "Each individual has to put in the effort," says Carolyn Peck, coach of the WNBA's Orlando Miracle. "Players have to channel their personalities and desire to play well into their roles -- whether they like them or not -- to help create team chemistry." Once you've figured out your role on a team, playing it consistently can be challenging. "The more I'm in charge, the more comfortable I get with it," says Fernandez. "But I depend on straightforward communication with my coach to keep me on track." Deciding to resist the system can be disastrous in a team situation. "Not everyone can have the most playing time or be the hotshot," says Peck. "Look at All-Star teams. They usually don't work because everyone is trying to be the show-off." The U.S. soccer team doesn't tolerate straying from the group mentality. "We do an intervention and confront the player who isn't doing her part," says Foudy. "We talk it through until she understands that the team's greater good is most important." If you're unhappy with your role, Fernandez suggests asking your coach why you've been placed in that position. "Hopefully, the reasoning will make sense," she says. "Then, think about what you need to do to play that role to the best of your ability." Remember, nothing is permanent. Roles change when players leave or someone gets injured, and you may have to step it up or down depending on the circumstance. "There isn't a way to have one set role," says Peck. "One person may have to play several different roles, and it's best if players always ask themselves, What can I do to be of value?" Be open to change and willing to fill in wherever you are needed. Ultimately, stretching your boundaries will give you a fuller understanding of your team, making you a multidimensional, and more valuable, player. "The team with the best athletes doesn't usually win," says Fernandez. "It's the team with the athletes that play best together." For more "Your Attitude" features check out Sports Illustrated For Women magazine, on newsstands now
| ||||||||||||||||||
