Being a good player is more than that.If you want to improve your game and the games of your teammates, you can learn to fill the role your team demands of you, leading by example and being the best sportsman you could be.Good players are needed on teams.Are you ready for the challenge?
Step 1: You have to develop your basics.
If you want to be a good team player, you have to work on being an all-around athlete, spending time building the fundamental skills necessary to your sport.If you want to be a great basketball player, you need to spend time dribbling, develop your defensive skills, and learn to make crisp passes.If you want to be a great soccer player, you have to learn how to control the ball, shoot accurately, and move to space.It's fun to get out there and play the sport you play, but doing drills is an essential part of practicing.Shoot hoops, but practice dribbling, defensive training, and other drills that you learned from the coaches.Building the less- fun skills will help you stand out and become a stronger player.
Step 2: The responsibilities of your position can be learned.
A specific role is what playing a team means.Being a part of a team means filling a role.It is not every soccer player's job to score goals.Being a good player requires learning the responsibilities and role of your position, and studying how to fill that role.If you want to be on the field, you need to know where and what your job is.Pick an opponent to mark up against if you're playing defense.How can you best distribute the ball if you're controlling it?Most of us want to play quarterback, strikers, and point guards when we first start playing a sport.A great team is made up of role-players who play the positions for which they're most suited.Don't be jealous of the offensive positions if you're a great defender.Improve your skills by embracing your role and committing to it.
Step 3: Practice hard.
Being a good team player is dependent on showing up to practice and working out.If you practice hard, you will improve your skills and knowledge of the game, setting you and your team up for success.Prepare to work if you show up on time.Take your gear and water with you.Get ready to work by stretching out.Have a positive attitude about practice.Some athletes have a lot of talent, but seem to prefer playing video games over honing their skills with their teammates.Be a better player.All you have to do is leave your effort on the field.If you pull up and take it easy when you're supposed to be lifting weights, running laps, or doing drills, you will be slower, weaker, and less talented than your opponents.It's a good idea to bring it to practice.
Step 4: Stay active.
If you spend all your time healing from injuries and recovering on the bench, you can't be a good player.It's important to take care of your body and stay in shape to compete in games and give your team the best chance of winning.Warm up before and after practice.Running onto the field without stretching and warming up your body is a recipe for disaster.Good players should take a few minutes after practice to rest.Between workouts, get enough rest.If you have to practice tomorrow, you shouldn't stay up until the early hours of the morning playing games and chatting online.Get enough sleep, at least 8 hours, and allow your body plenty of time to recover and rest before you put it to the test again tomorrow.
Step 5: Stay hydrated.
A study of NFL players found that almost 98% were dehydrated before workouts, which can lower performance levels by as much as 25%.Sports drinks and plain water give you the energy to perform at your highest level and stay healthy.Try to drink at least 8 ounce of water every 15 minutes during practice.Drink slowly so you don't upset your stomach.
Step 6: You should listen to your coach.
Good players need to be coachable, which means they have to learn to take criticism and apply new lessons to improve their skills on the field.Coaches don't tell everyone that they're doing a good job and that everyone will end up going pro.If you want to be a better athlete, you need the help of the coaches.You might hear some suggestions and criticisms.Good players listen to criticism and learn from it, as bad players fold up and get frustrated.If your coach calls you out for your sloppy squats, you could either get angry or say "Yes, coach!"And sweat harder.In front of the other players, never argue with your coach.If you have a problem with strategy or something the coach told you in practice, set up a private talk about it alone.The authority of the coach should never be questioned by good players.
Step 7: It's a good idea to communicate on the field.
Teams need to be coordinated to win.The teams that are silent are less likely to win.Cheering for other players, calling for the ball, and communicating clearly about players and strategy are important parts of team success.It is your goal to be louder than the other team.It's important to talk to your teammates, but don't trash talk the other team.It's not necessary to talk smack as a way of motivating your teammates.Go for it, but be gentle.
Step 8: Push through the pain.
Games can be crazy-exhausting, and training isn't always fun.Good players will push the pain of training into the back of their mind and fight through it.When you're exhausted at the end of the game, you can either jog toward it tiredly or dig deep and sprint.Good players run.You'll be more enthusiastic to fight for the whole game if you find ways to stay motivated.Play loud music, watch a sports movie, or do other team-building exercises that you enjoy.
Step 9: Lose with dignity and win with class.
If all your hard work was enough to win, or if you've still got more work to do, the games will come down to the final minute.Good players are tested at the end of the game.Are you going to handle it quietly?Are you going to be sore?Knowing how to win and lose is the beginning of sportsmanship.It's fine to celebrate when you win, but never to insult the other side.Don't rub it in, be happy that you won.Stay positive about the experience and compliment the other players for a job well-done.It's okay to be disappointed when you lose.No one likes to lose.Don't make excuses, or be mean to your teammates.Each loss should be treated as a learning experience.What do you take from the game to improve for the next?What could you have done differently?
Step 10: Don't play dirty and follow the rules.
Good players don't take things for granted.Good players know that games aren't all about winning or losing, but about how you win or lose.Regardless of the outcome, you need to be proud of your performance.Hold yourself accountable.Rules in many team sports are constantly changing.Stay up to date on the newest and most recent rules by learning the rules and studying them.
Step 11: You should play with passion.
Good players use their desire to succeed to drive them on the field.A good dramatic angle to the game is an important way for players to get passionate."It's just a game" is a good way of speeding through the rest of the game.It was personal for Michael Jordan to invent slights and insults from his opponents.Even if they hadn't said anything before the game, he made it a point to show up and prove them wrong.Don't let your emotions get the better of you.Don't play angry.When you're on the field, turn it on and off.Let the game be over as soon as possible.
Step 12: Don't show up.
It's bad sportsmanship to put your skills on display.Good players don't need to show off to prove their ability or feel better about their skills if they want to do well.You should know that you're a good player without the need of running up scores, embarrassing other players, and hamming it up for the fans.Pull back if you're winning by a lot of points is a good team technique.If your team is up by more than six goals, you should make a rule that no one can shoot until every player on the field touches the ball.Use the time to work on your ball handling.The game should be more challenging for you.
Step 13: Don't argue with the officials.
Don't argue when the referees make a call against you or one of your teammates.Speak to the officials respectfully and follow their instructions.Talking back or arguing can make punishments worse.If you're frustrated, try to use the word "sir" or "ma'am" when you speak to the officials.Before you open your mouth, take a deep breath and check your emotions.
Step 14: You should lead by example.
Being a leader doesn't mean you have to speak a lot at halftime.One thing in common is that leaders come in all forms.They lead by example.You need to practice what you preach, put a lot of effort into your game and improve your play.Other teammates will be motivated to do the same when they see you leaving everything on the field, doing that extra rep, and running when your tank is empty.Go all the time.You are not a coach as a team leader.Your job is to be a good player, not to tell other players what to do.All the better if others are motivated by your performance.If not, focus on your skills and do the best job you can.
Step 15: You can learn to motivate your teammates.
The weakest link in the chain is the slowest player.Try to identify your teammates that need a little extra and help them out by cheering them on during practice or partner drills.If you're a strong player, you might gravitate toward other strong players, but try to spend time with younger teammates who might need to learn more.It will make you stand out as a leader.When you see other players getting frustrated with the way something is going, cheer on your teammates, clapping and encouraging them.Take control of your team and encourage them to succeed.There is no one way to motivate other players on different teams.If you're feeling tired, you can just sit this one out.Is it better to let one of the freshman play?Some unconfident players might need encouragement to improve their play.Kid, keep it up.
Step 16: It's never a good idea to blame teammates for failures.
If you get into the blame-game with a loss, it can sink you.Don't make excuses for your own play or throw other players under the bus.It was not the officials, the weather, or the subs fault that your team lost.The team's was what it was.It's not necessary to talk about a bad game if it was obvious.If that player looks down, give them a slap on the back.They should be reassured that it's not their fault.If one of your teammates is punished for breaking a rule, serve out the punishment with the rest of the team.If one player gets a yellow card, run laps with them at the next practice.The other players should do the same.As a team, act as one.
Step 17: You should be loud on the sideline.
It's time for leaders to be invested in every game as if it were the Super Bowl.When you're not on the field, cheer on your teammates and encourage them.Even if your teammates aren't playing, get them invested in the outcome of the game.Be loud and support everyone.
Step 18: Don't bother with it on the field.
When you go out to play, inspire your teammates by leaving everything you have on the field.Every time you play.Push through the pain, rely on your training, and make sure that you never finish a game wondering if you could have played harder.Make sure your team has the best chance of winning.