4. Show Resilience
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from a setback. Every athlete has setbacks. Losses, slumps, illness, injury, and plain old bad days happen to everyone. But you can make a decision to be resilient, which is simply a decision to always get back up no matter what. Your teammates and coaches will trust you and respect you all the more when they see you rise up after a fall.
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from a setback. Every athlete has setbacks. Losses, slumps, illness, injury, and plain old bad days happen to everyone. But you can make a decision to be resilient, which is simply a decision to always get back up no matter what. Your teammates and coaches will trust you and respect you all the more when they see you rise up after a fall.
5. Show Integrity
Integrity is a combination of honesty, ethics, and reliability. Athletes with integrity tell the truth. They refuse to cheat. If they say they will do something, they do it. For obvious reasons, integrity is essential for earning the trust of your teammates.
6. Show Respect
Respect means treating people with courtesy and consideration. It is a simple virtue which is too often forgotten. Respectful athletes always take a moment to make sure they listen and speak to people with respect. This earns them trust, especially during challenging conversations.
“Look for players with character and ability. But remember, character comes first. “ - Joe Gibbs, Head Coach, Washington Redskins.
7. Show Responsibility
Responsibility means fulfilling your duties to the team. It means showing up for workouts and competitions on time and prepared to perform. It also means managing schoolwork and other important priorities along with athletics. Responsible athletes earn trust because their teammates know they can depend on them to deliver.
8. Show Service
There are two kinds of athletes when it comes to service: me-first and team-first. Me-first athletes believe it is the job of their teammates and coaches to serve them. Team-first athletes believe it is their job to serve their teammates and coaches. Team-first athletes earn trust.
9. Show Loyalty
It is one thing to serve the team when things are going well. It is quite another thing to serve the team when things are going south. Loyalty means sticking with your team during difficult times. Loyal athletes earn the trust of their teammates.
10. Show Honor
Honor is the practice of holding the team in very high regard – and acting accordingly. This means representing the team well in competition. It also means representing the team well in school and the broader community. Honorable athletes never do anything to dishonor themselves or their team.
Elevation (For reflection and discussion)
1.
Why do you think Joe Gibbs (see quote) advises coaches to look for character before ability?
2.
Do you agree that personal character is the most important force on a team? Why or why not?
3.
Which of the ten winning practices are you already doing? Which ones need more attention?
4.
How can the ten winning practices help you outside of sports?
5.
Can you give an example of someone on your team or in your community who is a good role model of personal character? Which winning practices do they show
1.
Why do you think Joe Gibbs (see quote) advises coaches to look for character before ability?
2.
Do you agree that personal character is the most important force on a team? Why or why not?
3.
Which of the ten winning practices are you already doing? Which ones need more attention?
4.
How can the ten winning practices help you outside of sports?
5.
Can you give an example of someone on your team or in your community who is a good role model of personal character? Which winning practices do they show