CAN YOU HEAR IT?

DeAngelo Wiser

I kept hearing that voice, not on the field, but from the bench and the sidelines. No, she wasn’t a Captain or Designated Leader, she had never started a game and when you added up her minutes, it wasn’t all that much. But here I was again, hearing all the right words in a positive and encouraging tone, making key points about where a player was positioned and where they should relocate. I went silent and just listened. Everything she said was on point. I reminded myself that her Dad was a coach. Why wouldn’t she know how to coach. That’s when I decided to take advantage of her ability and insight to help our team. Why not create a new position, Sideline Player/Coach?

No, I wasn’t taking away her uniform or her ability to play, I was just taking advantage of her knowledge and positivity while she was on the sidelines. Why? Let’s face it, players often listen and trust their teammates more than they do us. If what she says or suggests impacts her teammates in a positive way that’s a resource I couldn’t ignore.

Honestly, I had never thought about or been brave enough to see a leader from this perspective. Often our Captains are players who play every minute and have the most skill. However, if you’ve coached for an extended period of time, you’ve also been disappointed in their impact and results because they have little patience with their teammates inability on the field. Their brashness can be a turn off for other players, regardless of what they say.

I want to make one point very clear. I am not here to beat up on Captains. I’ve had some of the best. My point is that there may be someone you never considered on your team who can compliment that Captain’s Role giving your team an advantage in coming together, playing with more enthusiasm and learning from one of their own.

When you look down that bench in moments of despair during a game, look at it in a different light and see that one player who can make a difference long before you go down on the scoreboard. Remember, it’s not always about who you can put in the game, it’s who can impact their teammates even from the sidelines.

I wish you and your team the best!