Selecting The Right Captain[s]
Dear Durable Minds,
As a coach, I’m struggling to identify the best method for selecting team captains. Should it be a vote, my decision, or earned through performance? Durable Minds, can you provide insights on this? -Decisions Decisions
“Leadership is not a rank or a position, it is a choice - a choice to look after the person to the left of us and the person to the right of us.” - Simon Sinek
Dear Decisions Decisions,
Teams with strong, effective leaders—such as captains—gain a significant advantage over those without formal leadership. Captains serve as a vital bridge between coaches and players, ensuring smooth communication and cohesive team dynamics. They inspire teammates, help maintain focus on shared goals, and model accountability.
Research highlights the impact of athlete leadership—whether formal or informal—in fostering team cohesion, resilience, and collaboration, ultimately driving improved performance. Furthermore, involving players in the leadership selection process enhances their sense of ownership and commitment to team objectives. Without a captain’s guidance, teams are more likely to struggle with direction, unity, and motivation, making it difficult to achieve peak performance.
Four Key Questions When Selecting Captains
1. How many captains do I need?
The number of captains depends on your team size and coaching structure. You want to avoid having too many "cooks in the kitchen," but at the same time, ensure there are enough leaders to support the team both on the field and during practices.
2. Should captains represent the team as a whole, or should there be position-specific captains?
This is a great question. It’s important to define the necessary leadership skills for a captain to support any player, regardless of position. For example, a captain should be able to run general conditioning drills. However, it may also be beneficial to have a position-specific captain to provide specialized leadership during competition. For instance, a defensive captain can help with defensive strategies during games. The key is to identify both the general leadership qualities and the specialized skills required for the role.
3. What if I don’t see any of my players meeting the leadership criteria I expect?
This is possible, but it’s unlikely that no potential leaders exist within your team. One solution is to delay captain selection until after preseason. Use this period to develop leadership potential by providing knowledge, skills, and opportunities to lead. We often assume that players inherently understand leadership, but leadership is a learned skill—just as in professional settings where coaches and mentors help individuals grow into leadership roles.
4. Should captains be chosen by the coaches, by a team vote, or a combination of both?
If coaches select the captain, you ensure the right person meets expectations and handles responsibilities. However, this risks losing player buy-in. On the other hand, if players vote, the selection process might become a popularity contest, potentially overlooking crucial leadership qualities such as accountability.
A balanced approach is best: create a hybrid selection method that combines player voting with coach input. This ensures that captains are both respected by their peers and meet the necessary leadership criteria.
5 Best Practices for Selecting Team Captains
1. Clearly Define the Role
Outline captain responsibilities both on and off the field. If incorporating player voting, consider using an electronic survey with the following components:
A list of roles and responsibilities, with examples if necessary.
A dropdown menu listing all players, allowing teammates to vote while coaches assess peer perspectives.
Once votes are submitted, coaches can review the results to inform their decision.
2. Conduct Interviews
In addition to team voting, hold individual interviews with candidates to assess their leadership philosophy and commitment. Just because a player shows leadership potential does not mean they want the formality and responsibility of the role.
3. Incorporate Leadership Challenges
Provide opportunities for athletes to demonstrate leadership, such as organizing practices or leading team discussions. These activities help coaches identify natural leaders in action.
4. Use a Hybrid Voting Method
Combine player voting with coach selection to balance objectivity and team trust. Ultimately, coaches should have the final say, but ensure players know their input was valued in the decision-making process.
5. Communicate and Congratulate
Once captains are selected:
Meet with them to reinforce their responsibilities.
Announce the selections to the team, emphasizing the expectations tied to the role.
Share the news with parents and fans to foster broader support.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a captain is one of the most critical decisions for shaping your team’s culture and success. By implementing intentional strategies and setting clear expectations, you empower your leaders and strengthen team unity. Asking the right questions and considering your team's unique needs ensures captains who inspire and elevate those around them.
Leadership isn’t just about a title—it’s about making a difference. Invest in the process, and you’ll cultivate not only a strong team but a lasting legacy of leadership.
Your success is our goal. Durable Minds is here to help you navigate the path to peak performance—on and off the field. Click here and scroll to Check out our Leadership Level 1 Workshops for your newly appointed Captains.
