When you analyze soccer’s most successful teams during the last decade I can guarantee that you will find most of the head coaches of those successful teams have readily admitted that a big key to their teams success came down to the leaders they had within their locker room.
As head coach myself, I’m convinced that you too will understand that effective team leaders such as “great captains” are a necessity because a great team captain can be the heart and soul for any successful team.
Today I want to help you to identify the right captain for your soccer team and what you as head coach should be looking for when you hand the armband over to an individual on your team.
Great Team Captains Should be an Extension of You:
Some of my best team captains in the past have been players who think and behave in similar ways to me. When you choose a captain you need to look for someone on your team who knows your philosophy and understands the way you want the team to play. You need a captain who can keep the team focused on the field while you’re on the sidelines.
Manchester City head coach- Pep Guardiola, always talks about how every team needs someone who can be a voice in the locker room and a captain that can hold teammates accountable both on and off the field.
If you’re a head coach then finding a player on your team who works hard, communicates well with others and encourages their teammates in difficult situations are things to look out for when choosing the perfect captain.