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Friday, May 30, 2025

Basketball - Bad Teammates

I can't recall ever playing with a "bad teammate." What does that mean?

1) Bad teammates are selfish. They put their interests first, meaning that the scorebook outranks the scoreboard. There is a story about a college player taken to task for that. In a team meeting, she broke down and said that her father wouldn't talk to her if she didn't score.

Strive for the UNC Women's Soccer motto: "Excellence is our only agenda."

2) Bad teammates are credit hogs. Adam Grant's Give and Take shares real-life examples of takers. Frank Lloyd Wright didn't want to pay interns and insisted on credit for their work. Jonas Salk didn't give his team of scientists recognition for developing the polio vaccine. As a result he never received a Nobel Prize or election to the prestigious National Academy of Science. 

In print and electronic interviews, bad teammates don't credit coaches, teammates, or others who make their success possible. 

3) Bad teammates "punch down." That can manifest as physical, verbal, and psychological abuse. Don't 'dog' underclassmen or lower status teammates. 

4) Bad teammates behave dismissively toward others. Disrespecting opponents and officials is dismissive. They may seek to exclude others from group activities. Be inclusive. 

5) Bad teammates complain, blame, and make excuses. They lack commitment to the team and lack accountability. 

6) Bad teammates represent the team poorly with lack of sportsmanship and irresponsible behaviors off the court which could include interactions with media, substance use, and abusive relationships. 

Be a great teammate:

  • Team first. 
  • "Always do your best."
  • Share credit.
  • Respect everyone. 
  • Be positive and inclusive. 
  • Be accountable.
  • Show sportsmanship and class. 
Lagniappe. Build a standard of excellence into our culture. 

Lagniappe 2. Everything matters.  

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