Success demands having competitive players. Back in the day, somebody described a kid saying, "he was always the kid picked first in pickup games, no matter what the sport."
Coaches want those guys. The best coaches excel in identifying, developing, and using that guy. As a player, be that guy.
Trust. From Boston Sports Journal, guest columnist Gregg Cosell said, "What do defensive coaches always talk about? They want to be able to trust their players. Sometimes they may not put the best athlete on the field because another guy can go out there, and they know that he won't make mistakes." Coaches 'need' to believe that the player will make the right decision and make the play in the moment.
Ascending players. UNC Women's Soccer Coach Anson Dorrance had an expression "continual ascension." Coaches want players who keep developing. Sometimes a program has problems because a prospect becomes a suspect. The player doesn't make the transition from a tiger cub into a tiger.
Competitive character. Brad Stevens talks about competitive character, the skill and will to be impactful. You've heard it said other ways such as 'foxhole guy', the person you want next to you in the foxhole.
So far as every team goes, I speak with an outsider's perspective. Being at practice regularly allows coaches to see dimensions like leadership, mentoring, teamwork, supportiveness, and other intangibles. Young players can absolutely contribute beyond expectations with competitive character.
Lagniappe. Get help...and give it. Young players...as Mr. Rogers said, "look for the helpers." Veterans, give help because you want to be a champion.
Lagniappe 2. Foxhole guy (from ChatGPT):
In sports, being a "foxhole guy" means being the kind of teammate others want beside them in the toughest moments—the pressure situations, the grind-it-out games, the times when things aren’t going well. The metaphor comes from the idea of being in a literal foxhole during war: you're under fire, stakes are high, and trust is everything. A foxhole guy doesn't flinch, complain, or look for a way out. Instead, they stay focused, bring calm or intensity when needed, and always put the team first. They're dependable under pressure, emotionally steady, and often make the hard plays that don’t show up in the box score.
More than skill, being a foxhole guy is about character. Coaches and teammates value these players because they lead through example, hold themselves accountable, and help others stay grounded. They might not be the loudest voice in the locker room or the flashiest player on the court, but when the game is on the line, they’re the ones you trust to do their job, support their teammates, and compete with toughness and composure.
