Picking Captains - Smart Move Or Team Divider?

I have gone back and forth. Some years if I had good leaders I would use them as captains. If I did not have stand-out leaders I would choose a kid each game to meet the refs. Usually, it was based on their attitude from the previous practice.
I found I taught more about leadership to teams when I did not pick a captain. They would come asking who was going to be the captain(s). I would tell them we would not have one that year. It left a void for them to work into.
When I do have captains I give the roles in practice. I also communicate with them asking for their input on the team regularly.

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Rotation of captains is the way to go. I have used those who have shown leadership and initiative in practice, and those who emphasize teamwork and support teammates on and off the court. I have told all my potential captains that they have the right to refuse or pay it forward to another teammate if they so choose. One of my most memorable captains was a reserve player, who's basketball IQ was above many of my best players, she deconstructed opponents' defenses during half time and was able to increase teammates efficiancy. All these years later she is a quality head coach.

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I agree with Fred. I have a player who *wants* to be the captain and could likely be a good one eventually. But there are times that he's not leading (or leading as a poor example). Not often, but just enough that it's concerning.

What I realized this week is that I haven't been teaching him how to lead. That's on me.

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Players vote privately. Coaches are allowed to vote. Have 2 permanent captains and then game captains that get mixed in throughout the year to go to half court and see the refs, everyone gets a fair share.

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If you want captains to lead- you have to teach them how to lead- just like any basketball skills - it can be taught and learned by specific instruction. It is also important to empower captains. We name captains at the close of our season and they then must meet with me multiple times - weekly in the fall- to discuss roles and to learn techniques in order to be extensions of the coaching staff and pillars of the team philosophy. Captains are then given tasks beginning with organizing workouts and off season activities instead of the coaching staff handling that. it is empowering and cements their roles as go-tos among their teammates. Their credibility is established prior to the season. Of course , you must pick well and be prepared to add captains once the season starts or even game to game as seems appropriate

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Players and coaches vote. Each year, a player or parent is upset. Most high school students do not possess all the qualities and abilities to lead, therefore, multiple captains fill in each other’s weaknesses. This also, can lead to “too many” captains taking the prestige from the honor. Naming captains becomes more team dynamic concern than a leadership concern.

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