“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” –Phil Jackson

Take it from Phil Jackson: Being the best teammate you can be is one of the most important aspects of sports. Team chemistry, believing one another, and working towards the common goal wins championships. That said, being a team player is easier said than done. Here are 7 ways to be the best teammate out there.

Remind Each Other of the Common Goal

You and your teammates all have a common goal to win. Reminding each other of these goals during long practices, hard lifts, and tedious fundamental workouts helps push each other to keep striving to work their hardest and remember what they're working towards because it's towards a common goal.

Related: Goals You Should Be Setting as an Athletic Recruit

Remember: You're Not Their Coach

Giving your teammates the constructive criticism you believe they need can definitely be helpful. The trick is to communicate it in a way that is not construed as overbearing or assertive. Leave that to your coaches–it's their job to critique and your job to be constructive.

Don't Compare Yourself

This goes especially for the teammates you share a position with. Working hard on your own skills and competing with yourself will benefit you and the bond with your teammates. Tracking their mistakes, wondering why they are playing over you, or judging their personal game will only distract you from what you should be working on. 

Related: What Makes a Good Teammate

Build Their Confidence

Along with working for a common goal, building your teammates' confidence up will only improve the team's chances of coming out on top. Believing in one another, knowing their capabilities, and making them realize their capabilities will allow them to reflect positive energy on everyone else and play with skill assurance.

Listen to your Teammates

Listening to constructive criticism and your teammates' perspectives can benefit your game in ways you never imagined. They could be noticing very minimal aspects of your performance that you can't see but could make a big difference. Being open minded to new information will help you to grow as a player. 

Related: 19 Signs That Your Teammate is Struggling With Their Mental Health

Celebrate Their Successes

Support your teammates and celebrate the success they have the way you'd want them to celebrate yours. Showing positive reinforcement also sets the example for others to follow when creating a close knit and supportive atmosphere. 

Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits

Make Time for Each Other Outside of Sports

Bonding outside of practice and team activities can develop the team chemistry on the field as well. Getting to know each other in different aspects of life helps to better understand individual strengths, weaknesses, and thought processes. Learning more about these things (and your teammates as people) can make the team work more fluidly.

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* Originally published on December 15, 2022, by Sarah Gunderson