Flagpole wrote:
Motivation wrote:I am a captain this year and I was wondering how I can get my team really pumped to run and I wnat them to run in the summer. We only have like 3 guys really committed and I'd like to have 10 guys really committed because I see high potential. Thank you for all suggestions.
Your team has a culture problem.
You need to start with the freshmen unfortunately for you to get the culture really going. It should be well known where you all meet and at what time (5 days a week minimum) to run as a team. You can't MAKE them go, but you create the atmosphere where they WILL go. Pitch to the freshmen that this is a great way to bond with upperclassmen teammates before school even starts and that all of you will have their backs at school.
1. The big thing to remember is you can't make them go. If you tell them they SHOULD go or HAVE TO go, they won't want to. If you tell them they CAN come you're more likely to succeed.
2. Don't worry about getting specific kids so much. Numbers is the big thing. 10 guys is too few. Yeah a few guys can make a good team for a couple years but big committed teams year after year is the key to a successful program. Even if your team is 50 people you want all 50 to buy into the program.
3. You've gotta be friends, not necessarily best friends but you need to feel comfortable seeing them outside of practice.
4. Make it fun.