Leadership in sports: Why not every captain is a leader

leadership in sports

On one of my high school teams, our coach did what a lot of coaches do: he named a senior captain based on seniority. The guy was a good player, a good person, but he wasn’t our leader.

There was another player on the team, a junior, who was the one we looked to. He wasn’t loud. He didn’t have the title. But he was the energy guy. He would push the tempo in practice and in games. He’d celebrate others when they made big plays. He organized team hangs outside of practice. He brought us together without trying too hard. And when the game got tough, that’s the guy that would rally us, not the one with the "C" next to his name.

There’s a lesson here that every athlete needs to hear:

You don’t need a title to lead. You just need the trust of your team.

Leadership Isn’t Given.. It’s Earned

The captain that year was given certain responsibilities, but leadership didn’t come naturally to him. It created awkward moments. He hadn’t grown into that role, and sometimes his attempts to lead came off harsh or cold, because he hadn’t built the trust, connection, or presence to back it up.

Meanwhile, the real leader, the junior, kept showing up in all the ways that matter. He didn’t complain about not being named captain. He just continued to be the guy: showing up early, leading with energy, and keeping the team connected. And even though we performed well that season, I believe we lost some of our potential by not officially recognizing that leadership from the start.

So What Actually Makes a Leader?

Real leaders on a team aren’t always the most vocal, the most talented, or the oldest. They’re the ones who:

• Create unity

• Earn respect

• Lift others up without blaming

• Understand they can’t do it alone

• Set the standard with actions

• Stay aware and connected to the whole team

• Bring energy and effort, every day

You don’t have to be perfect to lead. But you do have to be present.

Why Players Tune Out Coaches (and Why Leaders Matter)

Here’s a truth most coaches know but don’t always say out loud:

After a while, players stop hearing us.

Like the constant hum of an air conditioner, you stop noticing it. Coaches repeat the same core principles over and over because they matter. But that repetition, while necessary, can sometimes lose its punch.

A player-leader is a fresh voice. They can repeat what a coach says, but in a way that hits different. Maybe they say it simpler. Maybe they say it with more urgency. Maybe it just lands better because it’s coming from someone wearing the same jersey.

That’s why leadership in sports is so important, these leaders will translate the message.

The Quiet Leaders Often Speak Loudest

Not all leaders are yellers.

Some are quiet, but their actions are louder than words ever could be. They’re:

• The first ones to show up

• The ones grinding on off-days

• The ones giving out high fives, head taps, chest bumps

• The ones asking teammates how they’re doing, even when there’s nothing on the line

And believe me, everyone respects that.

Every Successful Team Has a Player-Leader

If you want to compete at the highest level, you need one.

Coaches aren’t on the court or the field with you. During the game, momentum swings fast, and that’s when a trusted teammate's voice can be the difference. Whether it’s calming the chaos, correcting the focus, or keeping the energy alive, a player-leader becomes the glue that keeps a team connected when it matters most.

Want to Lead? Start Here.

You don’t have to wait for someone to call you a leader. You can start becoming one today by doing simple things that leave a mark:

• Talk with every player, not just your friends

• Be encouraging

• Be first in line

• Push yourself in drills

• Be the spark when the energy drops

Pick one of these things this week. Start small. It will grow naturally.

Leading for the Right Reasons

If you want to be a leader, ask yourself:

Do you want to make everyone better… or do you want the title?

That’s the difference between leading for impact and leading for attention. One builds legacy. The other fades fast.

Final Thought: Leadership Is a Role, Not a Rank

You don’t need a coach’s blessing or a team vote to lead. You just need consistency, care, and the courage to go first. Be the person who pulls others up when they’re down. Be the voice when silence settles in. Be the energy when the room is flat.

Every team needs someone like that.

And that someone could be you.