This resource stems from a question submitted to the Ask PCA blog. Responses come from our experts including PCA Trainers, who lead live group workshops for coaches, parents, administrators and student-athletes.

"Our U-14 season starts soon, and I’m wondering how to select a team captain, or maybe to rotate that title from game to game. Any thoughts?"

PCA Response By David Jacobson (@CoachDaveJake), PCA Trainer & Senior Marketing Communications and Content Manager
PCA has identified several best practices in:

• The criteria used to name captains
• Specific responsibilities captains are given
• How captains can help establish and maintain your program’s culture.

All are important considerations that can help you succeed this season and beyond, on the field and beyond.

Rather than simply awarding the title of captain to your leading scorer or other top performer, choose a “Triple-Impact Competitor®,” who is committed to improving self, teammates and the game as a whole. As a coach, introduce the concept of the Triple-Impact Competitor during tryouts and pre-season so that players understand the basis on which you will select captains.

Other factors that can determine whom you name captain include:

• Who works the hardest in pre-season
• Who singularly goes above and beyond your expectations in terms of improving self, teammates or game
• Who might contribute even more to your team due to the psychological boost of being named captain.

For best practices on captain responsibilities and the captain's role, please see the full response by clicking the link below.

Download a printable version of this resource, including any additional commentary from PCA, by clicking the PDF below. To read more questions and answers like this, or to submit your own question to the Ask PCA blog, click here.