Filling in as Captain

[eulogy01]

Just curious as to how many of you assume the captain's role in between periods and in the locker room. You know, the motivational speech, the angry rant or the game plan.

[MillerTime247]

I do on the ice (talking to officials, etc.). I tend to be the only one on any of the teams I've played for who can hold a rational, non-expletive filled conversation with the officials.

I also try to point out strategery 'n stuff to the guys in front of me when I can. Mostly simple stuff like, stay on-side, try not to pinch in to deep, is a little defense asking to much?

Most of the time I leave the ranting and raving in the room or on the bench to someone else.

[Timberwoof]

I do that.

I tend not to talk to officials much about the way the game is going, but I'm not afraid to ask them questions about rules or ask them to watch out for certain behavior of certain other players.

I once subbed for another team, and played against the Wolf Pack. I really admired the Wolf Pack's general strategy ... they beat us pretty badly. So when I went back to my team -- to play against the Wolf Pack -- I had a talk in the locker room before the game. I explained the opposing team's strategy and what my teamies had to do about it. And they did!

Another team I was on had a practice but the promised coach didn't show up, so I offered to coach them. They didn't know what to make of me as a coach -- they didn't really respect me as a goalie either -- so I started the practice with skating drills. I outskated half of them, and left them all behind going backwards. They paid attention after that ... and some of what I taught tem showed up in the next game.

Tonight was my first practice with my new team. It wasn't very well organized, kind of loose and floppy, so I organized some drills to teach two-man and one-man dekes. I also demanded some personal attention so I could practice certain saves. I may have annoyed some players who wanted to do full-ice scrimmage ... but I think they understand my need for drills, too.

On the way home I thought about the conflicting demands of being the team's coach and goalie. As goalie, I need to sharpen my concentration and skills, which means thinking about what I'm doing, and working hard to stop all their shots. As coach I need to conentrate on what they're doing, and allow the weaker playes to make goals while learning new techniques.

(To explain that, I'll fall back on my Judo experience. Sure a black belt judoka could easily prevent a white belt from ever throwing him ... but how's the white belt ever going to learn the throws that way?)

Part of it is having people's respect -- having them believe in your knowledge and abilities and be willing to do the drills you ask them to do. And in game situations, earning the refs' respect if the designated captain is a hothead. And part of it is balancing the needs of the two roles.

Respect comes with honesty and time. I'm working on the balance part.

[barnhart_goalie]

I'm the assistant captain on my team (the only goaltender with an "A" in my league) My team isn't that experienced, I usually set up simple plays, and every once in a while give them tips on scoring since I see the flaws in the opposing goaltender. My captain isn't going to be at our game this Friday so I'm taking the role of captain for a game. No big change its just I have to talk a little bit more than usual.

[Theif]

Good thread.

I would say that I am one of the "captains" on our team. I'm most often the most vocal in encouraging and motivating the team. I also help in designing plays and offering advice.

When I first started with my team, they weren't very receptive to any of my comments or advice because "I'm just some goalie". But after a few years now, they've recognized that I know what I'm talking about. It's a good role for me.

However, I've found that this places a lot of extra pressure on me. Sometimes it's good to just show-up at the rink and only have to worry about yourself stopping pucks. I sometimes find it a distraction to have to observe other things during the course of the game and plan how to approach the players between periods. It's tough to have an extra burden. I guess it's part and parcel for being a leader on the team, though.

[Vision]

Originally posted by barnhart_goalie
I'm the assistant captain on my team (the only goaltender with an "A" in my league)

Are you playing in a USA Hockey sanctioned league or one of it derivitives? Because if you are then you can't, by rule, wear let alone act as a captain.

That said it doesn't prevent you from filling the advisory role that the captain is also supposed to serve. I do it for a number of the teams that I play for. I can see the whole ice all the time and am able to dissect problems that are happening. I have the respect of my team(s) as I don't scream and holler at them but calmly explain problems and/or areas of concern as I see them.

[leaferguy]

I'm not a captain on my team, nor do I pretend to be one. What I have noticed is my team REALLY knows how to **** off the ref. So what do I do? Well, no matter what, I only have polite conversations with the ref. Whenever I freeze the puck, I pick it up with my glove and give it to him (also after goals). Also, I always point out things that might save him/her some time such as an open door, an off-center net (roller), and debris on the rink. If I can, I'll fix the stuff myself, but if not, I tell the ref.

[barnhart_goalie]

Its not really sanctioned at all (my league) I could have a "C" and nobody would say anything. I actually should have a "C" I'm the one on the team with the most experienced on the team and I know more about hockey in general than everyone else, but I settled for the "A" it doesn't really matter to me. Well I'd sit here and give more input but I gotta run, got to get the equipment together for tonight! Later.

[stollie_the_goalie]

I take on the captain's role, and I do more than the captain does. I find that in minor hockey, the captain of the team is usually the one that scores the most goals, not the motivational and strategical leader.

I am the only one that can talk to the officials without getting an unsportsmanlike penalty, so I usually do that. I am also the one that makes suggestions to the coach, tells my team what they're doing right or wrong, how they can improve, and I am the only one that will stand up in the locker room and nitpick about all of our play (even, and especially, mine).

Too bad nobody ever names the goalie captain. Probably because everybody hates me because I'm the only one that acts the least bit serious and mature.

[Timberwoof]

There are a lot of rules in USA Hockey that really insult goalies' skating abilities. Most of the rules that restrict what a goalie is allowed to do are based on the assumption that goalies can't skate fast enough:

• You can't skate to the bench to get your own stick.
• You can't be captain of the team.
• Oh, hell, I forget the rest, but they're there.

[Pegleg pete 31]

I was a captain of a roller hockey team for three years, that was enough for me. Anybody in a men's league knows how much a pain in the *** it is to coordinate everything. I'll never do it again. On the other hand, I'm still a vocal leader. I think the uniqueness of the position allows a goalie to say things that others can't.

[leafy_1331]

i've taken a captian role on my lacrosse team to a point, on the bench after the game, bus ride, locker room etc i tend to be more vocal, discussing individual points and general stradegy with the team, or just trying to boost team spirit

i help coach with our jr varsity team occasionally, coach does the on field yelling and i do the individual one-on-one talks with the players on the bench, or during halves

usually discuss opposition stradegy if i know it

and yes, i can converse with the ref without blowing up, infact, i like the one ref that refs all our games, very friendly (it's her first reffing year as well)

[big dog daddy]

I would say I qualify as an unofficial team captain. I also point out what is going on in front of me. I also point out when we are in their offensive zone if we need someone infront of their goalie, move the puc to the point/slot etc.. My team has no problem with this, I also talk to the ref when I can. I am not allowed to speak to them about anything official since I don't(can't) wear the "A" or "C".

I was also wondering something. At the rink I play at I am the only goalie who seems to talk to his team while plays are going on. Am I strange or am I just using too much of my soccer backround.

BDD

[jens_iceman]

Well a little chat with the players in between the periods can do miracles, mostly, not every time .
Mostly first of all I try to motivate them and I say look e.g. there's always a free man in front of the goal, or stuff like that.
And before we come out of the locker room we give each other a big loud yell and on we go, and this infact has changed a lot of games soo far.

[blackman34]

I would definitely say that I take on some of the captain's roles for my team. I've always given tips and strategies in the locker room, but this season it was sort of brought to a new level. my team was awful, and 1/2 way thru the season I sent out an email that basically said "shape up or ship out." I phrased it very nicely, but basically said what everyone had been thinking.

since then, I've been asked to post a recap after every game as to how we did and what we need to do. It's resulted in much better communication, organized practices, and we even started a penalty fund, wherein a player has to pay a dollar for every minute he sits in the box (I'm pretty proud of that one!). then the money goes to a team party at the end of the season.

But overall, I'd say as a result of that email, my standing with the team has greatly improved (not that it was ever bad), and people look up to me more than before.

it's a great role to have- if you're willing to handle it.