ABSTRACT
On many sport teams, a hierarchy of status and importance is often perceived, promoted, and reinforced, but in a caring and task-involving climate, all efforts are made to help everyone involved on the team realize the importance of each athlete’s personal contribution to the team. These roles may be very different, but the unique impact that each brings to the team should be noted and apparent to all. For everyone to perceive that all bring value to the team, coaches on a frequent basis have to identify the small things that athletes bring to the team that could be easily overlooked. This chapter provides many strategies to make all athletes feel they play an important role on the team like recognizing a commitment to give high effort at all times, a deep desire to improve skills, and a maturity in dealing with diversity. Further, strategies for how to communicate diverse roles among and between athletes, are also highlighted.
