There’s No Room For Jealousy On A Genuine Team

You’ve been there. You’ve seen it. You couldn’t believe your eyes.

Remember that group of athletes who looked great on paper, but couldn’t play as a team? Despite all the talent, they couldn’t live up to potential.

The coach couldn’t make it happen. Neither could lip service from everyone else.

I’ve played a team that made it to a World Series. I’ve also been on a high school championship team. Those were genuine teams. Nobody could shake our confidence or outwork us.

I’ve also played on teams that were stopped in their tracks before they ever had a chance to gel. There were bad seeds among us — athletes in it for themselves with no concern about winning or losing.

The bottom line? Those groups fell apart because of one thing: jealousy within the ranks.

Once it takes hold, jealousy can ruin a team. Mistrust, backstabbing, grumbling and complaining can start a downfall that is very difficult to stop.

The answer? Coaches and parents must set the expectations as well as the example.

Coaches can contribute to the remedy by telling the group what he or she expects and what will happen if any individual dares to damage the team’s cohesiveness.

Parents can be strong influences by not allowing jealousy to infiltrate the team’s support group. They must accept that when the team is under the guidance of the coach at practices or games, their role is to be as supportive of the other players as they are of their own.

Coming together is a way to ensure that the team can reach its potential. But when jealousy is permitted to seep in, no athlete has the chance to enjoy the benefits of being on a real team.