The Four Covenants of Great Teams

A positive experience in youth sports can be linked to important pacts, or covenants, that a player must be willing to make with themselves, their teammates, and those trying to help them. Communicate, respect, encourage, and hold your teammates accountable for the best chance at building great teams. #DailyMight

I think it’s safe to assume that every coach, player, and parent goes into a season expecting it to be successful. What success looks like will be different for each season and team, but you’d be hard-pressed to find someone involved in youth athletics who didn’t want to have a positive experience playing and coaching in youth sports. It has been my experience that a positive experience can be linked to important pacts, or covenants, that a player must be willing to make with themselves, their teammates, and those trying to help them.

The best covenant coach in history was Jesus and his team of twelve. As I have grown to know Jesus through His scripture, I’ve pulled out some covenants that Jesus made with his team – and they made with each other – that ultimately led to their success: A positive experience growing in the ways of the Lord. In a lot of ways, how Jesus modeled his covenants for His team’s success, looks a lot like success with youth sports. So without further ado.

The Four Covenants of Great Teams

1. We will strive for open and honest communication with each other. That means sometimes having hard conversations for correction, alignment, and knowledge. Our communication will always be tactful, kind, and rooted in positive growth. 1 Corinthians 14:9 
   
2. We will respect each other’s contribution to the team. Not all team members have equal skills and talents. Each of us will be entrusted with identifying our contribution to the team and maximizing it’s potential to the team and it’s success. 1 Peter 2:17
   
3. We will encourage, support, and root for each others success. Our ability to leverage each other’s support hinges on our pursuit to attain the unattainable. Rooting for others’ success does not divide the chances of our own successes, but multiplies it. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
   
4. We will hold each other accountable. If someone within the team is underperforming or appears to be having difficulties, we will reach out and ask to help and support. However, each team member will be responsible for communicating the need for help. James 5:16

Success in a team environment is complex and messy. My intention is not to minimize the characteristics of successful teams, but rather lay out – as Jesus did – the foundation as to which to build upon. You will encounter enemies during a season that will attack each of these covenants. Use these convents to defend against it.

Be On Guard (Gossip)

One last note that ties into covenant one and is worth mentioning because of it’s destructive nature. Be on guard against gossip. When conversations occur between teammates and coaches – or any combination in between – make sure all appropriate parties are present. If you have a player who comes to you with complaints and or conversation about another player, invite them both to the conversation. Same with coaches. Anything worth saying to one coach, should be said to all coaches and players. If you would be embarrassed to say it in front of someone, check your motives of why you need to say it at all. Look to Ephesians 4:29 for biblical guidance on gossip.

Establishing a great team comes from diligently working towards greatness, not luck. Use the four covenants above to base your foundation on and watch as your players and coaches thrive. It’s go time!

Give everything your everything. And then some.

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