Blog 16: Advisory Meeting #2

“I am not judged by the number of times I fail, but by the number of times I succeed; and the number of times I succeed is in direct proportion to the number of times I can fail and keep on trying.” -Tom Hopkins

Answer #2: Teamwork! (were you really surprised?)

• Although there are many sports, softball in high school is the ideal sport that teaches teens the importance of teamwork because of the specific jobs each position has.

3 details to support the answer (a detail is a fact and an example)

• "Talent without teamwork = trouble," said Jeff Jenssen, a well-team known expert in the area of team-building that done a lot of work with folks coaching softball. This is very true and it goes for all sports, teams don't win on talent alone. Talent gives you a greater chance of winning but doesn't really guarantee you anything. 
• Success is built on talent and teamwork. The team as a whole have common characteristics such as: 

1. Common goal shared by all like winning C.I.F.
2. Commitment
3. Complementary roles (various individuals taking pride  in filling specific roles)
4. Clear communication
5. Constructive conflict
6. Cohesion (players like and respect each other)

Success is not random, it just doesn't happened like this. It's the results of many things and one of them is: good and successful coaching.

• Learning to work as part of a team is essential to success in many other areas. Children have to learn to cooperate both at home and school. In school students are expected to work together without conflict and many teachers use cooperative groups to teach just that. At home children are expected to be part of the family team and help with chores that need to be done. And when they are older, these children may have a job that requires teamwork, only rarely does a person work in job that does not require working with others. Office workers have to work together to accomplish the tasks given to them. Construction workers have to be part of a team effort to finish buildings on time and on budget.

The research source (s) to support your details and answer.

• "Coaching Softball - What Makes A Championship Team?" Coaching Softball - What Makes A Championship Team? N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. <http://www.softballperformance.com/coaching-softball-what-makes-a-championship-team/>.
• "The Power of Teamwork." Competitive Advantage: Sports Psychology and Mental Toughness. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. <https://www.competitivedge.com/power-teamwork>.
• "Teamwork in Sports | Fullerton ASA Softball League." Fullerton ASA Softball League. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2014. <http://www.fullertonasasoftball.com/2013/06/13/teamwork-in-sports/>.

Concluding Sentence

• Teamwork is something that must be a high priority and given constant attention. Every player needs to understand how important it is for them to work smoothly together if they want to be successful. Each player must be dedicated to the whole team and be willing to act unselfishly. When challenges arise (as they always do), the team needs to have the resources, accountability and commitment to deal with them in a constructive and positive manner. A sense of teamwork will play an integral part in this. T.E.A.M. - Together Everyone Achieves More!