How To Motivate A Football Team To Work Together

When coaching a football team, it's your responsibility to ensure that your players work together for the best result. When your team is new or has a me-first attitude, it results in selfish game play that could cause losses on the field. By stressing that you need all of the players for the team to work together, your team has better chance of success.

Step 1

Adopt a team motto that expounds upon the importance of playing together. Making a point to use that motto before games and practices helps your team realize the importance of playing as a group. A motto such as "One team, one dream" or "Win as a team, lose as individuals" might get your team excited to play and win together.

Step 2

Praise your team's efforts as a group rather than singling out an individual player. When you notice teamwork on the field, make a point to congratulate those players so the other players realize that you encourage and reward them when they play together as a team. Encourage your players to cheer for their team members to foster an environment of mutual respect and praise.

Step 3

Spread responsibility among the players to avoid looking to one or two players for leadership. When you focus on the skills of one player only, the rest of the team could become resentful. Instead, consider having co-captains or giving some other players the opportunity to run practices and call plays whenever possible so all of the members of the team have a chance to garner responsibility and respect.

Step 4

Spend time as a team outside of the football field. Practices and games are certainly necessary to your success, but social time could be just as beneficial. Arrange for team pizza and movie nights, fundraisers or even volunteer work. As your players spend time with each other on a social level, they'll come to respect each other more as teammates on the field.

Step 5

Encourage proper sportsmanship when players are dealing with each other. Insist on respect and positive feedback from your players. Avoid placing the blame of the loss on one player, even if he missed a winning touchdown, field goal or tackle. Instead, focus on what you could have done as a team to improve your chances of winning and use those observations to become a better team together.