In my book, talent is not only judged by athletic ability but also by character. In order to be a talented athlete, one must be a team player. Now, we hear this phrase - be a team player -over and over again from our coaches, but do you really know what it means to be a team player?

A team player is someone who supports everyone on the team. Regardless of the sport, there are always ways to support teammates: cheering when they are up to bat, high-fiving them after making a foul shot, or celebrating with them in the end zone after a touchdown, are just a few examples. The support that a team player exhibits is not only expressed on the playing field. This support is endless. A team player supports their teammates when they have difficult things going on in their life. Whether it is sending a text message or giving them a phone call just to let them know that you are there for them if they need it. Team players support their teammates in the classroom, helping others in need or even asking for help.

A team player is someone who is selfless. Playing on a large team in a sport that only has room for nine starting players is never an easy task. It takes a certain type of person to be able to show up to practice day in and day out knowing that the may never see the field this season. A team player accepts their role on the team. A selfless team player is a person who will make their teammates better. It may be staying after practice with a teammate and working on certain drills to get extra reps in or pushing them to work harder during practice. A team player understands their responsibility on this team and what their role is to make the team succeed.

A team player is someone who works hard. A team player can be determined before the season even starts, during the off-season. The off-season is the time that players have the ability to be lazy and not work out. Some may gain weight and lose their hand-eye coordination skills. The team player will bust their butt in the off-season to get better. This person knows that nothing worth achieving comes easy. They put the time and effort in to better themselves; while bettering themselves, they are also bettering the team as a whole. The team player also works hard during practice and games. You can see the passion and love for the support in their eyes.

A team player is someone whom people can trust. Being able to confide in someone off the field leads to an athlete's success. When you can trust your teammate and know that you can tell them anything or vent to them whenever you need, it builds a bond that transfers over to the field. Trusting someone off the field usually means you can also trust them on the field. You can trust them to get you out of the tough situation in the game where bases are loaded and the winning run is on third. You can trust them to lift your spirits after you let a goal in, or after you strikeout. A team player is a trustworthy player.

A team player is someone who believes in their team. Do you see yourself and your teammates standing on the field holding up the championship trophy with smiles on your faces? Do you see your team screaming and cheering with their rally caps on knowing that they will score the winning run? If you don't believe you are going to achieve these dreams as a team, they will never happen. A team player believes in their teammates individually and as a unit as a whole. Do you actually want to win a national championship or are you just saying that you want to win a national championship, since that's what is expected of you? If you say you're going to do it, you better believe in it. Believe with all of your heart that you are going to achieve your goals as a team.

Being a team player is something that comes naturally to some while it may have to be instilled in others. It is important among all members of the team to remember why they decided to join a team-oriented sport. You did not sign up for an individual sport, so don't act like an individual. Be a team player.