Team first, trophy second.

Coach here — I want to talk to you like I talk to my team between drills and after games. Winning a trophy feels great, but what really lasts is how we treat each other and how we grow together. When we put the team first, we learn to be brave, kind, and steady. That makes every player better, even when the scoreboard doesn’t show it. Think of the team as something bigger than any single game: it’s where friends cheer, where mistakes become lessons, and where everyone gets a chance to shine.

Putting the team first doesn’t mean you stop trying to win. It means you try to win the right way. When you help a teammate up, pass the ball instead of hogging it, or say “good job” after a messy play, you build trust. Coaches notice effort and character more than you think, and teammates remember how you made them feel. Hard moments — missed shots, lost games, or tough feedback — become easier when you know you’re part of a group that supports you. Also, focusing on teamwork helps you bounce back faster because you’re not carrying everything alone; you’ve got people beside you.

Here are short, powerful phrases to keep in your pocket. Say them to yourself, to a teammate, or to the whole team when things get hard or when you want to lift someone up: - “We’ve got each other.” “Try again — I believe in you.” “Mistakes help us learn.” “Take one breath.” “Help before you win.” “Share the credit.” “You belong here.” “Do your best, not perfect.”

Those phrases are simple, but they work. Use them when someone misses a shot, when nerves make you freeze before a play, or when a teammate feels left out. You can pick one phrase to be the team’s phrase for the season — say it after warm-ups, during timeouts, or when you huddle. The more you hear it, the more it becomes part of how you act. Coaches and captains can remind everyone to use the phrase, and younger players learn from the examples older kids set.

Finally, remember this is practice for life. Learning to put the team first builds trust, kindness, and leadership. It helps you handle hard times because you’ll practice leaning on others and offering help back. Be proud of small everyday choices: passing when it’s right, congratulating someone who made a good play, or taking a breath when you feel panicked. Those are the wins that don’t fit on a shelf but shape who you are. I’m cheering for you — for the teammate you’ll be, not just the trophy you might win.