No matter your talent level, athletic ability, or skillset, everyone can be a good teammate. You can be a good teammate while playing, sitting on the bench, during practice, or off the court.

Encouraging, defending, and sometimes challenging your teammate can help build chemistry on and off the court, which will lead to more team success. We asked a few UH trainers for tips on how to put the team before yourself.

Ken Koerner - Syosset, NY: Know your role. Every player on every team has their role and must do their best to fulfill their role to help their team. Figure out your role as early as possible so you can start doing your job right away.

Kwame Ofori - Centerville, VA: There's only one rock, so share it and share it often.  Communicate, communicate, communicate.  The best teammates will be the best communicators. 

Peter Fabiano - Florham Park, NJ: Be unselfish and do whatever it takes to help your teammates during games and practices.

Cassidy Klinfelter - Folsom, CA: Become a positive, selfless leader. Hold your team to a high standard by representing by example. 

Adrian Woodard - Bergen County, NJ: Encourage your teammates and hold them accountable for their actions/play.

Bryce Lewis - Berkeley Heights, NJ: Hold yourself accountable and be willing to accept feedback. Always give maximum effort and encourage others to do the same. 

Lorenzo Orr - Lakeville, MN: Always be thoughtful and considerate to teammates, especially when they are going through bad moments in practice or in a game. This mindset will help the overall mental state of the team. 

Jonathan Nester - Franklin, TN: The way that you can become a better teammate is to be the ultimate encourager. Be supportive to your teammates when they are down, give high fives and words of encouragement. Studies have shown the best teams and teammates make the most touches with each other.

Reggie Thompson - Woodstock, GA: Always look out for your teammates, talk with your teammates and study film together. Train together and have fun. If you enjoy each other’s company, it will make playing together very simple, as it should be!

Nick Malonga - Warrenville, IL:  Encourage your teammates when they make mistakes. Mistakes will happen in a basketball game. Players tend to get down when they make mistakes. However, encouraging words can empower teammates when mistakes happen.   

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