The Colts Way

The Yarmouth Colts, following the example set by the Yarmouth High School athletics program, has established a set of principles that we expect our players to strive towards. We consider this of paramount importance. These fundamentals are not only vital for continued success on the sports field but for life off it as well. These precepts have been encapsulated in "The Colts Way", a set of 10 guiding principles based on Yarmouth High School's "The Clipper Way". We have modified and expanded the latter in order to make them more relevant to the youngsters who play Colts, but have remained consistent with them. We believe that by setting standards, expectations and goals early, our players will absorb these "Ways" as they progress through our program. By the time these young men and women leave our program, these principles and associated "Ways" will be second nature to them.

For younger players (U9 to U11), the following four principles are emphasized and are the core of The Colts Way: have a good attitude, be a good sport, do your best and have fun.

1. HAVE A GOOD ATTITUDE

Keep a good attitude, even if things aren't going your way. It will help you, and your team, perform better and help you enjoy the game more. You should come to every practice and game both ready and excited to play and should keep a positive outlook even when things are not going well. Tough losses can be hard and it is alright to be disappointed by them. But you must always try to learn from a loss and, as long as your team and you did your best, then you have been successful.

2. BE A GOOD SPORT

Maintain a high standard of respect towards your teammates, coaches, opponents and referees. Remember that you represent Yarmouth! Yarmouth Colts do not trash talk or make personal comments to players or refs. If a teammate has a bad game or makes a mistake, be encouraging and don't criticize. Focus on what YOU can do better and how you can make your teammates better. If you are upset by a call from the ref, move on and concentrate on playing soccer. Whether you win, lose or draw a game, respectfully congratulate the other team's players and coaches and thank the referees after the game.

3. DO YOUR BEST

Work hard and do your best at all practices and games. There is no substitute for hard work and good things come from it. Even if your best is not as good as someone else's best, reaching your full potential is enormously important and rewarding in its own right.

4. HAVE FUN

Really enjoy what you are doing. This will have a positive effect on both you and your teammates. Love taking part in both practices and games. You'll find it contagious!


For the older players (U12 to U14), the additional six principles are emphasized:


5. DON'T COMPLAIN

Work hard at every practice and game and don't complain to your coaches or teammates. If there is a ref call that you disagree with, grumbling about it won't help. It will only distract you from the game and take attention away from what you and your teammates could be doing better. By focusing on the game and channeling your energies in a positive direction, your team will optimize their abilities.

6. DO THE SIMPLE THINGS WELL

It is not doing extraordinary things that separate the best from the rest. Rather, it is doing the simple things extraordinarily well that leads to excellence.

7. FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL

What you CAN control is the effort you put in. If you exert the maximum effort, then you'll have the opportunity to perform at your best when the chance presents itself. As John Wooden advised, we should focus on doing our best in order to become the best we are capable of. If we do that, then the rest--and winning--will take care of itself. Anything worth doing is worth doing well or to the best of your abilities.

8. TRUST YOUR TEAMMATES AND PUT THEM FIRST

Be a good teammate. Share the workload and share the results, whether good or bad. Nothing an individual can do can't be done better by a group of people working together. Do your best to make those around you better. This will allow your team to be the best it can be.

9. FOCUS ON THE NEXT PLAY

The game is ALWAYS about the next play, not the last. If you waste time worrying about what just happened then you will not be ready for what is about to happen.

10. USE YOUR STRENGTHS IN POSITIVE WAYS

Anyone can lead by example on the soccer field, and in life, which can only help your team and teammates. As an organization we endeavor to use our combined strengths to help our community and contribute in a meaningful way to others. Playing for Colts, within the larger context of our community, gives meaning to what we do and helps contribute in positive ways off the soccer field.