How to Handle Walking onto a New Team

Being the new kid is difficult. Whether it be in a classroom or within a team. As a bit of a shy person myself, whenever I changed teams my focus was to gain the respect of my teammates. I wanted to show them I was here to help the team get better and be a good teammate on and off the field. 

There are two ways to do this: how you play on the field and how you act or carry yourself off it. 

What to Do On and Off the Field

You don’t have to be the best player on the team to earn respect. You can do it simply by working hard and having a positive attitude. Being competitive at practice and energetic with your teammates can help as well. Example: In a small-sided game at practice you get excited that your team wins and high-five a teammate for a good goal or play.  It shows you care, want to win, and support your teammates.

Off the field, I made sure I went the extra mile - helping out before or after practice (with cones, moving goals, etc), getting there early and staying late, and trying to connect with teammates, even if it was just one or two people in the beginning. 

On the flip side, if you have been a part of your current team for some time and you have new teammates, please please please be welcoming to them. You should want to anyway but another reason to do so is because if you haven’t had the experience of being ‘the new kid’ yet, you likely will at some stage, and you’ll be so grateful to those who are welcoming.

Leadership and respect are earned. It may not be easy or quick to come by, but it does come when you show up repeatedly and put in that extra effort and positive attitude. Even if situations are different and you feel out of place, that will change when you bring the same positive approach to the game as you have had before.

If you’re facing some difficulties with joining a new team, reach out and set up a session with myself or Greg Garza here at Beyond Goals Mentoring. As former pros, we’ve been there before and can help you find the best path forward for you.

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