Teamwork in individual sports

When you think of teamwork you think of sports like football, netball, hockey and the like where the strength of the team is greater than the sum of the individuals. In those contexts the team usually exists in a club which encompasses a network of people who all contribute to the end result.

Within individual sports the concept of a team is not really defined, except perhaps on an casual basis as cooperation between a couple of athletes to help each other. Pro cycling takes this to another level with their strong team ethos - and definition - where the support and assistance of a team is the key ingredient to success, but when it comes to the crunch like in the mountains or a TT then it is still down to the individual to perform.

But the focus for this article is on the kind of teams individual athletes (and some team players) build around themselves to help their push to success. In his recent book, "I'm here to win", Macca talks a lot about "his team" (also sometimes called an "entourage") and occasionally refers to them by name to explain the role they have and the kind of reliance - and trust - Macca has in them. This is just a current example of what is common place in elite sport, in particular, however some of the same principles also filter through to grass roots and amateur sport to help individual athletes get the most from their sport.

Here's some of the ways everyday athletes can build a team to rely on, and who support their sporting endeavours...which are just examples and should not necessarily been seen as re-requisites for your best performance.

Any athlete's team starts at home because without support there you probably wouldn't be doing your sport. Family support, understanding, encouragement and more is an essential team ingredient. Additionally, your "home team" is often great for giving off-hand feedback which can be very honest, something like kids telling their dad he doesn't play with them much anymore, perhaps because he's overtrained and too tired. Don't dismiss the observations from home.

Further important team members are the other athletes a person trains with, and especially a coach who is the person directing your energy in the most effective and productive way. Training partners provide the mutual support to be out there when elements suggest otherwise, and help to lift and push you to new levels. A coach is the brains behind your effort, and voice of reason against the wave of inner fears and anxieties. Their job is to help look after your physical and tactical development, and help in achieving an optimal emotional balance to be your best when you most want to.

All athletes need sports equipment and supplies, with many items being high volume consumables. So the places you get them from are also part of your team, where you rely on their understanding, knowledge and expertise to provide you with the right things for your performance. While these days there are many options for buying these things, especially on-line, personal service can often be more valuable than the discounts sometimes available elsewhere. Your loyalty to local outlets will be returned over time, making these places and the people who run them, key team members.

We've all seen the team of medicos that accompany professional sporting teams whenever they step outside, as much with the aim of preventing problems than to help fix them up. It would be a luxury for all of us to have this level of care, but nonetheless the motto of prevention being better than cure holds true and translates into having some good medico people you can rely on to keep you in tune and balance, and should the need arise, to treat any issues. Continuity with medicos really helps so they get to know you and your body, and may also help in getting to see them quickly. A typical range of medicos includes physio and doctor, plus some variety of masseur.

Along with your team on the home front, the support and encouragement - and understanding - of your friends helps a lot in accepting the sacrifices that are part and parcel of doing individual sports without feeling like an outcast. Having friends who can help keep your feet on the ground are refreshing, and who can expand your horizon beyond the training track. As they say, all work and no play makes "Johnny" a dull boy.

Different to friends, family and even a coach, having a mentor and/or confidant can be invaluable for the wisdom and guidance they can provide. Although their background may differ from yours, the key is that they understand your journey but can also point out the alternate paths, and ask key questions that will prompt you to look inside for the answer. They are often a sounding board for ideas and theories beyond the boundaries of sport, which in turn highlights the broad range of aspects that contribute to a sporting performance.

These are just a few of the people who you might have on your "team", whether it's by formal arrangement or otherwise, who together provide the necessary backing for your performance. While it can feel empowering and stoic to go it alone, that approach is usually only sustainable for a limited time. As former US president Ronald Regan said, "By working together, pooling our resources and building on our strengths, we can accomplish great things."