A team is as good as its leader. The phrase is always been used when talking about captains and coaches whether the team has lost or emerged victoriously in a game or a tournament. The decision-making plays a crucial role whether it is on the field or off the field. However, in every sport it is not the captain who holds all the cards but the coach or manager. The power that a captain or a coach holds differs from sport to sport. Here is a look at different games where either of the two or both call the shots.
Cricket is a game where the captain controls the game and 10 other players on the field when fielding. While coaches help in improving players' techniques in the training session, discuss strategies for different players in the opposition team, the buck stops with the skipper.
Cricket
The captain is taking the decision on the field whether it is fielding placement, bowling changes or which player to use in the powerplay overs. Similarly, the captain can tinker with the batting lineup as well as he/she deems fit. Even when there is a collective failure of the team to keep up with the over rate, it is the captain who gets penalised and not the coach.
However, things are changing in cricket as well. Often, instructions are sent from the dressing room or dugout in the form of codes. The most recent example is Sri Lankan coach Mickey Arthur using numbers and alphabets to tell the captain Dasun Shanaka about matchups (strategy discussed beforehand to tackle a particular batter).
In addition, the franchise has had a huge impact in tilting the decision-making capabilities in coach’s favour. In franchises leagues like Indian Premier League (IPL), even before the captain is roped in, it is the coach making discussions about which player to pick in the auction for the upcoming season. For example, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) picked their captain Faf du Plessis in the auction but head coach Sanjay Bangar already had a list of players to bid for. Not just during the season, the franchise coaches are charged with identifying new talents to invest on off-season.
Football
In a fast-paced game like football, the coach/manager’s responsibilities and decision-making power is greater than that of a captain. Football is a game where players are given specific roles for a particular part of the game. It is easier for the manager to take the decisions as he is continuously observing everything that goes on in the middle. Compared to cricket, football managers are much more animated and even found arguing with referees over certain calls. The best example is AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho.
In a 90-minute game (excluding extra time), the team manager decides if the formation needs to be changed midway through the game. Also, the manager needs to ensure when to bring in substitutes. These changes are not just made as per strategies but injuries and fatigue come into play as well. Most of times, it is the manager who answers the media. In various leagues across the world, managers decided which player they want to trade or spend big bucks on someone like Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe etc when the transfer window is open.
F1
From the outside, it looks like the driver in the seat is making all the decisions but it is an illusion. There is no coach or captain in the sport. At breakneck speeds, it is the racing engineer who tells the driver when to box to get a new set of tyres. The driver regularly communicates with the racing engineer on the car’s performance and whether he/she is facing any problems in braking, accelerating, cornering etc.
But the ultimate responsibility of a F1 team likes with its principal. F1 is one of the few games where a lot of money is involved to keep the team afloat. The principal deals with the CEO who is investing his/her money into the team. An F1 team has two main drivers and two standbys. The principal decides which driver needs to be released after a season or demoted during. The replacement of a driver is also decided by the principal.
There are times in a race when the best performing driver of a team needs to get ahead of his teammate in order to help the team’s standing in driver’s championship. At times, former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas had to let Lewis Hamilton pass on the instruction of Toto Wolff. The driver gives his inputs as well and plays a big role in changes made to the engine to improve car’s performance on the track.
Basketball
Basketball does not just feature a coach and a captain but a general manager as well. This applies for basketball leagues and not international basketball where captain and coach have more power. The general manager’s main job is to form the squad and look for best possible replacements during transfer window. The coach decides which player will take the field. As basketball is a fast-paced game, the coach devises strategies and makes changes during the game. The sport has rolling substitutes and the coach decides which player to bench or send in. On the other hand, the captain makes instant decisions on the field and implements the strategies on the court.
Tennis
Tennis is played in singles and doubles format. The onus is on the player and in tournaments like US Open, Australian Open and others there is no captain. The captains are present in tournaments like Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup where a group of players represent their country. Unlike many sports, in tennis a non-playing member can be appointed as captain.
The coach does not have much say in the decision a tennis player makes on the court. The coach’s main job is to help improve the player’s technique during the practice sessions. A coach is not even allowed to give tips during a match whether it is audible or visual communication. For example, Tennis star Serena Williams got penalised as she was accused of taking coaching during the game. If a coach is found coaching during a match, the chair umpire can fine the player up to five thousand dollars. However, in women’s tennis, a player is allowed to receive coaching if needed once per set.
Badminton
Like Tennis, badminton is played in singles and double format. Captains are only appointed in tournaments like Thomas Cup, Uber Cup, Commonwealth Games where nations compete against each other. Similarly, captains are appointed in Premier Badminton League as well but there are franchises instead of countries.
The captain and coach decide which player will feature in singles and doubles encounters. Unlike tennis, a coach has a lot of say during the match. A coach can give instructions to the player on a regular basis and devises strategies during the breaks.
Hockey
Parallels can be drawn between hockey and football when talking about roles of captains and coaches. Like basketball, hockey has rolling substitutes as well and the coach decides which player will come into play at what stage of the game. The captain’s job is to lead the team on the field.
