System Goals for YOUR teams Best Operating Strategy
Helping paintball teams disperse responsibilities.
The primary goal of my ‘system’ is to disperse responsibilities so that each part of the organization can focus on just one thing, and do that one thing to the best of its ability. This creates an environment where players need focus only on playing, so they can do that to their full and best ability. This also creates pits that are compartmentalized, organized, prepared and depressurized.
Take the Bandits team as an example.
Players
The players play, that’s all they do.
Team Captain
The team captain helps to move the team where they need to be at different times. Getting the team together to stretch, organizing a huddle to motivate players, having conversations from a peer to peer standpoint. A captain is a positive leader usually elected by the player whether officially or naturally.
Pit Boss
There is a “pit boss” who runs the pits. I explained how I wanted things to run and he took it and made it his own. It is his only responsibility and he has complete authority. No one (but me) overrules him and I very very rarely overrule him.
C oach
There is a coach who owns the X’s and O’s of paintball. That is his only responsibility and he has complete authority. No one, including myself, overrules him (although he usually listens to my suggestions when I make them).
General Manager
This person is in charge of organizing the team logistics. Flights, hotels, rental cars, entry fees, itinerary and collecting fees from the players. The GM usually has financial skills and the ability to pay for things without having to collect all the dues. The GM is also involved with personnel selections and team decisions.
Nobody is trying to eat the elephant. Everyone is taking just their individual bite. The end result is a system and organization that has dispersed responsibilities and tension and is better prepared to deal with the unexpected screw-ups and general stressors of a tournament.
Not everyone has a pit boss and a coach at their disposal. So I would suggest to most teams that you target the 80% of the 80/20 rule.