A common complaint among high school coaches is the lack of initiative shown by some of their players. Coaches expect a certain level of decision-making and independence, and more so from team captains and senior players. Developing leadership skills is a major benefit to athletes who participate at a competitive level, and taking initiative can make a real difference on game days. In this article, the author provides few simple steps to help create an environment that encourages players to step forward as leaders, and take initiative. Among other things, he emphasizes understanding the benefits of initiative among team members.