In
sports, we often see the potential of a team and how good they can be; however,
they need that extra ‘umph’ to become
a great team. In order for teams to be the best, they need to know each other
on and off the court – team bonding is essential to success.
Team bonding is anything that is done as a team off the
court and outside of the work area to enhance leadership, group cohesion, and
conflict resolution. Team bonding activities are usually fun and adventurous activities
that bring the team together in order to create a sense of belonging and
commardere. Team bonding activities can be having dinner as a team, doing
volunteer work together, or engaging in the adventure of a Ropes (Challenge)
Course together. All of these activities
promote individual differences, develop team identities, and allows the
emergence of leaders to become the voice of the team. Once these players have
“broken the ice” and have something in common, it becomes easier to communicate
in the practice and game arena and healthy bonds begin to form between
teammates and even coaches. Team bonding helps to build communication, loyalty,
and dedication which in turn helps the team succeed on and off the court.
As a
coach, I recommend that you consider team bonding activities as the first step
to making your team a success!
I completely agree with you. I just recently wrote a paper over this very topic. I think team bonding is essential if you want to have overall success. Knowing your teammates on and off the court, field, or whatever is only going to benefit you. I think now day’s players and athletes are letting technology take over and get in the way of communicating with one another. Coaches need to stress team bonding now more than ever and really try and implement activities at the beginning of the season and maintain throughout. The closer your team is the better they will mesh on the court/field. When you communicate off the field it is easier to know what your teammate is thinking on the field. I think Babe Ruth words it the best way, “The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime.”
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