In women’s sports creating a bond with your team out of practice and games is just as important as physical performance. As a player, learning what it feels like to play for many different team dynamics the most important thing was our team connections. It is so much easier to play with a team with true team chemistry because it creates more communication, it allows you to have closer relationships causing you to put more trust in your teammates, along with simply having more fun on the court or field.
Finding ways outside of practice to connect is a great way to build better team connections. It may be hard to find good ways or ideas to build these team connections throughout your team, but it is important for your team to build lifelong memories, establish connections with everyone on the team, and build a powerful team chemistry. There are many ways that may help build your team’s connections but here are a few!!
‘I’ve Got Your Back’ Groups:
‘I’ve got your back’ groups are great ways for your players to get to know each other or know how each other are feeling. You will split players in small groups of about 3-4 depending on size. A few times a week before practice you will have these groups meet. You will assign the groups questions. For example, “What’s your go-to karaoke song?” or “What is something you are looking forward to?”. This small group activity builds close connections throughout the team and allows other teammates to help each other if they are struggling.
Game Day Notes:
Game day notes are a great way to have a little inspiration before you take the court before a game! Before each game each of your players will be given another player to give a note to. The players are to be tasked with writing a short motivational note to their partner. You can create a prompt for the notes like “Write about your favorite memory with your partner” or just have the players write an open-ended note. These notes help increase players’ confidence and show that the players are supportive of one another. This provides a very positive atmosphere prior to games and boosts athletes confidence.
Secret Teammate:
Secret teammates are like secret santa but it doesn’t just have to be implemented around Christmas time. At the beginning of the season, each player will draw a name for which teammate they will have for their secret teammate. Your secret teammate can give things like inspirational quotes, small gifts, snacks, etc. You won’t find out who your secret teammate is until the end of the season when everyone reveals who they had as their secret teammate throughout the season. This provides encouragement from your teammates but with a little spin!
Team Buddies:
Team buddies are a great way for players to hold each other accountable or just have a pick me up. You can keep your buddies the same or switch them every other week or month. Your buddies are to be responsible for small acts of kindness or to be there for their partners. Small actions can play a big part in someone’s day. These small acts of kindness could be just a simple text with encouragement or checking in on your partner. Another small act could be bringing a small gift like their favorite candy for them before or after practice or game.
From The Atheltes Themselves:
“All we do is believe in eachother and love eachother to death. And that is what a true team is.
“The team with the best athletes doesn’t usually win. It’s the team with the athletes who play best together.”
“I think it’s just being good every single day and being there for my teammates. I know that I can’t do it alone, and they can’t do it alone, and we’ve got to lean on each other.”
Build Better Team Connections
Women’s sports are definitely not solely based on athletes’ physical skills- there are so many factors that go into having a successful team dynamic. Success directly relates to team connections and cohesion. The best teams don’t just rely on one another’s skills within the sport. It is about each team member’s trust in one another, the team connection emotionally, and simply the respect that the players have for each other.
Applying all of these factors into your group helps create a great team on and off the court. Creating a team that supports each other to a great extent and enjoys their time spent together off the court allows for better team cohesion.
The relationships your team is creating by doing some of these actvities create better team connections, improve overall communication and the sense of togetherness on the court or field. During every practice and game, keep in mind that the bonds you form with your teammates are equally essential as the skills you consume. Don’t solely hyperfocus on winning, you need to prioritize the relationships that may continue beyond your sport. Time to start creating better connections and put these ways to the test to strengthen your groups, team chemistry!
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