Passing the Time When Traveling With Your Team: 10 Tips

Away games are a normal part of playing any sport. Traveling for these events can be a terrific team bonding experience for those willing to make the most of the journey.

With so many hours to drive, you may be wondering how to make the time pass quickly. Instead of hoping for the best, you should create a game plan for the trip.

Here are 10 tips for passing the time when traveling with your team.

1. Take Photos

Photos are fun to take and a great way to capture memories. Have everyone squeeze together as you snap a team photo. Challenge the group to a photo contest to see who can capture the best moments. Encourage everyone to post their pictures in a private team group chat or Facebook page.

At the end of the season, send them in for the school yearbook so people can enjoy the memories for years to come.

2. Play Road Games

Some games have been created solely to pass the time while on long drives. These games can be perfect for playing in large groups. For a competitive twist, break the team down into smaller groups and face-off to determine the winning bunch.

Popular road games include:

●      The alphabet game

●      I spy

●      License plate game

●      20 questions

●      Would you rather

3. Listen to a Podcast

Podcasts are a terrific way to learn something new or start an exciting discussion. Ask your team if they have favorite podcasts or topics they’d like to listen to. Consider listening to a new podcast each trip or dedicating the year to following a single program.

There’s a tremendous range of podcasts available that range from educational to humor and even crime. “Criminal” and “Beyond the Plate” are two which might spark interest.

Players will love the wide variety and the intriguing content scope. Remember that some podcasts may not be age-appropriate — a quick check on your favorite search engine should alert you to any inappropriate episodes to skip over.

4. Make a Music Playlist

Everyone loves rocking out to their favorite music playlist. Encourage every team member to contribute their favorite song to the team’s road-trip playlist. At the next away game, you’ll have the entire team belting out the song lyrics.

To ensure you have music for the entire trip, check out popular premade playlists that are guaranteed to get everyone excited.

5. Watch a Movie

Luckily, most modern buses have built-in DVD players, which allow people to watch a movie together during long journeys. Try to choose something which will appeal to the majority of viewers. If you feel uncertain of your choice, bring a few options and have everyone vote for their favorite. On the next trip, you can watch the movie which was runner up.

6. Bring Food

Snacks provide energy and sustenance. If you were to prioritize any of the tips, bringing food should rank highly on the list. Especially after a long game, the body needs food and water to replenish. Concentrate on eating healthy items so your team doesn’t have a sugar crash.

Remember to ask about allergies before bringing certain foods on the trip.

7. Start a Discussion

Discussions can keep everyone feeling alert and focused. They can be serious or lighthearted. Consider checking online for questions to start lively conversations. Use these moments to choose topics that will bring everyone closer together. Avoid topic which could be controversial or offensive and remember to practice inclusivity.

8. Have Impromptu Storytime

Telling stories can be a fun way to pass the time on long trips. You can base the actions on personal experience, or they can be fictional. To get everyone involved, consider trying improv storytime where each team member says one sentence to keep the story going.

You may find that these storytime sessions are a great way to get to know each other better. At a very minimum, you’ll enjoy some laughter as a group.

9. Enjoy Quiet Time

Occasionally, everyone needs quiet time. Making time to enjoy the silence can help players preserve their energy and condition their minds to be more responsive.

If you have a trip planned for the early morning or late evening, encourage the team to bring things to quietly occupy the time. This could include their favorite books or cell-phone charger so that they can browse social media.

10. Make Unexpected Stops

Quirky stops along the way can make a long journey feel less tedious. If you are on a tight timeline, then plan ahead and budget for the breaks. The team will have the opportunity to stretch their legs and share a new experience.

Life’s About the Journey

Sometimes the journey is more fun than the destination itself, so whether your team wins or loses, make the most of the trip together. Use these 10 tips to pass the time when traveling with your team. By the end of the year, the group will be stronger than ever before!

Author Bio:

Oscar Collins is the managing editor at Modded. He writes about cars, fitness, the outdoors and more. Follow @TModded on Twitter for more articles from the Modded team.