Games for Building Team Spirit

When it comes to competition, forming a group of talented players to make a team is always a priority for a coach or a manager. However, if the players are unable to work together and communicate, the talent will be wasted and the team will be unsuccessful. Group exercises and outings can provide a valuable experience for teammates who will learn to trust each other and be more successful as a group.

  1. Team-building exercises

    • Team-building exercises can range from completing simple tasks in groups to full team camping trips or bowling competitions (see Reference 1).

      Often, getting to know the other people on a team can be the hardest part of working together. People might have trouble trusting someone they know nothing about. Simple icebreakers, or games used to start conversations or trade information among people meeting for the first time, can help to build team spirit and cooperation. As an example, have each member of the group write down three statements on an index card: two are true, and one is false. The other members of the team should try to guess which one is false. This will introduce the teammates to fun facts about each other and will allow them to find things they have in common. Cooperation is easier among teammates who know and understand each other's likes and skills.

      Many exercises to build cooperative teams involve completing simple tasks in pairs or groups. For example, the coach can design a simple obstacle course of small objects scattered across the field. The team should be split into pairs. One teammate will be blindfolded, and the other leads him through the obstacles, either physically or verbally. The teammates should then switch so that each member experiences both roles. This simple exercise will teach the players that their teammates are trustworthy and will not steer them wrong.

      Having teammates solve puzzles together will also help them trust each other. For example, each teammate can be given a tube or pipe of varying lengths. A marble or small ball should be placed on a table or chair, with a destination spot marked somewhere across the room. The goal will be for the teammates to move the ball from point A to point B without dropping it. The teammates will communicate and use each other's ideas and plans to complete to the task.

    Get outside help

    • Team-building activities can become difficult with larger groups. Some organizations offer aid in helping managers and coaches build cooperation and spirit among their teams. Organizations such as TeamBonding provide valuable advice for building teams and will also often host events or help to lead the team-building exercises to make things run more smoothly among new teammates.