Team-Building Activities for Sports

Ice Breakers

• These are particularly important for newly formed teams with players who do not know each other well. Ice breaking activities typically focus on learning the names, habits and other traits of teammates while also getting players comfortable with one another. Sometimes, the sillier the better to foster comfort from the beginning.

  To break the ice, try having all players sit in a circle, identify themselves one at a time and answer a select set of questions, which could include why they're here, whether they prefer boxers or briefs and whether they like their toilet paper rolls with the sheets under or over.

  Several other ideas are available at
  http://www.deca.org/pdf/teambuildinggames.pdf.

The Trust Fall

• The safest form of this activity involves one teammate blindfolded in the center of a circle of other teammates. The players forming the circle should be facing the blindfolded teammate and be at arm's length away. The blindfolded teammate must keep arms folded over chest and remain stiff with knees locked during this activity.

  When ready, the blindfolded participant calls out his or her name and then says "falling." The group then repeats the subject's name and says, "fall on." With that, the blindfolded teammate, keeping rigid, falls in any direction he or she chooses and must be gently caught by teammates forming the circle. Those in the circle can pass the blindfolded subject around the circle.

  This foster's trust as the players must work together to keep a blind teammate from hitting the ground.

Climbing and Rappelling Towers

• Climbing and rappelling can be solid team-building activities, especially if fellow teammates are involved in helping secure the safety lines. Make sure you visit a gym or climbing center with certified climbers who can supervise on safe climbing walls or towers.

Leading the Blind

• Obstacle courses that are low to the ground make for effective team-building activities. Add blindfolds to the mix, and trust becomes central to the activity.

  In one variation, use ropes and wooden staves to set up a rope maze. All teammates are blindfolded except for one, perhaps the quarterback or team captain. The teammate who can see must use verbal prompts to safely guide all blindfolded players through the maze.

Project C.O.P.E.

• If your team is lucky enough to be located near a Boy Scout council or summer camp with a Project C.O.P.E. course, inquire about using the course with your team and a certified C.O.P.E. instructor.

  C.O.P.E. stands for Challenging Outdoor Physical Encounter and is designed to foster teamwork and leadership among Scouts and Explorers. These activities also can help build the same traits in any sports team. The courses incorporate a series of high-rope and climbing activities that push personal barriers and encourage camaraderie.