Team Building Activities for Kids' Sports

Two Truths and a Lie

• Start team building sessions with an activity that allows kids to get to know each other better. The Two Truths and a Lie game serves exactly this purpose. Have players form a circle so everybody can be seen and heard. The coach calls on players, going around in the circle. Each player must introduce himself to the rest of the team. Then he has to make three statements about himself. Two of these statements should be true, and one should be a lie. For instance, a player might tell his teammates where he was born, what his best sport skill is, and who his favorite pro athlete is. The rest of the team then takes turns guessing which of the statements is a lie. Everybody will know a little bit more about their teammates after all the players have participated.

Team Toss

• Conducting a team relay toss can help youth players focus on the concept of joint effort while honing their hand-eye coordination. You will need items to throw such as balls, bean bags or water balloons. Split the team into two or three groups and have group members line up together with at least five yards between each player. Increase the distance for older children. The items to be thrown start in the hands of the kids at the ends of the lines. When the coach gives the signal, players toss the items to the next teammate in their line while calling out his name. That teammate catches the item and pass it on to the next person, calling out that player's name as the game continues. The first team to successfully toss the item all the way to the end of the line and back to the starting point wins. If a team member drops the item, that group must start over from the beginning. This racelike atmosphere will teach kids to work together under pressure while reinforcing their ability to remember teammates' names.

Trust Falls

• The U.S. Scouting Service Project recommends Trust Falls as another effective team building exercise for children. Proper supervision is required to make sure that no one gets hurt. Players form groups of three. Two of the players in each group will serve as spotters while the third player prepares to fall backward into their arms. The player taking the fall should fold his arms across his chest and close his eyes and ask his two partners if they are ready. When they respond positively, he makes his body stiff and lean back until he falls. The two partners should be waiting in a slightly crouched stance with their hands out to catch him.

Blind Walks

• Young athletes may enjoy participating in the Blind Walk activity. Have the entire team get in a single-file line and each player puts on a blindfold. Handkerchiefs or scarves can be used to blindfold the players. Players should extend their hands and grasp the shoulders of the person in front of them, forming a chain. The coach will instruct the player at the front of the line to remove his blindfold and lead the team to a designated area. The player with vision essentially operates as a team captain, guiding his blind teammates with verbal commands and positive reassurances. After a short time the coach should order everybody to stop in their tracks. The team captain at the front of the line will go to the back of the line and put on a blindfold. The next player at the front of the line removes his blindfold and becomes the new captain, resuming the trek. This cycle repeats until every players has had a chance to guide the team. The walk can be made more challenging by introducing obstacles. The coach decides how tricky or simple the walk is based on the age of his players.