Coaching Corner: Team Building -
Winner’s Circle
By Karent Stanley, NSCAA National Academy Staff
  (from the NSCAA Coaching Newsletter - May 11th, 2005)

Here’s a fun and meaningful exercise that all teams can benefit from, regardless of their age or gender. Players can experience an increase in confidence, self-esteem, courage, and feeling of being valued by the team.  This exercise is good to do after a practice or after a game, maybe once a week.
 
Players stand or sit in a circle either holding hands, touching feet, or just being close together. Then the coach gives a directive. For example, “Say something positive about the teammate on your right in terms of what you appreciate about them.” Or, “Ask the person on your left what you would like for them to bring to the team tomorrow for our game.” Another example is, “Tell the team how they can help you in a game when you are under adversity.”
 
In all of these examples, one player at a time takes their turn until each team member has had their chance, including the coaches. This is a great team-building exercise!

  Web Administrator    Ken Gamble