Ideas for Teambuilding

Teambuilding, by definition, is work done by several associates with each doing a part but all subordinating personal prominence to the efficiency of the whole. As a coach or director, you know that teambuilding is one of the most critical components of a cheer and dance team. At its best, it allows your team to reach its goals. It is the "X factor" that drives your team to finish first and edge out those close competitors. It is the difference between a smile and tears. It may be the most important skill that they will take with them as they move beyond their adolescent experiences.
Here are a few great ideas to foster positive teambuilding experiences with your team:
1. Have "themed" practices! Come up with a different idea for the next few practices where the team can dress up. This way they are getting the practice time in, but it breaks the monotony. Some ideas are decades or superheroes.
2. Have "positive circles" before games and practices! This reminds the team how much fun it can be, and helps them forget about the negative aspects of being tired.
3. Get to know your teammates by writing questions on a piece of paper and put it in a basket. Each team member draws a question from the basket and must answer it honestly. Such questions could be "Who is your hero," "What profession would you like to pursue," or even something silly like, "If you were an animal, which would you choose and why?"
4. The human knot! Have your team stand in a circle, shoulder to shoulder. Each person then reaches in with their right hand and grabs someone else’s hand. Then they all place their left hand in and take hold of someone else’s hand. This is now the "Human Knot" that you must untie, without letting go of anyone’s hand. This is a great way for them to learn to work together and to communicate with one another.