Team bonding, or what others may name as team building, is a vital part of any sport. Without a bond between teammates, how can the team be successful?
“Team bonding is important because it helps you cooperate with other people,” Taylor Howe said.
The bond between teammates is even more unique than a normal friendship. These people have seen each other in the early mornings and late nights, covered in sweat and exhausted.
Depending on the sport, team, relationships or other factors, the friendships and bonds can be different.
Track is more individual team sport, while cheer is based on bonds because they are holding someone’s life. The dynamics of all teams are different. One group is not the same as the other.
Team bonding looks different as well. Whether it is conditioning or a get-together outside of practice. While team bonding can occur during training by just being together, it is more beneficial outside of course, due to the ability to let go.
Long trips with the team also lead to team bonding because of the extended time the team spends together. Additionally, rooming with teammates creates an even stronger bond.
However, sometimes cliques are formed within the team, which can become an issue. That can cause people to feel excluded and left out.
Team bonding can help everyone feel more connected and comfortable with their team.
“It helps make lifelong friendships,” Charlee Friddle said.
This helps people create lifelong friendships outside of the sport as well. It can help people feel more connected with each other and can make people feel more supported, knowing they have a safe space to go to.
Having an extracurricular can help people with anything they are struggling with because it gives them an outlet. It can take people’s minds off things and provide them with an escape for a little bit.
Another critical aspect of team bonding is improving communication. It builds communication by giving the teammates time to create friendships so they are more comfortable talking to one another.
Communication is critical when it comes to teamwork because people need to be able to communicate to make things happen when competing. It helps when everyone can communicate smoothly and not create tension or issues on the team.
Team bonding also assists team members with having each other’s backs, which is vital to a solid team. When teammates have each other’s backs, it helps everything run smoothly and helps people grow closer, as well as helps them trust one another.
Trust is also prime for making a cohesive team because if teammates cannot trust the person beside them, then they cannot trust that they will do what is best for the team.
