Ways to improve team chemistry

“There are plenty of teams in every sport that have great players and never win titles. Most of the time, those players aren’t willing to sacrifice for the greater good of the team. The funny thing is, in the end, their unwillingness to sacrifice only makes individual goals more difficult to achieve. One thing I believe to the fullest is that if you think and achieve as a team, the individual accolades will take care of themselves. Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” – Michael Jordan   When it comes to team sports, chemistry is the key to success. Team chemistry leads to better team culture, team cohesion and a winning atmosphere. This involves both coaches and players, and it helps teams operate as a single unit.    In today’s sports, individual players oftentimes get frustrated when their playing time gets cut down, or when they are not playing well. Maintaining team chemistry helps unify teams, and creates a mindset in players that is team oriented. Here are some ways to help you improve your team’s chemistry.    Team captains Assigning two to four players, depending on the sport, as team captains is a very popular philosophy many coaches utilize. Team captains are leaders who help motivate and push their teammates into working hard. Team captains are oftentimes the middlemen between the coaches and players. They are individuals who their teammates can trust and come talk to with any questions or concerns.  Team captains help create the team’s culture, and they should be prime examples of how players should act on and off the field. When choosing team captains, coaches should choose players who have a strong work ethic, who hold themselves as well as their teammates accountable and who are trustworthy and willing to put in the extra work.  This is a good place to start when trying to improve your team’s chemistry. Captains help relay messages from coaches to players, and they will play a huge part in the shape of your team's culture.     Emphasize team goals When setting your team goals, you should make sure they are centered around TEAM. You want to set goals that the whole team can work together towards. This will help create a team atmosphere in which players and coaches must work together to achieve their goals.    Create an identity Another way to improve chemistry within your team is by creating a single team identity. A team identity should be set at the beginning of the season, and should include expectations in which every player and coach should follow on the field and off. Creating a team identity helps players stay consistent, both mentally and physically, throughout the season and helps everyone hold each other accountable in working towards achieving that identity.    Team Training Lastly, one of the best ways to improve your team’s chemistry is by training as a team. Team training not only helps every player get better, but brings a competitive sense to things that will push players past their limits. During team training sessions, try to include some sort of competition in which players can compete against each other. These competitions should be fun and focus on teamwork as a whole.    For any team sport, team chemistry is so important. When teams are able to hold each member accountable, work together to achieve team goals and create a single identity in which they strive to be each and every day, teams will become successful. At Warren Academy, we offer team training programs that are designed around your offseason, in-season, or post-season goals and needs. Our program does not only support the development of athletes, but it will help develop the team’s ability to work together. Contact us today and sign up for our team training program!