Volleyball is the type of sport that is physically draining but also emotionally draining. Keeping up with psychological health is very important for team chemistry. Every player on the court needs to be attuned with one another in order to play together, communicate and win the point. Relating to one another, expressing goals and creating a healthy social atmosphere on and off the court can mean everything for a team's success.
In the picture above it shows the Westfield State Volleyball team before a game doing a traditional goal setting exercise to get pumped up as well as focused. Having rituals helps with game flow and anxiety. Giving everyone an opportunity to speak shows equity and team support.
There are a lot of team bonding activities that can be done before, during or after practice too. Challenges that are less physical and more mental can really help with team communication. One example is an activity called "The Magic Boot". The point of this game is to get every member of the team from one sideline to the other. The obstacle is that only person that can cross the middle is the person wearing the magic boots. This person can only cross over once and then the boots must be worn by somebody else. This activity can be quite physical at times but takes a lot of thought and cooperation.
Another team bonding activity is what I like to call the caterpillar. All the members of the team have to have the sides of their feet touching at all times. If this "bond" is broken the team must start over. The object of the game is to move from one sideline to the next by sidestepping as a team without coming apart. It is much harder than it sounds.
Outside of practice, teams may want to have pasta parties or get together for a fun, relaxing night. This will decrease stress and anxiety levels as well as create a nice team bond off the court. Also, completing a physical task such as hiking as a team will make team members feel successful while getting a great work out. Below is a picture of the Westfield State Volleyball team after making it to the top of a mountain on a 3 mile uphill journey.
Without training the mental, social and emotional aspect of health and sport, a team may not be playing to the best of their ability. Volleyball requires great mental and emotional function and without a good team chemistry, a team can fall apart.
Pasta party? Sounds fun.
ReplyDeleteVolleyball is a tough game, I was never much good at it, although it is fun to play on the beach in the summer with friends. No skill is required in those type of games.
I think that team chemistry is absolutely critical in the success, or failure, of a season. If you know what the person next to you is thinking than you know what both of your responsibilities are, therefore you can make a play. You hear about quarterbacks and wide recieers practicing together in the offseason so that they know what the other is goint to do and when. This all amounts to team chemistry. If a sports team has good chemistry the season will not just be succesfull, but it will also be a fun and unfoegetable time.
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