Topic: Teamwork - What is a team?

Activity:

• Name Game (may be substituted for any other name game with which the coach is comfortable)
  • Players stand in a circle. Choose someone to start.
  • Player says “My name is (Name here) and I like (thing that starts with the same letter as their first name).”
  • The next player says "Hi (Thing & Name). My name is (Name here) and I like (thing that starts with the same letter as their first name)."
    • Example: "Hi Movie Michael. My name is Chris and I like candy.
  • As they begin to learn others’ names, switch directions or mix up the order.

Conversation Starters:

• Q: What is a team?
  • A: Group of people working together to achieve a common goal)
• Q: What kind of teams are you a part of?
  • A: Family, classmates, scouts, other sports
• Q: What are some things that teams do that make them good?
  • A: Motivate each other, Pick up the slack when someone is struggling, Sacrifice
• Q: Why is it important that you know all of the players on your team, like we just started to do in the Name Game?
  • A: The better you know your teammates, the better you’ll be able to help them

Key Points:

• Explain the Team First program
  • 5-10 minutes to start practice with activity and a talk
  • Each week we’ll talk about something new that will help you be a better player and a stronger person away from the baseball diamond.
  • Helmet stickers. Players will get stickers for demonstrating the “Team First” actions we learn about each week, NOT for hitting home runs or making diving catches.

“The Ride Home”

• I loved watching you play.
• What are some of your teams?
• Who are your teammates on those teams?
• What are some things teammates do for each other?
• Why do you think your "team" is better working together than trying to do things by themselves?