Hit that first practice hard by building chemistry within your new team. It is critical to do this at the first chance you get. In fact, there were some seasons that my first practice was all about building chemistry and getting the team to bond right away.

There are many ways to introduction yourself, the coaches and team members. Here are a few techniques that I have used with great success. Remember to be creative and by sharing a little of yourself, you can build a stronger connection. After each athlete has given their name do or say the following:

• Games
  • Red Light / Green Light
  • Board Bridge
  • Relay Race
• Verable
  • Name your favorite food, color, vacation, TV, movie or class
  • What is your favorite player
• Skills
  • Play a quick game of the sport your participating in
  • Focus as a team on a specific skill or drill
  • Coordination
  • Conditioning

The type of introduction is up to you, but there’s nothing keeping you from mixing up several of the techniques and spreading it out over a couple of practices. You could also use before or after practices to work on introductions.

“By sharing a little of yourself a strong connection built”

Getting your team on the same page also goes towards the building of that chemistry, so use the introductions in such a way that you can build on common likes. For example, if several athletes on your team like pizza than you should build on that and ask follow up questions that can build on that connection. Do you like deep dish or thin crust? Pizza Hut, Domino’s, Costco or Papa John’s? Then build on those connections by asking follow up questions that could make them engage the subject and each other by asking “Have you ever made your own pizza?”. Lastly, share your experience, as in this example, with them “I love all kinds of pizzas”.
These connections are very important. A Foundation of A Strong Team starts on day one with introductions. Have fun and use that first to introduce your team to each other and start building those connections.