Team Building Drill – All Aboard

Provided by - AVCA

Activity:

Using a plyometric jump box (or any approximately 2' x 2' plywood box), have your team get each member of the team up on the box. Each team member must have one foot on the box and last the length it takes them to sing a song, such as "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."

Equipment:

2' x 2' plyometric jump box (or any very sturdy box, roughly 2' x 2')

Space/Location:

Outdoors on a grass field or in the sand. Indoors on wrestling/gymnastics mats, (a soft surface with plenty of room around the edges for safety)..

Coaching Points:

The goal is to get as many team members as possible up on the box long enough to sing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" or any other short song (i.e., the school fight song). All team members must have at least one foot on the box and no part of their body can be touching anything off of the box.

Safety:

Make sure the coaches spot as the team gets more players on the box. Spot by keeping hands up and look for leaning bodies. Remind players to let go of each other if the group starts to fall. Also it is best to prohibit stacking (piggy back or up on shoulders) as this reduces the chance of injury. Finally, it is important that the box is not too high off of the ground (i.e., approximately 2 feet maximum.)

Additional Variations:

It is often important to vary the size (width) of the box can with the number of team members so that all can get on board. The team challenge can grow as the same number of players tries to get on board the smaller boxes. In some cases teams must decide which players must be left off to accomplish the goal of getting the most players on board. This activity can be done with a 2' x 2' sheet of paper as well. Poster board or something sturdy that will not tear works best. The dimensions of the paper are not vital and can be adjusted for larger or smaller teams by folding or cutting the paper. Challenge the group further after initial success by folding the paper in half and then in quarters. The goal then becomes developing strategies to get the most number of players on the smaller surface. Have them see what records they can set for each size.

Breakdown:

The team will have to work together to physically hold each other on balance. They will also have to communicate and share ideas. Everyone will have to contribute in some way in order for the activity to be successful.

Transfer:

The players learn that to accomplish a goal the entire team must "get on board." This can be related to daily practice and competition as well as summer training, school work, and playing as a team.

Evaluating the Success of the Drill:

The obvious outcome is that all members are able to work together to balance. However, there are probably greater elements of success. For example, ideally everyone of the team is involved in some capacity and the goal is accomplished because everyone participates.