By: Tim Thoreson
Having great team chemistry can benefit a team in many ways. It brings the team closer together, players support one another, they believe in each other, and they genuinely like being around their teammates. These teammates share a common goal of doing whatever it takes to make their team be the best they can be. When teams are close knit and have that great team chemistry, they can achieve so much more! I was fortunate enough to play on teams that were made up of my best friends. However, not everyone on your team may be your best friend, so it is important to get to know each and everyone on your team. My college baseball team had a tradition that we did at the end of our baseball practices that I feel had a very positive effect on our team's overall chemistry. This tradition was called On Deck. |
"The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime."
-Babe Ruth |
What is On Deck
On Deck is a time at the end of practice that one player shares anything that may be on their mind at the current time. When we did our On Deck in college one senior would share something at the end of each practice, then onto juniors, sophomores, and ending with freshman. The content of each On Deck varied greatly from player to player. Topics may include how an individual loved being part of the team, a funny baseball story from the past, goals for the team that year, or an inspirational quote or experience. Each On Deck is special because it comes from the heart and is unique.
On Deck is a time at the end of practice that one player shares anything that may be on their mind at the current time. When we did our On Deck in college one senior would share something at the end of each practice, then onto juniors, sophomores, and ending with freshman. The content of each On Deck varied greatly from player to player. Topics may include how an individual loved being part of the team, a funny baseball story from the past, goals for the team that year, or an inspirational quote or experience. Each On Deck is special because it comes from the heart and is unique.
How On Decks Brought our Team Closer
There is no doubt in my mind that because of On Decks our teams were more united. Each time a player shared with the team at the end of practice it was an opportunity to connect with that teammate, to listen, and to learn more about what each player was thinking and feeling. Many times you learned something neat about your teammates past, or their visions for the future. One of the neatest things at the conclusion of each On Deck, was the celebration! Once each player finished sharing for the day, the team broke out into cheering and clapping. Many players would reiterate the main idea of the On Deck, for example if the topic was about being part of the team, someone may yell out "Part of the Team!" during the celebration. Our teammates certainly looked forward to each On Deck, and although maybe not everyone on the team were best friends, we came to appreciate each teammate individually.
There is no doubt in my mind that because of On Decks our teams were more united. Each time a player shared with the team at the end of practice it was an opportunity to connect with that teammate, to listen, and to learn more about what each player was thinking and feeling. Many times you learned something neat about your teammates past, or their visions for the future. One of the neatest things at the conclusion of each On Deck, was the celebration! Once each player finished sharing for the day, the team broke out into cheering and clapping. Many players would reiterate the main idea of the On Deck, for example if the topic was about being part of the team, someone may yell out "Part of the Team!" during the celebration. Our teammates certainly looked forward to each On Deck, and although maybe not everyone on the team were best friends, we came to appreciate each teammate individually.
I certainly encourage all coaches to implement some type of plan to promote team unity. The memories I have from growing up on different teams were memorable because I had the opportunity to share so many great moments with teammates I valued. When teams are close knit, they bond together. This bond will work to your team's advantage. Players will learn to do anything it takes, not because they can't accept losing, but because they don't want to let their teammates down.
Good Luck Coaches!
Tim Thoreson
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