Build the Bond - 6 Ways to Create Synergy with Your New Team

Tryouts may be over, but it’s not time to start lacing up cleats just yet. There’s still a lot of work to be done before players start to feel like a real team. Team building takes time and that’s something we don’t have a lot of.

And while just the mention of “team bonding” can elicit a chorus of groans from players, parents and coaches alike, it can make all the difference in team performance when done right.

Here are a few ideas to strengthen your team’s dynamic:

• Take them to an escape room – players will learn to solve complex puzzles and work as a team.

• Sign up for an obstacle course – practice building endurance and problem solving at the same time.

• Challenge another team to a match of laser tag – nothing brings a team together more than defeating another one.

• Do some rock climbing as a team – whether it’s at a rock-climbing gym or outside in Mother Nature, rock climbing is both mentally and physically challenging and fun for everyone.

• Volunteer in your community – it's scientifically proven that the act of volunteering releases dopamine, reducing stress and increasing positivity and relaxation.

• Learn from the pros - players will learn new skills while watching one of our local teams. Catch a Sounders or OL Reign game at Lumen Field or a college match at the University of Washington or Seattle University and bond over the staggering loss of whichever team isn’t from Seattle. Check out one or more teams from the list below and remember to ask about team discounts before booking:

  • Sounders

  • OL Reign

  • Tacoma Defiance

  • University of Washington Men’s

  • University of Washington Women’s

  • Seattle University Men’s

  • Seattle University Women’s

  • Seattle Pacific University Men’s

  • Seattle Pacific University Women’s

• Want to take it up a notch? Invest in matching team gear for team-building events – visors, headbands, bracelets, socks, the sky’s the limit!