Fun Team Bonding Activities for Youth Soccer Teams
Youth sports, including soccer, are great for teaching children about teamwork, sportsmanship, and the importance of exercise. One problem we at Salvo have seen throughout the years is a soccer team not bonding together for a common purpose. Bonded teams will have more success and have more fun playing together.
Lack of bonding between children can stem from many places, but it’s our job as coaches and parents to help break down those resistances and help youth soccer players form lasting friendships with their teammates.
As such, we have compiled some fun off-field activities that will help youth soccer teams bond and trust each other.
1. Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger hunts are perfect ways to help kids bond. They require teamwork, communication, and strategy. When you design a scavenger hunt for a team, be sure to make it just difficult enough that each player will need to participate. Include tasks or drills you know each player excels at, which can help build confidence in the player and the team.
Scavenger hunts can be organized at the field or in a park, where it is safe for the children to wander and search. Some ideas for soccer scavenger hunts include finding cones, answering trivia questions, or performing a soccer trick. General scavenger hunt ideas include:
2. Team Movie Night
Getting the team together for a movie night can help the kids bond.
Pick a movie that is soccer themed, such as:
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The Big Green
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Bend it Like Beckham
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Kicking and Screaming
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Switching Goals
Include discussion questions at the movie's end to get the kids bonding and talking. You can also create a scavenger hunt within the movie, asking the kids to pick out certain props, spoken lines, etc. They’ll have to work together to complete the hunt.
3. Backyard or Mini-Olympics
Allow your team to take a step away from soccer for an afternoon and have them participate in backyard or mini-Olympics. Be sure to choose games requiring teams or partners, and ensure that each player rotates partners throughout the day so everyone can be a pair.
Some ideas for backyard Olympic games include:
4. Team-Building Retreats
For a deeper dive into team building, consider a team-building retreat. This can be a day, weekend, or whatever will work for your soccer team. Keep the activity inclusive and cater to all skill and athletic levels. You can also involve parents and coaches, who can help encourage participation by all players.
Ideas for team-building retreats include:
Find Your Child’s Soccer Team at Salvo Soccer Club
At Salvo Soccer Club, a Twin Cities soccer club, we take your child’s soccer development seriously. We’ll help them build exceptional soccer skills while learning teamwork, sportsmanship, strategy, discipline, and more.
We provide every player with plenty of opportunities for growth and development while giving your child a fun and engaging experience. If your child wants to join a robust and dedicated soccer club, choose Salvo Soccer Club.
Join Salvo SC online or give us a call at 612-503-4738 for more information.