10 Activities That Create Connection

Connection in the key to culture. Culture is the shared beliefs, values, practices, and behaviors of a group of people. For anyone to share anything, they must feel safe, secure, valued, and willing to compromise and sacrifice for others. In order to feel safe, secure, valued, appreciated, and willing to compromise and sacrifice, a person must feel connected. In order to create a healthy, impactful, winning culture, your team must be connected.

When and where you do them is flexible. But after a preseason practice, off site team retreat, back to school team meal, or in the locker room on an off day.

1. Story Circles

Purpose: Build empathy and personal connection

How it works: Sit in a circle and give each player 2–3 minutes to answer a prompt like “What’s something that shaped who you are today?” or “What’s a challenge you’ve overcome?”

Why it works: Vulnerability builds trust; trust builds team unity.

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2. Teammate Interviews

Purpose: Build relationships across cliques

How it works: Pair players randomly and give them 3–5 questions to ask each other (e.g., “What’s your biggest dream?” or “What motivates you on tough days?” or "What do you like to do outside of sports" or "What is a fun fact about you"), then have them introduce each other to the team.

Why it works: Strengthens communication and fosters empathy.

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3. My Values

Purpose: Align personal and team values

How it works: Each person ranks their top 5 values (using this list or by brainstorming), then shares with a partner or group why those values matter.

Why it works: It shows what drives each person and opens space for deeper conversation.

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4. “Who Are You?” Exercise

Purpose: Reveal identity beyond sport

How it works: Each player answers the question “Who are you?” five times, with the coach or a teammate asking it again and again. (“I’m a linebacker.” “Who are you?” “I’m a brother.” “Who are you?” etc.)

Why it works: Pushes players to move beyond surface-level labels.

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5. Accountability Partner Check-Ins

Purpose: Build relational trust and discipline

How it works: Assign accountability partners for the season. Each week, they check in on a standard (on-field or off-field) and provide encouragement or challenge.

Why it works: Fosters consistent peer support and accountability.

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6. Gratitude Passing Drill

Purpose: Encourage affirmation and positivity

How it works: Before or after practice, players take turns saying something they appreciate about a teammate. Whoever receives an appreciation then gives one to someone else but not the person that appreciated them.

Why it works: Builds a habit of encouragement and counters negativity. Helps people receive compliments

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7. Life Walk - Specifically for Coaches

Purpose: Deepen coach-player connection

How it works: Coach goes on a walk with individual players (literally) while the player walks them through key moments in their life story. Good idea to get all coaches involved.

Why it works: Builds relational capital between coaches and athletes outside of performance.

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8. “What’s One Thing I Should Know?”

Purpose: Build understanding quickly

How it works: In small groups, each player answers: “What’s one thing you wish people knew about you?”

Why it works: Opens space for honesty, without oversharing pressure.

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9. Player Standards

Purpose: Create buy in to team culture standards

How it works: As a team, define 1-2 additional athletic and non athletic standards per value.

Why it works: Promotes shared ownership and commitment. Gives players a voice.

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10. Post-Practice “Wins & Challenges” Huddle (good to incorporate as a regular part of practice.)

Purpose: Process emotions, not just performance

How it works: After practice, players share one win from the day and one thing they struggled with. Keep it brief, optional, and judgment-free.

Why it works: Builds emotional safety and normalizes reflection.

I encourage you to do multiple of these over the course of the preseason and season. The more connected your team is, the more buy in they will have, and the stronger your culture will be.