Team cohesionTeam cohesion

Team cohesion in sportTeam cohesion in sport

Group or Team cohesion in sport is defined Group or Team cohesion in sport is defined as “dynamic process which is reflected as “dynamic process which is reflected in the tendency for a group to stick in the tendency for a group to stick together and remain united in the pursuit together and remain united in the pursuit of goals and objectives”of goals and objectives”

Two independent components of team Two independent components of team cohesion are:cohesion are:

Task cohesion & Task cohesion &

Social cohesionSocial cohesion

Team cohesion in sportTeam cohesion in sport Task cohesionTask cohesion: :

It reflects the degree to which It reflects the degree to which members work together to members work together to achieve a specific goal.achieve a specific goal.

Social cohesionSocial cohesion: :

It reflects the degree to It reflects the degree to which members of a team which members of a team like each other and enjoy like each other and enjoy being members of the team.being members of the team.

Team cohesion in sportTeam cohesion in sport

When considering the development of team When considering the development of team cohesion among members of a team, it is cohesion among members of a team, it is important that the coach differentiate important that the coach differentiate between task and social cohesion. between task and social cohesion.

These two types of cohesion can be developed These two types of cohesion can be developed simultaneously in a team , or they can be simultaneously in a team , or they can be developed independently of each other.developed independently of each other.

Stages of team formation: from group to team

1. Forming2. Storming3. Norming4. Performing

Stages of team formationForming

In this stage team members familiarize themselves with other team members. Members of a team engage in social comparisons, assessing one another’s strengths and weaknesses.

Athletes lacking a strong team identification will have difficulty forming positive relationships with other team members.

Coaches should develop strategies to facilitate group member familiarity and to ease team interaction at early stages of team formation

Stages of team formation

StormingStorming stage is characterized by resistance to the leader, resistance to control by the group, and interpersonal conflict. Great emotional resistance emerges as each group member experiences conflict due to the demands placed on him or her.

Coaches need to communicate with athletes objectively and openly. Evaluations of each athlete's strengths and weaknesses, as well as his role on the team, will help relieve uncertainty, a chief source of stress for athletes.

Stages of team formation

NormingDuring norming, hostility is replaced by solidarity and cooperation. Conflict are resolved and a sense of unity forms. Instead of watching out for their individual well-being, the athletes work together to reach common goals. Group cohesion occurs during this stage.Coaches can facilitate this process by praising team members for quality performance, effort, and improvement, while at the same time emphasizing each player’s unique contribution to the team’s success.

Stages of team formation

PerformingIn this stage team members band together channel their energies for team success. The team focuses on problem solving, using group process and relationships to work on tasks and test new ideas. roles are well defined, and the players help one another to succeed, the primary goal is team success.Feedback should be provided to players regarding their special contributions, and a cooperative climate should be encouraged.

Determinants & consequence of Team cohesion Determinants & consequence of Team cohesion DETERMINANTS DETERMINANTS Personal factorsPersonal factors SatisfactionSatisfaction Similarity of experience Similarity of experience Team factorsTeam factors Prior successPrior success CommunicationCommunication Having team goalsHaving team goals Importance of achieving Importance of achieving

goalsgoalsLeadership factorsLeadership factors Effort to develop cohesionEffort to develop cohesionEnvironmental factorsEnvironmental factors Size of groupSize of group

CONSEQUENCESCONSEQUENCESGroup outcomesGroup outcomes Team stabilityTeam stability Absolute performance Absolute performance

effectivenesseffectiveness Relative performance Relative performance

effectivenesseffectivenessIndividual outcomesIndividual outcomes Behavioral outcomesBehavioral outcomes Absolute performance Absolute performance

effectivenesseffectiveness Relative performance Relative performance

effectiveness of achieving effectiveness of achieving goalsgoals

TEAM COHESIONTEAM COHESION• Task cohesionTask cohesion• Team cohesionTeam cohesion

Team cohesion: Conceptual modelTeam cohesion: Conceptual model

Environmental factorsEnvironmental factors

Team factorsTeam factors

CohesionCohesion

Individual outcomesIndividual outcomesGroup outcomesGroup outcomes

Leadership factorsLeadership factorsPersonal factorsPersonal factors

Team cohesion-Performance relationshipTeam cohesion-Performance relationship

Team cohesion leads to increased tem performance, Team cohesion leads to increased tem performance, but increased team performance also leads to an but increased team performance also leads to an increase in team cohesionincrease in team cohesion

TeamTeamCohesionCohesion

TeamTeamPerformancePerformance

→→→→

Enhancing Cohesion

1. Communicate effectively2. Explain individual roles in team success3. Develop pride within subunits4. Set challenging group goals5. Encourage group identity6. Avoid formation of social cliques7. Avoid excessive turnover8. Conduct periodic team meetings9. Know team climate10.Know something personal about each group

member

1.Communicate effectively

Team building requires a climate of openness, where airing problems and matters of concern is encouraged.

As communication about task and social issues increases, cohesiveness develops. As a result, group members are more open with each other, volunteer more, talk more, and listen better.

2.Explain individual roles in team success

Coaches should clearly outline individual roles to team members, stressing the importance of each player's role to the team’s success.

When players understand what is required of their team mates, they can begin to develop support and empathy.

3.Develop pride within subunits

Players need the support of their team mates, especially those playing the same position.

Coaches should foster pride within subunits within sports

4.Set challenging group goals

Setting specific, challenging goals has a positive impact on individual and group performance.

Group goals set a high norm for productivity and keep the team focused on what it needs to accomplish.

The goals should be performance-based (relating to players’ abilities) rather than outcome-based (winning)

5.Encourage group identity

Groups should be made to feel special and in some sense different from other groups.

A coach or leader can encourage team identity (Eg. Ordering team jackets and scheduling social functions etc.)

6.Avoid formation of social cliques

Players often form cliques when the team is losing, their needs are not being met, or when coaches treat athletes defiantly.

Cliques tend to be disruptive to a team.Coaches should quickly determine why they

are forming and take the steps to break them up.

7.Avoid excessive turnover

Excessive turnover decreases cohesion and makes it difficult for members to establish close rapport.

They feel unfamiliar with each other and uncertain about the group’s longevity.

Senior players should be asked help integrate the new players into the team.

8.Conduct periodic team meetings

Throughout the season coaches should conduct team meetings to allow positive and negative feelings to be honestly, openly, and constructively expressed.

Teams can talk about learning from mistakes, redefining goals, and maintaining good sportsmanship.

9.Know the team climate

A coach or leader should identify the group members who have high interpersonal prestige and status in the group.

They can be the links for communication. These links give coaches and athletes vehicles for expressing ideas, opinions, and feelings regarding what is happening on the team.

10.Know something personal about each group member

Players appreciate it when the coach or leader makes a special effort to know about their lives outside the context of the team.

What group members can do

1. Get to know members of the group2. Help group members whenever possible3. Give group members positive

reinforcement4. Be responsible (Do not blame each other)5. Communicate honestly and openly with the

coach6. Resolve conflicts immediately7. Give maximum effort at all times

(Eg.Practice sessions)

Summary

Definition Components: task and social cohesion Team formation Determinants and consequence of team

cohesion Model of team cohesion Enhancing team cohesion