Cross Country Traditions

If there's chemistry between the kids, they'll organically become closer on bus rides, easy runs, etc. If you're trying to force it then it won't work.

WHATEVER you do, don't try to start some stupid cheer or team chant at races etc. That's ridiculous and unprofessional. My team laughs our åsses off at the other team's chants when we are at meets.

Pasta feed the night before big meets. Set it up in a way so the kids can giggle and gossip without an adult hovering around them.

As the other poster mentioned, they should bond over bus rides and easy run days anyway.

Another potential bonding is to have a set of drills and core that they go through after practice everyday. Pick a team leader as one emerges and have him or her lead this while the coach gets out of the way. This should allow for some additional bonding time for the team. It should be about 15 to 20 minutes.

*Pasta parties. Day before a meet...

*Tie-dying shirts party. Order your team shirts in white, then tie-dye them after practice.

*Movie night. Watch a running movie, order a bunch of pizzas.

*Coffee runs. After Saturday morning practice, the whole team (20+ kids) goes to the local coffee shop & hangs out for about an hour. I usually call the shop the day before to warn them we're coming.

*Rock painting. This is a new one. It's real big where I am. People paint rocks with whatever & then put them around town. "Town Rocks!" But, the kids can paint them, then the next easy day, run around town & place them in fun & unique spots.

XCmom wrote:

Hi,

My daughter is part of a XC team at a brand new high school. I'm trying to help get the team more unified and get them to know each other a little better outside of XC. Do any of you have any ideas for team bonding activities and/or XC traditions that you do as a team? I would appreciate any ideas and advice that you may have- thank you!

The best team bonding activity is group training, day in day out.

XC`kid wrote:

If there's chemistry between the kids, they'll organically become closer on bus rides, easy runs, etc. If you're trying to force it then it won't work.

WHATEVER you do, don't try to start some stupid cheer or team chant at races etc. That's ridiculous and unprofessional. My team laughs our åsses off at the other team's chants when we are at meets.

Our team started a stupid cheer before races years before I arrived. They still do it. We haven't lost a regular season meet in 7 years. They really don't care if other teams laugh at them.

Ice cream after team wins. Make em walk home after losses.

XCmom wrote:

Hi,

My daughter

Pics?

otter wrote:

XC`kid wrote:

If there's chemistry between the kids, they'll organically become closer on bus rides, easy runs, etc. If you're trying to force it then it won't work.

WHATEVER you do, don't try to start some stupid cheer or team chant at races etc. That's ridiculous and unprofessional. My team laughs our åsses off at the other team's chants when we are at meets.

Our team started a stupid cheer before races years before I arrived. They still do it. We haven't lost a regular season meet in 7 years. They really don't care if other teams laugh at them.

Our cheer went like this

Random teammate-

"4 on 3! 1, 2, 3!"

Everyone

"4!"

Did it once as a joke and didn't stop for 3 years.

It's still stupid.

otter wrote:

XC`kid wrote:

If there's chemistry between the kids, they'll organically become closer on bus rides, easy runs, etc. If you're trying to force it then it won't work.

WHATEVER you do, don't try to start some stupid cheer or team chant at races etc. That's ridiculous and unprofessional. My team laughs our åsses off at the other team's chants when we are at meets.

Our team started a stupid cheer before races years before I arrived. They still do it. We haven't lost a regular season meet in 7 years. They really don't care if other teams laugh at them.