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GAME OF THE MONTH

All My Friends

This game is a great choice when getting to know your student-athletes and coaches early in the season. It also makes a great platform for setting expectations for physical, social, and emotional safety while engaging in an activity that will bring the group together and foster trust. It requires basic props (some flat cones will do!). 

Where: Open space

Objective: I can build a positive team culture. I can learn about my teammates and coaches. I can find a friend who shares a common interest with me.

Setup: The group will start by standing in a circle. Give every player a flat cone or other place marker except one (the person explaining this activity is usually the one who doesn’t get one as long as they play the game). Have participants place flat cones at their feet in the circle. The person explaining the game will go first and stand in the middle of the circle. 

Rules: The person in the middle of the circle will make a statement that begins with “All my friends…” and includes a fact that they might share with others. For example, “all my friends like ice cream!” At this time, anyone in the circle who likes ice cream will run across the circle and switch with someone else who also likes ice cream. Players should not switch with the person directly next to them. After each round, one person will be left without a spot. They will go to the middle and start the next round. The game ends when everyone has had a turn, time runs out (if you set a timer), or the lead coach decides it’s time to move on to the next activity.

Variations: This game is a great way to introduce basic expectations during practice by discussing how the team can meet expectations to keep everyone physically, emotionally, and socially safe.

Reflection question:

What did you learn about your teammates and coaches? Did you find you share common interests with others?

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This resource is intended for use by licensed NICA coaches.
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Click to see more NICA games at The Trailhead!

In addition to our growing library of games here on The Trailhead, NICA’s entire collection of on- and off-the-bike games are available in full PDF form in the NICA Coach Resources. To access the coach resources, log into Pit Zone and click the “Courses, Resources, & Benefits” button. Use the resource links on the dashboard, or the search function at the top of the screen.