Lots of sports teams take part in team bonding activities throughout their season to create closer bonds between athletes. However, a major question is: does it actually make a difference or is it a waste of people’s time?

Team bonding varies from many different activities depending on what the team and coaches want to get out of it. These can include playing games, service activities, or just spending time with your teammates. “Oh yeah [boys’ hockey] does a lot of team bonding activities like for example, we do pasta chapel pasta feeds, we have gone to Feed My Starving Children, [we] and have had team sleepovers as well,” sophomore hockey player Carter Callan said.

Lots of people see the benefit of team bonding and feel that it can make a difference on the field and in games. It builds a sense of trust and community between teammates, something considered valuable for success. “I think that when people bond as a team, they perform better because they’re not nervous about people around them and they feel like they have friendships in a safe zone. That way you know can reach your potential,” spirit shop mom Kari Shideman said.

Athletes have seen the effectiveness of team bonding firsthand, and just how important it truly is. Having a strong bond with your teammates is what can make the difference between a good team and a great team. “Yeah [team bonding is effective] because [girls’ volleyball] got second in state and made history and I think that is because our team was more bonded,” sophomore volleyball player Anna Johannson said.

While team bonding may be seen as effective, it does take up extra time within the week, which can sometimes be a little frustrating. Athletes need days off, and team bonding can take away from that. “I like team bonding and it is fun, but I don’t always like that it is on our days off. Sometimes I wish we just got to have a day off and didn’t have another thing added to the schedule,” freshman hockey player Grace Bendickson said.

Team bonding may pay off on the field, but something that is commonly wondered is if the athletes actually enjoy and look forward to these activities or would rather spend their time doing other things. “Our athletes enjoy it because we make it fun. It’s not a lesson or anything like that. It’s something that is a different fun activity, and then they always get treats afterwards. So life is always good,” football coach Sean McMenomy said.