Team chemistry is an elusive property even among professional teams. It was once said that the 1970’s Boston Red Sox would have 25 men get into 25 cabs indicating the lack of connectedness those players had with one another. Shaq and Kobe famously couldn’t get along in the 2000’s leading to a potential dynasty breaking apart. On the other hand, some teams just seem to thrive and enjoy playing with each other, like the 2014 San Antonio Spurs that beat the Miami Heat or the 1977 Portland Trailblazers with Bill Walton. I’ve played on teams where I felt like an outsider and didn’t totally fit in. I’ve played on teams where guys didn’t really like each other. I’ve also had the pleasure of playing on teams where everyone was on the same page, teammates liked each other, and we all came together to achieve a common goal. I wish I had known more about developing and fostering team chemistry when I was a player. Here are some ways you can help your team develop a winning chemistry.

1. Encourage your teammates to focus on what they can control.

Attitude, energy, and effort are three things that every player can control. If you can remind your teammates how important attitude, energy, and effort are through both your words and your actions you can boost the environment your team competes in each and every day.

2. Use the words we, us, and our.

We played well tonight. Our team needs to play harder. All of us moved the ball in the second half.
I played well tonight. You need to play harder. He didn’t make the pass when he should have.
Your language makes a difference. Is your team culture one that values ME or WE? A simple change in the words you choose can help shape the way your team bonds together.

3. Build relationships with teammates on and off the court.

You certainly don’t have to be best friends with everyone on your team, but the best teams I’ve played on or coached did things together away from basketball. A team dinner, bowling night, just hanging out, the activity really doesn’t matter as long as you’re building relationships. Short conversations not related to basketball before or after practice go a long way in connecting teammates. Tim Duncan of the Spurs was reportedly a master of this skill, taking the time to seek out teammates and have a quick conversation with them whenever possible.

4. Recognize the strengths and successes of your teammates.

Telling a teammate that is going to be guarding the other team’s best player, “We know you’re going to do a great job defending player x tonight,” can really boost their confidence. As a coach, I like to have players point out things their teammates have done well when we are talking after the game. That doesn’t mean a player can’t take the initiative to point out something their teammate has done to help the team. Look for opportunities to acknowledge teammates both in private conversations and larger team settings.

5. Demonstrate trust in your teammates.

You must believe that each player on your team will execute their role to the best of their ability. Tell them that you know they can do it (whatever IT is). Recognize how important their contributions are to the team’s success. This is critical whether they are the star player or the last player on the bench. Everyone contributes to team chemistry.

6. Set the tone to create the team chemistry you want.

How do you come into the gym each day? Do you shuffle in looking like you’d rather be anywhere else or is your positive enthusiasm contagious? It takes one player to set the tone and then others must follow. Either take the leadership role and set the tone or follow the teammate that best exemplifies what you want for your team. You must be a role model. It’s not enough to talk a good game, you have to back up your good intentions with action.

7. Stress the value of the team’s shared purpose.

Why is your team working so hard? What are your goals? Is there more to success than just winning? Help everyone keep focused on the big picture when times get tough or you lose a big game. Remind your team that everyone is essential to each other’s success.

Team chemistry can be difficult to attain and it is definitely hard to measure. One thing I do know is that playing on a team with good chemistry is a lot more fun than playing on a team with lousy chemistry. The more intentional you can be as a player about the type of environment you want to create, the more likely you are to find the chemistry you’re looking for. Try out these tips with your team and see if you can’t mix up some improved chemistry!

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