Team Dynamics Learning objectives To understand the dynamics of a group and the factors influencing them. To be able to describe how group are formed. To understand the terms ‘ringlemann effect’ and ‘social loafing’

Team Dynamics The task of bringing together a collection of performers and moulding them is a key priority in many sports. ‘A champion team will defeat a team of individual champions.’

Team Dynamics A group definition: “a number of people who communicate with each other and who work towards a common objective or goal” According to Carron, a group will only form a ‘bond’ if the following characteristics are in place. 2 or more individuals interacting A collective identity A sense of a shared purpose or goal A clear structure of communication

Team Dynamics Are these classified as groups? A collection of people who are weight training in a sports centre? Spectators at a football match? Spectators at a horse race? A tennis doubles pair?

Stages of group formation Groups are formed over time by passing through 4 stages: Forming: Group gets together. They will start to test relationships and work out their roles. Storming: During this stage there is a heightened tension. Rebels may emerge against the leader and competition for status/roles begins.

Stages of group formation Norming: Norms/rules/behavioural standards are stabilised. Co-operation starts to replace conflict and group cohesion begins. Performing: Maturation of group has been achieved and relationships established. The group is now able to work as a unit with a primary goal being group success.

Stages of group formation These stages take time to develop. New player/players leaving calls for adjustments and performance can be negatively affected. Different sports take different times for teams to mature and for teams to remain on top. The life of successful teams depends on a number of factors e.g. type of sport, age of players.

Group Cohesion What is group cohesion? The word cohesion comes from the Latin ‘cohaesus’ meaning ‘’to cleave or stick together’. A group which is cohesive is one that sticks together and remains united in order to achieve its goals. ‘‘The creation of team spirit and the building of ‘the good team’ is one of the coaches most important jobs’’

Group Cohesion Definition: “a dynamic process which is reflected in the tendency of the group to stick together and remain united in the pursuit of its goals and objectives”

Group Cohesion There are 2 models of group cohesion: Task Cohesion – Relates to the way in which team members work with each other to successfully complete a task Task cohesion is most important within interactive team games

Group Cohesion Social Cohesion – Involves personal relationships within the group and relies on individuals enjoying social interaction. Social cohesion is most important in co-active sports e.g tennis doubles

Influences on Cohesion It is suggested there are a number of factors that contribute to the cohesion of a group. Environmental factors: These include the size of the group and external threats. i.e. media stories. Personal factors: Satisfaction Similarity of experience

Influences on Cohesion Research has identified the following strategies to help build group cohesion: Having a group name Having a uniform Using certain colours / jackets Using motivational posters Having a group anthem

Factors Affecting on Cohesion According to Steiner (1972) the success of team is based on the following formula: Actual productivity = Potential productivity – losses to group processes

Factors Affecting on Cohesion In order to improve team performance coaches need to increase the motivation and performance of individual players (potential productivity) whilst reducing faulty group processes: Group roles Social Loafing Arousal Co-ordination Group cohesion

Factors Affecting on Cohesion The Ringlemann Effect: Ringlemann measured the amount of effort exerted by individuals participating in tug of war events with increasingly large numbers of team members (up to 8 in a team) As the group/teams increased in size, the individual effort of each team deteriorated.

Factors Affecting on Cohesion Ringlemann attributed this phenomenon to reduced co-ordination and decreased motivation. Tendency for some individuals to put in less than maximum effort when working as part of a group.

Factors Affecting on Cohesion Social Loafing: This is where a performer attempts to hide when in a group situation. Often the player will ‘coast’ through the game and not performing to their maximum potential.

Social Loafing This phenomenon has been attributed to a number of factors: Not wanting to be a ‘sucker’ and do all the work for others who are not so committed The belief that others will cover for your lack of effort The belief of the individual that their efforts will make little difference The individual effort not being recognised i.e. lost in the crowd

Methods to overcome Social Loafing Identifying situations which allow social loafing to occur. Identifying individual’s contribution within the team effort e.g. team statistics Increasing peer pressure Giving more responsibility/setting individual roles/targets Ensuring individuals recognise the roles of others Using extrinsic motivation – e.g. man of the match awards

Exam Style Questions. 1. Games players often play in teams and have to ensure that they have sufficient energy to last the duration of the match.   Carron (1982) defined cohesion as ‘a dynamic process which is reflected in the tendency for a group to stick together and remain united in the pursuit of its goals and objectives’. (b) Name and explain the four stages that teams (groups) go through during their formation. (4 marks)

2. Elite performers often train by themselves, but may on occasions train as part of a group.   (a) How would you distinguish a group from a collection of individuals? (4 marks)