Blog #83 – HOW TEAM GOALS IMPACT INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCES

When coaching my mathematics team, I made sure that each team member understood how team goals impacted individual performances. My experience was that team goals impacted individual performances positively. Initially, students felt that they needed to focus on individual goals to succeed. Early each year, I detailed how team goals would also help each of them.

In developing the team plan for success, I informed them of how our team ranked in our district, regional and state. I then told them what areas we needed to work on (Number Sense, Calculator Applications and Mathematics). A step-by-step plan was outlined. Memorization of formulas was emphasized. Students were informed of the tournament schedule and why we would be attending each one. Students were also told how practices would be conducted. A combination of lectures and taking of practice tests were planned for each week. Once tournaments began, students got an analysis of how our team’s performances compared with that of competitors. In general, I tried to set high expectations for my team. Our ultimate goal was to be the state’s top team in each of the three mathematics events.

As the year progressed, students worked diligently on team goals. They knew a team that could compete for state championships would produce outstanding performances by individuals. During my coaching career, there were always numerous outstanding performances in all of the grade levels. Because of the quality of the team members, competition within the team was fierce.
As students worked at being the best in their grade level and then being the best on the team, individual performances improved. Knowing how stress could impact team members negatively, I emphasized that students should focus on doing their best at each practice and at each tournament they attended. I measured success by knowing that each student was improving steadily. I also worked at creating an environment where team members were having fun.

Since students were aware of my team’s tradition of excellence, they worked diligently at continuing that tradition. Team members were always supportive of each other. Sharing responsibility for the team’s performance was something that everyone accepted. Since my teams were consistently ranked among the state’s best, other teams around the state idolized them. As members of the team, they shared in the respect that was extended to our team. Since they felt good about how they were admired, students developed positive self-confidence. Years after competing for me, ex-students emphasized how team goals made them excel individually.

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