Team cohesion

Great teams are more than collections of great players. In any team sport, success depends upon the ability and willingness of players to work together to achieve the common goal.

The ability of a group of individuals to work together is described as a team's cohesion. Team cohesion is affected by a number of factors, including the attitudes and personal qualities of individual members, the effectiveness of communication within the team, and the qualities and behaviour of the team's leaders.

Successful teams understand team cohesion, and the factors which make a team work effectively. Sport psychologists can help coaches and teams develop strategies for improving team cohesion and attitude. They can assist by identifying barriers to team cohesion, and encouraging individual commitment and values in a team environment.