Use the following exercise to help your team co-create a shared identity and list of values that promote positive, protective, and substance-free norms. (Estimated time: 30 mins) Team Values Exercise: Building Your Team Identity
Coaches can harness this influence by intentionally shaping a positive team culture grounded in shared values, then reinforcing those values through consistent language, leadership, and rituals that celebrate what it means to be part of the team.
ACTION
INSTRUCTIONS & SAMPLE
Introduce the activity: “We’re going to do an exercise to build our team identity and define what kind of team we want to be. We’ll commit to values that support trust, hard work, growth, and safety.” On a whiteboard or flip chart, ask: “What words best describe teams you respect? What values make a team special?” Collect 6-10 words (ex. hard work, respect, discipline, trust, integrity, honesty, commitment).
Introduction & Alignment (2 mins)
Culture-Building Strategies:
Brainstorm Values (5 mins)
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Establish substance non-use as a team goal, just like any other athletic objective. Define what success looks like in terms of team behavior and choices. Be mindful of your reactions when you overhear talk of substance use among athletes.
Group Clustering & Selection (5 mins)
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Using sticky notes or a show of hands, vote for the top 3-5 core values as a team. Ex. “We’ll be known for: respect, accountability, & support.”
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For each chosen value, ask: “What does this mean on our team? What behaviors reflect it? What would it look like to violate it?” Capture in short bullet definitions around 1-2 lines each. For each value, ask: “How would this value guide our words or actions around alcohol, cannabis or other risky behaviors?” Ex. “Accountability means holding teammates to substance-free commitments.” “Support means you ask for help if you face pressure and never ride with an impaired driver.” Ask: “Given our values, how do we want others to see our team?” Draft a short identity statement. Ex. “We are the (team name): disciplined, united, and strengthened by respect and accountability for ourselves and others.” Have all athletes, including the captains, sign or verbally affirm the values and identity. Post the values and identity statements in the locker room, practice areas, team social media, etc.
Define each value together (5–10 mins)
At the start of the season, remind families: “Our goal is to support your child’s growth, safety, and success. When coaches and parents send the same message, athletes do better.” This helps establish shared responsibility from the beginning.
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Communicate values about healthy choices. Model healthy ways to handle stress, celebrate victories, and process losses. Be conscious of what you post and support on social media. Your athletes are watching.
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Apply each of these to a substance-free commitment (5 mins) Create an identity statement or tagline (5 mins)
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Commitment & Display (3 mins)
MADD Sports | Coaches’ Guide 8
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