Instructions
- Read through each section carefully. The activities are designed to help you think about how you work with others in sports and physical activities.
- Complete each part in order. The sections build on each other, starting with key ideas and moving to real-life scenarios.
- Think about your own experiences in PE, on sports teams, or in group games. Use these memories to help you answer the questions.
- There are no single "right" answers for the scenario and reflection questions. Focus on explaining your reasoning clearly.
- Try the optional "Challenge Quest" at the end if you want to take your thinking a step further!
Part 1: Know Your Leadership Style
In any team, different leadership styles can emerge. Understanding them helps a group succeed. Read the descriptions below and match each style to its name and a potential team outcome.
Instructions: Draw a line connecting the Leadership Style to the correct Description and the most likely Team Outcome.
- 1. The Director (Authoritarian)
- 2. The Collaborator (Democratic)
- 3. The Supporter (Laissez-Faire)
- A. Asks for everyone's opinion and helps the group vote on a final decision.
- B. Trusts the team to work it out themselves, offering help only when asked.
- C. Makes clear decisions and gives specific instructions to the team to follow.
- X. The team feels trusted and independent, but might lack direction if the task is complex.
- Y. Decisions are made very quickly, which is great in a fast-paced game, but some team members might feel unheard.
- Z. Everyone feels involved and valued, which builds great team spirit, but making decisions can sometimes be slow.
Part 2: The Halftime Huddle - A Team Scenario
Read the scenario below and answer the questions that follow. Put yourself in the position of the team captain.
1. Identify the Problems: What are the two biggest problems your team is facing right now (besides the score)?
- A. ____________________________________________________________________
- B. ____________________________________________________________________
2. Make a Leadership Decision: Which leadership style (Director, Collaborator, or Supporter) would you use first to handle the arguing players? Explain your choice.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
3. Create a Collaboration Plan: Describe two specific steps you would take to get the whole team involved in deciding the strategy for the second half.
- Step 1: ____________________________________________________________________
- Step 2: ____________________________________________________________________
Part 3: Collaboration in Action - Design a Routine
Effective collaboration means considering everyone's needs and abilities. Your task is to design a quick and inclusive warm-up routine for a diverse group.
- A very athletic person who loves to run.
- A person who is new to the sport and a bit nervous.
- A person who has a minor wrist injury and needs to avoid putting weight on their hands.
Instructions: List three warm-up exercises for your group. For each exercise, explain why it's a good choice that includes everyone and contributes to the group's success.
Exercise 1: ___________________________________
Why it's a good choice: ___________________________________________________________
Exercise 2: ___________________________________
Why it's a good choice: ___________________________________________________________
Exercise 3: ___________________________________
Why it's a good choice: ___________________________________________________________
Part 4: Your Turn to Reflect
Think about a time you participated in a group physical activity (like a team sport, a group hike, or a dance practice). Answer the following questions based on your own experience.
1. What Went Well? Describe one moment where your group made a decision or worked together successfully. What made it successful?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
2. How Can You Improve? What is one specific thing you could do next time to be a better leader or collaborator in a group setting?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Challenge Quest (Optional Extension)
The Strategy Split: In a capture-the-flag game, two teammates have a strong disagreement. Teammate A wants to send everyone on an all-out attack to win quickly. Teammate B wants to leave half the team behind to defend your flag, which is a safer but slower strategy. How could you, as a team member, help them reach a group decision that respects both ideas?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Answer Key
Part 1: Know Your Leadership Style
- 1. The Director (Authoritarian) → C → Y
- 2. The Collaborator (Democratic) → A → Z
- 3. The Supporter (Laissez-Faire) → B → X
Part 2: The Halftime Huddle - A Team Scenario
(Note: Student answers may vary but should demonstrate similar reasoning.)
- Identify the Problems:
A. Poor communication / Conflict between teammates.
B. Low morale / Team members are discouraged and disengaged. - Make a Leadership Decision:
Example Answer: "I would use the Collaborator style first. It's important that the two arguing players feel heard, but also that the rest of the team gets a say. A Director style might make them angrier, while a Supporter style wouldn't solve the conflict." - Create a Collaboration Plan:
Example Step 1: "First, I'd get everyone's attention and set one ground rule: no blaming. I would ask each of the arguing players to quickly state their idea (one for offense, one for defense) to the whole team."
Example Step 2: "Then, I would ask for a quick vote or show of hands on which strategy the team wants to commit to for the start of the second half, or I might suggest a compromise that uses both ideas."
Part 3: Collaboration in Action - Design a Routine
(Note: Answers will vary. Look for justification that considers all three group members.)
- Example Exercise 1: High Knees.
Why: "This is a great cardio warm-up. The athletic person can do it intensely, the nervous person can do it at their own pace, and it doesn't use the wrists at all." - Example Exercise 2: Bodyweight Squats.
Why: "This works major leg muscles for everyone. It's a fundamental move the nervous person can learn easily, and it requires no wrist involvement." - Example Exercise 3: Walking Lunges with a Torso Twist.
Why: "This is a dynamic stretch that helps with balance and warms up the core. It can be done slowly and carefully, and it keeps everyone moving together as a group without pressure or wrist strain."
Part 4: Your Turn to Reflect
(Answers are personal. Assess based on genuine reflection and self-awareness.)
- What Went Well?: Student should describe a specific situation and identify a reason for success, such as "good communication," "everyone listened," or "we found a compromise."
- How Can You Improve?: Student should identify a specific, actionable behavior, such as "I could listen more before I speak," "I could encourage quieter teammates to share their ideas," or "I could be more positive when things aren't going well."
Challenge Quest (Optional Extension)
Example Answer: "I could suggest a compromise. For example, we could try Teammate A's all-out attack for the first three minutes. If it doesn't work, we switch to Teammate B's defensive strategy for the next three minutes. This respects both ideas, gives both a chance to work, and forces the team to work together and adapt. It's a group decision that combines both plans."