Bad days (or weeks) happen. Athletes are people too, with their own daily struggles – a big test at school, a fight with a sibling or parent, or just an off day. There may be tears, raised voices, and eye rolling; or maybe they’re more disruptive or distracted than usual. These days can spread from athlete to athlete – or sometimes they hit the whole group at once like a bad cold.

Get ahead of the bad-vibes flu with these 3 low-energy activities to help the group relax and reset as a team.

1. Zen Couting

The Challenge:

Count to 10 as a group

How to:

• Only one person can talk at a time.  
• If two people speak at the same time, the group must start over.
• The same person can’t say two numbers in a row.
• You can’t use any gestures. Your body must stay still, except for your face.

Make it harder:

• Turn around to face away from the circle
• Walk around the room
• Count to a higher number

2. Helium Hula-Hoop

The Challenge:

Lower the Hula-Hoop to the ground without anyone losing touch of it.

How-To:

• Have each person place a hand in front of them with their index finger pointing out.   
• Place the Hula-Hoop flat on top of all of their index fingers so it rests evenly. Make sure their index fingers are touching the Hula-Hoop

Make it Harder:

• No talking
• Stand back up after the hoop is on the floor
• Only use your bad hand
• Stand on one leg

3. The Human Knot

The Challenge:

Get untangled without letting go of each other’s hands.

How-To:

Divide everyone into small groups of up to 12 and have each group form a tight circle.

Have each person raise their right hand and grab the hand of anyone in the group except the person standing next to them.

The everyone takes their left hand and grab the hand of anyone in the group except the people standing next to them and the person whose hand they are already holding.

Make it harder:

Make the groups larger.

Add restrictions, such as no talking.