Navigating Team Cliques
Team dynamics can be tricky. Whether you're coaching, playing, or even just watching from the sidelines, you've probably noticed how cliques tend to form within groups. It’s natural for people to gravitate toward those they click with, but when it comes to team sports, social divisions can mess with the vibe—and ultimately, the team's success if it goes too far. So, how do you navigate those cliques and maintain unity when you’ve got some social barriers in play? Let’s dive in.
Check out this offer, and then read the rest below!
10% OFF for a Limited Time
---
10% OFF for a Limited Time ---
Not only will you be repping some great gear, but profits from sales come directly back to us so we can continue to put out awesome content like this! USE CODE "305LAX10" to get 10% OFF your entire order!
PS. Second Slide is the best in the game for all things Team Stores - Want your own? Visit secondslide.io and tell them Laxithe305 sent you for a discount to get going.
Navigating Team Cliques
Cliques aren’t always about exclusivity or drama; sometimes, it’s just about familiarity. Players who have grown up together, go to the same school, or play similar positions naturally form bonds.
The key is to notice when those smaller groups start to impact the larger team dynamic—like when inside jokes make other players feel left out or when certain groups start dominating team decisions.
You don’t have to be best friends with everyone to be a great teammate or have a positive team culture. Not everyone on your team is going to be your closest friend, and that’s okay (and normal). What matters more is that there’s mutual respect, support, and a shared commitment to the team’s goals. Being a good teammate and creating a positive team culture means communicating well, showing up for each other, and keeping the environment positive—even if you’re not hanging out off the field. Some of the best teams are built on respect, not necessarily friendship.
The first step is simple: acknowledge that cliques exist. Pretending everyone is besties won’t fix the problem. Instead, focus on how to bridge those gaps.
**Side Note: For the following ideas, even if you aren’t a captain, coach, or in a leadership position, you can take ideas to the coaches or captains. Let them know you feel - like there may be a divide, or whatever it is. Then you can offer some suggestions on how to improve it and see what they have to say as well! Always approach conversations like this with as much positivity as you can, even if you are frustrated with how things are.
Build Team Culture Around Inclusivity
A strong team culture can override social divisions. The truth is: the team’s success and the way it feels to be a part of it, depends on everyone—not just the smaller groups that already know each other well. Here are some simple ways the team can come together:
Create team-wide traditions that involve everyone—like pre-game chants, team meals, or post-practice rituals.
Host bonding activities where players are mixed into different groups than usual.
Change up routines—even small things like who you warm up with or where you sit during team talks can go a long way in breaking down cliques.
Make space for team check-ins. Have honest (but respectful) conversations about how things feel within the group. Sometimes just opening the door to talk about it changes everything.
Be intentional about including others. If you're planning something outside of practice—like grabbing food or hanging out—try inviting someone new.
Have classroom activity time. Open up conversations about what it means to be a teammate. Share stories, do team-building exercises, or even just have a heart-to-heart about how everyone’s actions impact the group. Building empathy helps players see each other as humans first, teammates second, and friends third.
When a team creates a shared identity and mission, it becomes easier to step out of your usual circle and truly connect with the group.
Use tournaments, travel time, etc. as opportunities to connect with teammates, do team bonding, and close the gap between all the cliques.
Keep Communication Open
If you notice certain players are feeling excluded or if cliques are becoming toxic, don’t let it fester. Address the issue in a way that doesn’t single anyone out but still emphasizes the importance of unity.
Options could be:
1) As a coach or captain you could address the team with something like, "I’ve noticed some of us are sticking to our usual groups, and I’d love for us to branch out more. Let’s make an effort to connect with different people this week.” After acknowledging it, teams need to follow some of the steps above and create an environment that encourages players to do this. Just putting out a general statement is great to bring it to the forefront, but it's not enough for actual change. It's too easy for players to just keep doing what they are doing unless there is action to change it.
2) For more serious issues, private one-on-one conversations will likely be necessary. Approach those talks with curiosity, not judgment. No matter if it's coach to player or player to player, similar techniques can be applied. Confrontation is often a great opportunity for creating stronger bonds. See it as that, as opposed to confrontation or more serious conversations always being a scary or negative thing.
Creating a space where others feel comfortable opening up is important. This may be hard if it's someone that you think is part of a problem or that you're frustrated with, but it's necessary to approach it lightly if you expect to get anywhere productive with the conversation. And you may actually learn something from them, or about them/their perspective that can help you move somewhere more positive with the team.
Additional Tips:
- Celebrate Everyone’s Strengths - One of the easiest ways to combat cliques from a leadership position is to make sure every player feels valued. When players feel like their skills and contributions matter, it goes a long way for the culture of the team and how well everyone gets along. If certain players feel they don’t matter, it could create divides in the team. Highlight individual and team accomplishments, and try to let everyone have moments to shine—whether it’s on the field or in the locker room, during team bnding, etc.
- Lead by Example - Whether you’re a player or a coach, you can help set the tone and can be a part of the solution. If you’re making an effort to connect with everyone on the team, others will likely follow. Show that you value every teammate equally by giving everyone a chance to share their voice, contribute ideas, and feel seen.
The Bottom Line
Cliques don’t have to be the enemy of a great team dynamic, and are actually very normal in most teams to an extent. With some intention, open communication, and a focus on inclusivity, you can turn social divisions into an opportunity for growth. At the end of the day, being part of a team is about more than just winning games or getting recruited; it’s about building connections and learning how to work together—on and off the field. These are skills that you will need at the next level or whatever you do in your future anyway.
