Recently I was working with some leftover webbing and this came to mind.....why not make, Why (K)Nots?
I cut up and prepared a bunch of these to try out with an upcoming high school soccer team program. It turned out to be a nice connection to what they were trying to achieve together - and, a nice giveaway to give them some connection to their experience on the high ropes course.
During the closing circle I brought these out and simply said, "I want to give you something to take with you." (I didn't mention what they were.) The first few faces were priceless - confusion sums it up. Then one of the participants said, "I get it - Why Not!! Get it?," showing others the find. Once the cat was out of the bag, I posed the question: What are some "why (k)nots" you have as a team and for yourself in this upcoming season?
Here are some of the comments I recorded (initially I felt answers were a bit superficial - so I kept asking "what else?" in order to get to some of the latter comments on the list):
It was an interesting and powerful beginning to a simple tool!
P.S. I received a nice email from the coach after their season telling me their "experience together was better than it has been for a while." Players "opened up" more during the season and they really "supported" each other. A "number of the players" had tied their Why (K)Nots to their bag handles to remind themselves of the time they learned together on the course.
Make It: I use a "hot knife" specifically made for cutting nylon rope, webbing, or cord. You can also use a nice sharp scissors and then burn the edges down with a lighter. My webbing lengths are about 9 inches (before putting in the overhand knot). I tried a few different colors - yellow and pink were the best. I used a black Sharpie. (I have not tried other colors yet.)
Extending the Idea: "Why not....write a word or two on the webbing where the knot will be and then "tie in" the commitment?
I'd love to hear about other experiences with this idea. Share in the comments.
All the best,
Chris Cavert, Ed.D.
I cut up and prepared a bunch of these to try out with an upcoming high school soccer team program. It turned out to be a nice connection to what they were trying to achieve together - and, a nice giveaway to give them some connection to their experience on the high ropes course.
During the closing circle I brought these out and simply said, "I want to give you something to take with you." (I didn't mention what they were.) The first few faces were priceless - confusion sums it up. Then one of the participants said, "I get it - Why Not!! Get it?," showing others the find. Once the cat was out of the bag, I posed the question: What are some "why (k)nots" you have as a team and for yourself in this upcoming season?
Here are some of the comments I recorded (initially I felt answers were a bit superficial - so I kept asking "what else?" in order to get to some of the latter comments on the list):
- Why not win all our games?
- Why not do the best I can?
- Why not show up to practice on time?
- Why not be ready for every game?
- Why not cheer each other on during the game?
- Why not watch each other's back? (Someone added later - "...on and off the field?"
- Why not play from our hearts?
- Why not make decisions together as a team?
- Why not share playing time better?
- Why not make the effort to check in with each other to see how we're doing?
- Why not appreciate our coaches for what they give us?
- Why not appreciate each other for the efforts we are making?
- Why not treat each other like family? (A number of voices chimed in at the same time..."on and off the field.")
It was an interesting and powerful beginning to a simple tool!
P.S. I received a nice email from the coach after their season telling me their "experience together was better than it has been for a while." Players "opened up" more during the season and they really "supported" each other. A "number of the players" had tied their Why (K)Nots to their bag handles to remind themselves of the time they learned together on the course.
Make It: I use a "hot knife" specifically made for cutting nylon rope, webbing, or cord. You can also use a nice sharp scissors and then burn the edges down with a lighter. My webbing lengths are about 9 inches (before putting in the overhand knot). I tried a few different colors - yellow and pink were the best. I used a black Sharpie. (I have not tried other colors yet.)
Extending the Idea: "Why not....write a word or two on the webbing where the knot will be and then "tie in" the commitment?
I'd love to hear about other experiences with this idea. Share in the comments.
All the best,
Chris Cavert, Ed.D.
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