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Introduction

A team can consist of two people, or a planet of them. Teams in some form have been around since the beginning of time. They have been formed for every reason imaginable. Animals and early man organized teams for hunting purposes. The construction of large objects and buildings such as the pyramids of many cultures required large, well- organized teams. There are many examples of cooperative efforts including sports and games throughout history. Any time two or more people are asked to work together to accomplish a single task, they must form a team. For this team to operate smoothly and efficiently the team members must learn to work together regardless of each individual's skill level. Some very large teams consist of a group of smaller teams, each working on a different component of a task to be put together, thus coming up with a finished product.

NEBULATRACK HELPS BUILD A WIDE VARIETY OF SKILLS

SOCIAL SKILLS

Cooperation	Working together for a common goal
Trust	Building feelings of group safety
Problem Solving	Finding one of many possible solutions
Adaptability	Adjusting one's actions and movements to work with others
Verbal Contact	Using speaking and listening skills
Tactile Contact	Touching other people and equipment

PERSONAL BEHAVIOR

Self- Control	Controlling one's own mind, body and speech
Creativity	Using inventive ideas
Spontaneity	Reacting or creating without specific direction
Commitment	Staying with a team until a task is accomplished

PERCEPTUAL AND PHYSICAL SKILLS
Visual Ability
Coordination
Reaction
Strength
Endurance

BASIC MOTOR SKILLS
Walking
Running
Balance
Leaning
Throwing and Catching

BUILDING TEAMS WITH NEBULATRACK

With NebulaTrack entire classes and other large groups can form teams that run smoothly while teaching a variety of other concepts. With different activities, basic concepts (i. e. left, right, over, under, through etc.) can be taught at even the earliest stages of motor skill development. NebulaTrack can be used in a number of ways to teach various motor skills as well as team skills. Objects can be lifted and lowered, tossed and caught, as well as rolled along an ever- changing path.

With timed activities, groups gain knowledge pertaining to the amount of time needed to accomplish a task. Each team can be timed in an attempt to improve cooperative efforts by finishing a task at a faster pace than in previous efforts. Most importantly, NebulaTrack can be used to build team concepts such as trust, cooperation and commitment while working together to accomplish a task.

Teams are formed by groups grasping the handles of each NebulaTrack section (two handles per person or with extremely large groups one handle per person). The basic unit of a NebulaTrack consists of three ten foot sections with handles. However, other sections may be added to make a team that consists of something as large as your entire school population.

BUILDING TEAMS WITH NEBULATRACK CONTINUED

The object is to roll a ball along a constantly moving, ever changing track from a starting point to a finishing point. As soon as the ball leaves one track that team needs to move as a group to position their track and receive the ball as it rolls down the other sections. This will require good communication amongst team members to move smoothly and efficiently to finish with rapidity.

With each of the following games the method for ball movement will vary. Some games require that a ball be tossed from team to team while others require the ball to roll along a path formed by one section of track to a path created by the next section. A team must remain still while the ball is on their section of track by not walking or moving forward. All other motions to project the ball along its path are acceptable.

Also, different types of balls should be experimented with for comfort zones within each developmental skill level. Try to improve your group skills by attempting tasks using the same team member positions throughout the year for an accurate assessment. For fun let team members change positions periodically.

TEACHING TEAM SKILLS CAN BE EASY & FUN

BASIC NEBULATRACK MOVEMENT PATTERN

As the ball leaves track section A, the A track team repositions their track at the end of track C to receive the ball and continue to send it along its desired path. These motions are repeated by each team.

NOTE: While the ball is touching a track section, that section's team must remain stationary.

4 LOOP- THE- LOOP PATTERN

An advanced skill is to roll the ball from one end to the other and then toss it into the air, recapturing it back at the beginning, creating a circular, figure "8" motion with the ball. Teams can also toss the ball to each other. How many times can you toss it and catch it before it touches the ground?

1. Teams should start in the above order.
2. Once Team A has passed the ball to Team B, Team A must run around the outside of both Teams B and C to get in position for the next ball roll.
3. Team B must pass the ball to Team C, and run around the outside of Team C to get in position for the next ball roll.
4. Team C must pass the ball to Team A, and run around the outside of Teams A and B to get in position for the next ball roll.
5. Once Team B has passed the ball to Team C, for the second time, the figure "8" has been completed. At this point, you may repeat or go on to one of the other activities.

TOSS ACROSS (SAVE THE WHALE) & STRETCHER CARRY TOSS ACROSS

Toss your ball by stretching your NebulaTrack and flipping it to the next section of your team. After tossing the ball, leap frog to the next position to move your ball to the desired destination.

STRETCHER CARRY

Place multiple balls on the starting track. Small teams must carry the balls to the next team track, roll them on to the next track, then move to their next position along the course to receive balls from the third section of the team. Other objects may be used and rolled or tossed from one section of the team to another.

NEBULA BOWL

Go bowling with NebulaTracks! Set up your pins, take aim and roll your ball down the track in an attempt to knock down as many pins as possible. Use the same scoring system as bowling. To increase difficulty, have each team start with the ball and NebulaTrack on the floor.

NEBULA WORLD OBSTACLE COURSE

First, raid your equipment room! Now, using the things you find, build an obstacle course. Make it as easy or as difficult as you like. Have your group build it as a teamwork exercise. Use cones to form a path. Mats can be mountains to go over. Hoops on stands can be tunnels to pass through. Stanchions can be corners to go around. You get the idea. You can also design a course that starts from your gymnasium and travels around your school campus with a finish in another room or back in the gym. Start the ball rolling and time your group from start to finish.

TIMED DISTANCE

How long does it take your team to roll a ball along your NebulaTrack down a one hundred yard stretch? How about around your school track or around the inside of your gym or multi- purpose room? Set up cones for zig- zag course or a large circle course. Go forward to one destination and return backwards.