Building for the Long Term

Legacy Plan

Part I: Your Teaching Why?

What is the long-term vision for your program?

What kind of impact do you want to have on your students? Go beyond spinning and performing?

If your students could only remember ONE thing about your program ten years from now, what would you want it to be?

What are the top 3 values you want your program to reflect?

Part 2: Craft Your Vision Statement

Write a single sentence that describes what your program is ultimately working toward. Focus on impact, growth, and values—not trophies.

Format Tip:
"To create a program that... [end result or mission] for [who] through [how]."

Example:

“To create a program that empowers young performers to grow in confidence and character through teamwork, creativity, and excellence in color guard.”

Write Out Your Vision Statement: Think Simon Sinek

What do you want to do?

How will you bring it to life?

What differentiates you, what values or principles will guide it?

Why do you do what you do?

Part 3: Your Coaching Philosophy

Answer these prompts to define your teaching style and values.

How do you handle discipline and accountability in your program?

How do you define success for your team (beyond scores)?

What do you believe every student deserves from a coach or leader?

Part 4: Build Your Dream Team

Who is currently part of your program’s support system?

What gaps exist?

What are the strengths?

Support System Map: Braindump a list of anyone who could be part of your ecosystem. How might you engage them to get involved?

Part 5: Recruitment

Answer these prompts to define your teaching style and values.

Where do most of your current members come from?

What recruitment efforts have worked best so far?

What current roadblocks do you have to recruit?

Build a Recruitment Calendar: build a year-long calendar with recruitment ideas that increase visibility, outreach, and collaboration.

Fall

Winter

Spring

Summer

In the next 30 days, I will take action on this recruitment idea:

Part 6: Building a Culture of Excellence

What does excellence mean to you? Define it.

If your team never won a trophy again, what could still make it excellent?

Developing a Team Creed: Create a set of short, repeatable “We will..” or “We believe…” statements that align with your team’s vision, values, and philosophy.

Examples to start:

“We will show up for each other with respect and focus.”
“We believe growth is more important than perfection.”

Part 7: Teambuilding and Trust

Think about it...

One way I support my team that most people don’t notice is…

What makes you feel safe enough to take risks in rehearsal?

What behaviors build or break trust between members?

How do you identify and address cliques or exclusion before it becomes a problem?

Team Trust Map: Identify what trust looks like in action and what behaviors to reinforce or correct in team culture.

Trust Builders: behaviors, habits, or routines that build a strong team bond

Trust Breakers: actions or habits that create division or drama

What or How I’ll Reinforce it

This season, I will build team trust by:

20 Quick Teambuilding Ideas

🤝 Connection Starters

“Rose/Thorn/Bud” – Each member shares one highlight (rose), one challenge (thorn), and one thing they’re excited for (bud).
Speed Friending – Set a timer and rotate partners every 90 seconds to answer a fun or thoughtful prompt.
Would You Rather? – Play a few rounds using silly or team-related scenarios (e.g., “Would you rather drop a rifle in finals or forget a step in front of a judge?”).
Name & Movement Game – Everyone says their name with a signature pose or flag move. The group repeats it.
Question of the Day – Start each practice with a quick, fun group prompt (e.g., “What’s your walk-on song?”).

🎨 Creative Bonding

Design-a-Flag Challenge – In groups, design a flag that represents your team or season theme.
Team Motto Poster – Collaboratively create a visual of your team creed or “why we spin.”
Hype Playlist – Have everyone contribute a song to the team warm-up playlist.
"If Our Team Were a Movie..." – Cast members, pick a title, write a trailer blurb.
TikTok Challenge – Let students collaborate on a fun (appropriate!) routine to build teamwork and laughter.

🌀 Movement & Trust

Guided Trust Walk – In partners, one person is blindfolded while the other guides them through simple spins or a space.
Mirror Movement – Partners face each other and mirror flag/body movement silently.
Rifle Relay – Team races with equipment: spin and run combinations, speed, and laughter guaranteed!
Balance Challenge – Stand in a circle and try to pass a flag without dropping it or moving your feet.
Toss Sync – Groups attempt a perfectly timed toss with no leader count—just trust and rhythm.

💌 Kindness & Encouragement

Secret Compliments – Everyone draws a name and writes an anonymous compliment or thank-you.
Encouragement Wall – Keep a poster up where team members can leave post-its for each other.
"You Rock" Pass-Along – Start with a small token (painted rock, charm, ribbon). Pass it each week to someone who showed leadership or kindness.
Lift-Up Circle – One member sits in the “hot seat” while teammates say what they appreciate about them.
Gratitude Stretch – During cooldown, have members share something they’re grateful for about the team.

✅ Tips for Success:

Keep it short: 5–10 minutes max.
Be consistent: Try one each week to build a habit.
Keep it inclusive: Adapt for accessibility and comfort.
Let students lead one each month for ownership.