Articulate to the class your behavioral expectations for competitive team-building games. One of the most important goals of team-building exercises is for students to work together and support one another. Encourage the use of positive comments and discourage put-downs and insults, whether they are aimed at opponents or members of the same team.
Split the class into several groups to compete in relay races. Relay races consist of teams competing to finish a series of multiple tasks before the other teams finish. It builds communications because the team must choose which team members can finish each task most quickly. It also builds a positive team environment as each member can be recognized for his own individual strengths. Team members will encourage one another to finish their task as quickly as possible to help the team win.
Play the "Human Puzzle" game, which builds teamwork skills for the entire class at the same time. Start by choosing one of the students to lead the group. Then tell the leader a shape, pattern or image you want him to create. He must then arrange his classmates into the shape or image by giving them only verbal instructions. For example, if you tell him to create a circle, he must move the members of his group into a circle using verbal commands. Allow each student to experience the leadership role by taking turns each game. This will give everybody a chance to practice playing the different roles on the team.
Split the class into two-person groups to develop communication skills in the game of "Minefield." In this game, one person is blindfolded and the other person guides him across a "minefield" with many obstacles that the blindfolded partner must avoid. The guide cannot touch the blindfolded partner at any time, but can only offer verbal clues. If they touch at any time, both players must go back to the beginning of the minefield and start again. You can increase the difficulty of this activity by simply adding more obstacles to the minefield. Students will learn how to trust team-members and how to give and follow directions.