Can self-absorbed coach salvage team spirit?

Your kids and their buddies enter the regional ice sculpting contest. But when the competition begins, team harmony is squashed. Each believes he's the best sculptor and thinks only he can bring the team to victory. By the time the team is done squabbling, the ice is melted, as are any dreams of winning.

Your talent shines brighter when you work with your teammates instead of against them—that's the lesson of Rebound, now out on home video. After watching the movie, use our questions below for a family huddle about what it means to be a good teammate. Then, play our game, “Double Dribble,” to bring the lesson to life!

The movie features Coach Roy (Martin Lawrence), an egocentric college basketball coach focused more on endorsements than the game. After accidentally killing the opponent's mascot in an outrage, Coach Roy gets booted from the league until he can redeem himself.

Coach Roy is shocked to find no j ob offers—that is, until his alma mater, the Mount Vernon Junior High Smelters basketball team, asks him to coach. He accepts the position, seeing it as a public relations stunt to get his old j ob back.

At first, Coach Roy is so into his image that he couldn't care less about his pathetic players, who lose games by more than 100 points. But when he turns around his attitude and starts to work with the hopeless hoopsters, Coach Roy learns how to be successful on and off the court.

Talk Together

Take turns naming your favorite players on your favorite sports teams. Now imagine a game where there's no one else playing except for your favorite athlete. How talented would he or she be facing the opponent alone? What would the final score of the game be? Would it be a fun game to watch?

Have your kids imagine they're on Coach Roy's college team at the beginning of the movie. How would his huge ego and lack of leadership affect the way your team played basketball?

At the end of the movie, Coach Roy feels differently about what's more important—teamwork or talent—than he did at the beginning. Which version of his personality did you like better? Do you think there's ever a time when it's better to put teamwork on the back burner and let your talent shine?

Play Together: Double Dribble

You'll get a taste of the importance of teamwork after playing this fun food game!

You will need:
• Messy foods in bowls—such as spaghetti, pudding, ice cream with chocolate syrup
• One bib or paper towel per person
• One blindfold per person
• One spoon per person
• Newspaper or large towels
• Old shirts
• Timer

Each person should put on a shirt that can get dirty. Place newspaper on the floor to keep it clean. Put the bowls of food on the center of the newspaper

Divide players into pairs. Give each player a spoon, blindfold, and a bib or paper towel to wear as a bib.

There will be two rounds: In the first round, partners are blindfolded and must use the spoon to feed each other without looking. Set the timer for one minute and play. The goal is to get all the food in your partner's mouth, and none on his face or bib.

The first round will be a messy one. Explain to your kids that this round is like a bunch of talented players who don't see or connect with their teammates to reach the goal.

For the second round, repeat the activity, but take the blindfolds off. Set the timer for one minute. The goal is the same: to get the food in each other's mouths without spilling. This should be much easier.

When this round is over, explain that when you're a part of a team, you should use your skills for the good of the group, not j ust for showing off. By recognizing their teammates' talents, your kids will learn how to slam-dunk their way to success.

copyright © 2005 Cinematters