A team sport is an athletic activity in which a group of individuals on a single team compete against another group of individuals on the opposing team. The goal is to outperform and defeat the other team. Team members work together, communicate, and support one another in a supportive atmosphere to execute strategies and tactics while striving for the ultimate goal of winning. Many popular sports are considered team sports, including ice hockey, baseball, American football, association football, basketball, field hockey, tennis, water polo, rugby league, rugby union, cricket and handball.

Playing team sports teaches kids valuable life skills that they can carry with them throughout their lives. These skills include teamwork, resilience, and a strong work ethic. Studies show that participating in team sports also boosts kids’ confidence, fosters social connections, and helps develop their character.

Team sports require an immense amount of physical effort. Athletes are required to perform repeated skillful actions requiring maximal or near-maximal efforts (eg, changes in speed and direction, accelerations, jumps and kicks), interspersed with short recovery intervals of rest or low-intensity activities over an extended period of time (1-2 h). This demanding physical workload has been shown to improve athletes’ performance and overall health.

Kids learn to rely on and trust their teammates, which fosters a sense of community and support. They also learn to respect their peers and understand how everyone contributes to the success of the team. Additionally, playing team sports teaches kids how to handle success and failure, which helps them build resilience and cope with adversity.