What is a Team Sport?
A team sport is any game or match in which two or more players play as a group. The players may either take part in the whole event at the same time or alternate between participating and not participating (quad bobsledding). The teams compete against each other for points and winning is determined by team performance, rather than individual performance. Examples include basketball, rugby, cricket, synchronized swimming, handball, hockey, and baseball.
There are many benefits to playing a team sport, including the obvious physical health gains and social and emotional development. Athletes develop a sense of camaraderie and community, learn to cooperate with their teammates and respect each other, gain a greater appreciation for the talents of others, and learn how to make good decisions on behalf of the team. These skills are incredibly valuable in both the school and work environment.
Team sports also teach athletes how to deal with disappointment. This is a critical life lesson as it is impossible to be successful at everything in life all the time. It is important to learn how to cope with a loss and how to be a supportive teammate. Team sports allow athletes to understand the importance of losing and winning in a safe, encouraging environment.
It’s a competitive world we live in, and team sports are the perfect way to prepare kids for the type of competition they will encounter at school, in their chosen career, and in their personal lives. Participating in a team sport helps children build their self-confidence, encourages regular exercise and teaches them healthy eating habits that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.