Team sport is any sports activity involving players who compete against one another in a coordinated manner and aim to outperform and defeat opponents. It also fosters teamwork and good sportsmanship.

The concept of team sport is relatively new and has gained prominence only recently. The majority of athletic activities are not classified as team sports because the fundamental nature of the sport does not require multiple people working together. However, there are some specialized cases where teamwork is required. These include synchronized swimming and doubles tennis, where two athletes collaborate to perform a coordinated routine against another pair of competitors. Other examples are sports with team ratings and formations, such as relay races, where the performance of each athlete contributes to a team’s overall score.

Professional team sports are characterized by the impossibility or impracticality of executing the sport as a single-player endeavor. They typically involve the combined labor of teams supplied by clubs to produce a saleable product – a game or contest. The economics of these sports are complicated by the existence of externalities in production, resulting in a complex network of leagues, individual teams and club-based organizations that supply them.

The practice of team sports can teach kids how to work with others, a skill that will help them in the workplace and other aspects of life. It can also teach them how to cope with failure and loss. Being part of a close-knit team can boost a child’s self esteem. It can also teach them how to be a good role model and show respect for their opponents, regardless of whether they are winning or losing.