A Team sport is an athletic activity that requires the collaboration of multiple individuals to be executed effectively. It is inherently impossible or impractical for the sport to be successfully performed by a single individual acting alone. Some examples of team sports are football, basketball, hockey and baseball. Some individual sports that can also be considered team sports are tennis, golf and shooting sports.
Kids who play team sports learn the value of collaborating with their teammates. They learn to recognize that they can’t succeed without the help of others, especially when there are different strengths and weaknesses on the field or court. Working with a diverse group of peers teaches kids how to adapt their own play and be patient when trying new strategies.
Another lesson learned from team sports is how to work well with their teammates, both on and off the field. This helps them to understand how a person’s behavior can affect the performance of the entire team. They learn how to make good decisions and be supportive of one another, despite disagreements or mistakes. They also learn how to take the time needed to practice their sport, because every minute counts.
Team athletes are rewarded for their positive behaviors with verbal appreciation, greater prestige within the group and increased social support (Crosbie, 1975). Conversely, individuals who behave negatively may be sanctioned with verbal criticism, ostracism or physical abuse. This is a result of the existence of group norms that dictate what behaviors are appropriate for members of the sport team.