A team sport is any athletic activity where the fundamental nature of the game or sport necessitates the participation of multiple individuals working as a team and that it would be inherently impossible or highly impractical to execute the sport as a single-player endeavor. Examples of team sports include hockey, basketball, football, baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, water polo and rowing.
In a team sport, players work together towards a common objective which is usually to win. As a result, playing on a team teaches children life skills such as cooperation, respect, commitment and the ability to make friends. Children also learn the value of hard work and that it pays off when they practice and strive to be better than their opponents on the field or court.
Moreover, team athletes have a great deal of responsibility for their actions and the behavior of other teammates on the field. They must show up to practice on time and follow the instructions of their coaches, while putting in a strong effort during each session. This teaches children to be responsible and that there are benefits to being on time and working diligently toward a goal (Janssen Sports Leadership Center, 2014).
Finally, team sports teach children how to deal with defeat. This is especially true of Olympic sports, where the results can be very disappointing if your child doesn’t win a medal in a given event. As a result, children will learn how to persevere through setbacks and develop resilience that will help them in all aspects of their lives.