A team sport is an activity whose fundamental nature makes it impossible or impractical to play as a solo endeavor (Carron, 1988). These activities are played by groups of people in which teammates interact directly and simultaneously. The members of a team compete against opposing teams in order to win points and achieve a common objective. Team sports include a broad spectrum of activities, from synchronized swimming and doubles tennis to field hockey and soccer. There are also a number of sports that are played as teams but do not necessarily involve an opposing team or score-keeping, such as mountaineering and dragon boat racing.
Kids who participate in team sports learn a variety of valuable lessons that will help them throughout their lives. For example, they learn how to work together with their coaches and fellow players toward a common goal. They also learn the importance of practice, hard work and dedication to a task. This includes learning how to deal with defeat and turn a loss into a positive lesson to improve their performance.
They also learn the value of time management. From keeping a tight schedule of training sessions and practices to making sure they are on the bus on time for games, children learn how important every minute is in a sporting event. They also learn to value their teammates and the unique qualities each one brings to the game.
Another important life lesson is the value of perseverance and patience. Every athlete will face setbacks in their sport, even the best of them. Being able to cope with these difficulties and remain focused on the goals at hand will help them later in life when they encounter challenges.
Team athletes are exposed to a highly challenging social environment where group norms emerge and influence how the team functions as a whole (Carron, 1988). These norms determine how much effort the team is expected to exert during competition and provide a basis for sanctions for unacceptable behavior. If the team fails to comply with these expectations, it is likely to be punished through verbal criticism or ostracism from other members of the group.
The social and psychological aspects of team sports are a key factor in positive youth development. Under the right conditions, the positive social environment within a youth sport can facilitate an individual’s growth by developing supportive relationships and providing challenges that lead to personal and athletic success (Bruner, Eys & Turnnidge, 2013).
Kids will also develop critical-thinking skills through participating in team sports. Whether it is analyzing which teammates are open for a pass, observing the strengths and weaknesses of an opponent, or adapting to weather conditions, these skills will serve them well as they grow up. In addition, they will become better communicators because they will have to communicate with their coaches and teammates in a way that allows them to hear each other. This is a skill that will be useful in school, the workplace and their social life.