A team sport is an athletic endeavor that requires cooperation, collaboration, and communication among teammates in order to win. The term is often used to refer to sports in which there are multiple teams that compete against one another, such as baseball, football, basketball, soccer, hockey, and tennis. These types of games also involve a wide range of skills and abilities, including physical fitness, cognitive skills, social skills, and motor skills.
A major benefit of team sports is that they teach children the importance of working together to reach a common goal. The diverse pairing of personalities and scenarios that occur in team sports will help your child become adaptable, persistent, and patient as they learn to work with others. In addition, according to the Janssen Sports Leadership Center, team sports can encourage a sense of group and individual responsibility that can carry over into life outside the court or field.
Kids who play team sports will also come to understand the importance of communication—both verbal and nonverbal. They’ll be able to listen to locker room pep talks, pick up on non-verbal cues from teammates, and express their thoughts during post-game debriefs. As a result, they’ll develop communications skills that will carry over into their academic endeavors as well.
Additionally, team athletes will often develop positive relationships with their coaches and fellow players—some of which can turn into long-lasting mentorships. Studies have shown that youth who experience positive sports mentors when they’re young are more likely to seek out similar role models later in life.