A team sport is a type of athletic competition where a group of people is organized into opposing teams that compete against each other for victory. The members of the team act together toward a shared objective of outscoring the other team, which may be achieved through cooperation, sportsmanship, and good communication.
Most team sports involve brief periods of high-intensity exercise interrupted by low-level activities such as recovery, walking, and jumping. This pattern of activity is called a “stop-and-go” or “pulse” exercise and requires coordination between players to successfully execute a play.
Team sports develop many of the same soft skills learned in school: empathy, respect, and leadership. They teach young people how to work with a diverse group of individuals and they help them understand the value of collaboration over individual achievement. They also teach that winning is more valuable when it is achieved with a shared sense of effort and success. Being a part of a team sport teaches students how to cope with defeat and encourages them to be resilient when they encounter setbacks in life.
In team sports, the “the whole is more than the sum of its parts” concept is widely applied. The well-being of the group takes precedence over the needs and wishes of the individual members, which can be a difficult balance to strike. For example, athletes are expected to adhere to certain dress codes and timetables or risk being penalized. The result is a sense of belonging and a strong bond between teammates.