A team sport is an athletic activity that involves more than one player. In a team sport, players compete against other teams, rather than individuals. Team sports include football, basketball, volleyball and water polo among others. Team athletes learn to communicate with each other throughout the game and develop a strong sense of teamwork that carries over into their social and work life. Taking part in a team sport also helps them to be more focused and able to focus on their school work, as the memorization, repetition and learning that occurs during team practice translates to a higher academic performance.
Team sports are an excellent way to teach kids how to be a leader and how to encourage teammates. Kids can take on leadership roles by leading warm ups during practice, stepping into a role during a game or even just being a leader on the sidelines. Developing leadership skills is important for children and can help them reach their full potential in both their personal and professional lives.
Kids also learn how to problem solve through participating in team sports. They will likely experience setbacks in a game that they cannot control, which will teach them how to work through these issues with their teammates. They will also learn to appreciate their teammates and see how their hard work contributes to the success of the team.
Athletes learn the importance of being punctual, which translates to their daily schedules. They often have a busy routine with multiple practices and games on the weekends and must be able to manage their time well. As former Olympic gymnast Shannon Miller says, “You really have to value your time if you’re an athlete.”