Any sport where individuals divide into rival teams and compete against each other with the goal of outscoring the opposing team. This includes sports such as basketball, football, baseball, hockey, volleyball, and soccer. A variety of other sports qualify as team sports as well, including cricket, water polo, handball, and rowing. Members of a team work together to accomplish an ultimate goal, which is generally to win. They set goals, make decisions, communicate, manage conflict, and solve problems in a supportive, trusting environment in order to succeed.
One of the most important things a team sport teaches is how to collaborate with teammates. This is a valuable skill that can be transferred to many areas of life. According to the Janssen Sports Leadership Center, working with a group of people who all have different strengths helps athletes become adaptable and persistent. It also teaches them to respect each other, act in unselfish ways, and make good choices.
In addition, working on a team sport teaches the importance of being a good sportsman. This means showing respect for opponents and putting winning into perspective. It is also helpful to be able to celebrate a victory with teammates and to share the burden of a loss. It is also beneficial to learn how to be a good listener. This is especially important in team sports because it allows the players to hear each other and make decisions based on feedback. It is important for teammates to know what each other is thinking and feeling in order to effectively execute a game plan.