Team sport includes all sports that involve two or more players working together to achieve a common goal. Examples include basketball, football, soccer, volleyball, rugby, handball, cricket, and lacrosse (Melano, Ullrich-French, & Smith, 2019).
Team sports require commitment, training, and goal setting. They also teach children how to deal with setbacks and learn from their mistakes.
In addition, team sports are beneficial for developing social skills and communication. They teach youth to accept others’ opinions, listen carefully to one another, and seek feedback from a coach or other teammates.
Individuals who participate in team sports are more likely to have greater self-esteem and feel good about themselves, which can lead to better physical and mental health. They also experience fewer depression and anxiety symptoms.
Moreover, participation in team sports encourages adolescents to develop leadership skills (Zeng, Hipscher, & Leung, 2011; Couturier, Chepko, & Coughlin, 2005). It helps them understand the importance of cooperation and the value of working hard to achieve common goals.
The emergence of norms around team performance is also a key factor in the development of interpersonal relationships among team members (Crosbie, 1975). These norms guide behavior and reinforce positive and negative behaviors. Those who act appropriately are more likely to be rewarded by verbal recognition or high status in the group, while those who behave inappropriately are criticized and ostracized.