A team sport is a game or activity where the fundamental nature of the sport necessitates the participation of multiple individuals working together as a team and it is inherently impossible or highly impractical to execute the sport as a single-player endeavor. Unlike individual sports, where athletes are competing for their personal bests and are encouraged to push themselves beyond what they think is possible, team sports emphasize collaboration and cooperation. In addition, team sports typically require greater physical and mental preparation than individual sports, allowing coaches to spend more time working on strategy and technique with the entire team.
Whether playing baseball or Ultimate Frisbee, a team sport requires continued focus, delayed gratification, dedication, and communication between teammates. This type of social skill carries over to other aspects of life such as school, work and relationships.
Team sports provide youth with an avenue to develop a wide variety of competencies including social skills that are likely to carry over into nearly all areas of their lives (e.g., the workplace, family). In addition to teaching young people how to work with their teammates, team sports also teach them to recognize and value the unique abilities of each member of the team. The more they practice these skills, the better they become at putting them to use when it matters most. In addition, students learn to collaborate with their peers, which is a valuable skill that will be essential for their success in future careers and lifelong relationships.