Team sport is a type of competition where a fixed number of players form a group, or squad, to compete in a game with another competing team. The goal of a team is to win by scoring more points than the other team. These games require cooperation, communication, and strategy between teammates to be successful. Popular examples include basketball, football, soccer, baseball, hockey, and lacrosse.
Athletes who participate in team sports typically develop better social and emotional skills, both of which are important for success in school and life. These benefits may have to do with the fact that team athletes are often physically active, which increases blood flow to the brain and triggers chemicals called endorphins, thereby improving cognitive ability and mood. Additionally, team athletes must rely on each other to complete tasks during a match, fostering communication skills that can translate to the classroom and workplace.
Although there are many individual sports that involve only one competitor, most people think of team sports when they hear the term. This is due to the fact that team sports are more common and well known than individual or dual sports. Team sports have become an integral part of the fabric of cultures throughout history, reflecting the values and priorities of each culture. In addition to requiring collaboration and coordination, team sports also promote the values of perseverance and discipline, which can be beneficial in other aspects of life. For example, Olympic team athletes like gymnast Shannon Miller plan their schedules down to the minute, a discipline that can help them stay on track in the face of adversity.